WhatsApp, the popular Meta-owned instant messaging platform, is working on a new upcoming feature called “guest chats” that could allow WhatsApp users to message people who don’t have the app — no download, no signup, just a link.
Spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.22.13 by WABetaInfo, a known WhatsApp tipster publication, this upcoming feature will allow users to generate a private chat link and send it to anyone—via text, email, or even social media.
The recipient doesn’t need to install the app or create a WhatsApp account—they can simply open the link in their browser and instantly join the one-on-one, end-to-end encrypted chat.
How Guest Chats Will Work:
- A WhatsApp user creates a unique chat link and shares it via text message, email, or other social platforms.
- The recipient—who doesn’t need a WhatsApp account—clicks the link to join the chat through a browser, likely via a lightweight interface similar to WhatsApp Web.
- The chat is encrypted and takes place in a private, one-on-one chat window, just like regular WhatsApp conversations.
- The recipient or the guest does not need to install the app or create a WhatsApp account.
However, there are limitations:
- No group chats—guest chats are strictly one-to-one.
- No sharing of media (photos, videos, GIFs, or voice messages).
- Voice and video calls are not supported.
While the limitations may seem restrictive, it’s intentionally kept that way to deliver simple, fast, and secure communication without requiring a long-term commitment.
Security And Privacy Will Remain Priority
Despite the absence of an app, guest chats will still be protected with end-to-end encryption, which means that no one—not even WhatsApp—can read the messages. This aligns with WhatsApp’s broader efforts to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which calls for messaging apps to work across platforms.
Availability
There’s no official launch date yet. The guest chat feature is still under development and isn’t available for testing, even in the beta build. We can expect to get more details about the release date as it gets closer to launch.
For now, guest chats remain a preview of what’s to come, but they mark a clear step toward a more open, accessible, and flexible—without compromising on privacy.
