Finally, chat without registration: Meta has begun testing a feature that allows WhatsApp users to communicate with people who are not registered on the platform, by creating a link and inviting them to a conversation conducted via the app’s web interface, without the need to download an app or open an account.
The world’s most popular messaging app, WhatsApp, is in the midst of developing a new service that will, for the first time, enable communication with users who are not part of its registered customer base. After months of trials among Android users, Meta is now expanding tests to Apple operating systems and browser versions.
This represents a significant conceptual shift for the company, as communication until now relied solely on phone number identification and full registration in the system. The new service, called “Guest Chat,” allows a registered user to generate a special link from the app’s invite menu and send it to anyone via SMS or email.
When recipients click the link, a browser window opens, allowing them to join the conversation as temporary users. The process requires guests to enter only their name and accept the terms of use, after which they can start a direct conversation with the sender. It is important to clarify that only the guest can initiate the chat after opening the link, and they will appear in the system under the nickname “Guest,” with a note indicating they are not registered on WhatsApp. This move is intended, among other things, to increase the app’s market share in countries like the United States, where the service is still less common compared to other regions worldwide.
One of the main questions raised with the development’s reveal concerns information security and privacy. The company clarifies that chats conducted in guest mode will be protected by end-to-end encryption, just like regular conversations between registered users. The system generates a unique identifier for the guest in the browser, used to create a secure encryption key. This means that even WhatsApp itself cannot read the messages, and only participants in the conversation have access to the transmitted information. Although the app’s strict registration walls are being broken down, the company does not appear to compromise the security standards it has maintained for years.
However, at this stage, there are significant limitations on the use of the guest service. The current version does not support voice messages, file sending, stickers, or GIFs. Additionally, voice or video calls cannot be conducted via this interface, which is limited to text-only communication. Another restriction concerns the duration the chat remains active; for now, it has been decided that the conversation will be deleted and expire after 10 days of inactivity. Despite these limitations, the ability to quickly contact someone without a lengthy registration process could provide an excellent solution for businesses or one-time logistical needs.
As of today, the feature is open to a limited number of beta testers among iPhone, Android, and web users. No exact schedule has been published for a wide release to all users worldwide, but it is expected that the service will be gradually rolled out in the coming months. The move toward a model allowing external access to the interface without an account marks a new phase in Meta’s strategy, aiming to make WhatsApp a universal communication tool that transcends traditional registration barriers. While nearly 100% of users in Israel already have an active account, for the international market, this is news that could change usage habits.