After months of testing on Android, Meta is bringing guest chats to beta testers on iOS and the web. Here’s how it will work.
Guest chats now available to a limited number of beta testers
As spotted by WABetaInfo, some WhatsApp users on iOS TestFlight and the web beta are gaining access to guest chats.
The feature, which first appeared for Android beta testers last August, lets WhatsApp users start conversations with people who do not have an account.
With guest chats, users can generate a chat link from the “Invite a friend” section and share it via SMS or other apps. When opened, the link launches a secure chat session through WhatsApp Web.
Here’s WABetaInfo:
Once users continue as a guest, WhatsApp Web generates a unique identifier that’s used to create the encryption key. This means that guest chats are secured by end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp cannot see the content of the messages, and only the participants in the conversation can read them.
According to WABetaInfo, once a WhatsApp user sends a link to a guest chat, the conversation can only be started by the guest. This means that the guest needs to open the link, accept WhatsApp’s terms, enter their name, and initiate the chat. Importantly, anyone who gets the invite code can join the chat.
Once the chat starts, WhatsApp adds a “(Guest)” label to their name and adds a disclaimer saying “Not registered with WhatsApp.” Of course, guests can create an account. This is likely the main driver behind the feature, since WhatsApp remains less popular in markets such as the United States despite widespread use elsewhere.
Currently, the feature does not support group chats, voice messages, attachments, stickers, GIFs, or voice and video calls. In addition, guest chats are currently set to expire after 10 days of inactivity.
Right now, the feature is available to a limited number of beta testers on iOS, Android, and the web, and there is no timeline for a wider rollout.
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