The WhatsApp messenger has begun testing a new feature designed to simplify communication with individuals who are not registered on the platform. According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the WABetaInfo portal, this mode—which began testing on the Android platform several months ago—is now becoming available for iOS and web version users as well.
The new mechanism is built around a specific invitation link. A user generates a link in the "Invite a friend" section and sends it to the recipient via SMS or other applications. When the guest user accesses the link, they can initiate a secure conversation through WhatsApp Web without the need for registration. During this process, the system generates a unique identifier, and the chat remains protected by end-to-end encryption.
However, the new functionality includes certain limitations:
- Group chats and calls are not supported;
- Sending files and attachments is not possible;
- The chat is automatically deleted if there is no activity for 10 days;
- The conversation must be initiated by the guest user.
Experts suggest that the primary goal of this move is to attract new users in markets where WhatsApp is currently less popular, particularly in the United States, and to encourage them to complete full registration in the future. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, remains one of the world's most widely used messaging platforms, constantly evolving its interface to compete with other communication tools by prioritizing user accessibility and data privacy through its signature encryption protocols.
