Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will enable users to start a chat with those who do not even have a WhatsApp account. It is still in development and was spotted on latest Android beta build 2.25.22.13 by WABetaInfo.
According to the report, hidden in the code of the beta release, a new feature will enable users to chat with non-WhatsApp users within the app through a feature called Guest Chats. With the help of the Google Play Beta Program, the discovery reveals that the chats will happen within the WhatsApp app, yet with limited features.
Guest Chat interface appears to be set up just to enable basic communication. These chats will not support media sharing, GIFs, voice messages, video messages, or even voice/video calls. Users can only communicate via text. These restrictions are likely in place to ensure safety and security.
Despite the restrictions, Guest Chats will be end-to-end encrypted like standard chats on WhatsApp.
To start a Guest Chat, a WhatsApp user will have to send a unique chat link to the non-user. When the non-WhatsApp user clicks the link, it will open a limited chat panel within WhatsApp app, without having to create an account.
Since the feature is still in development so it is not known when it will be widely available. More features can be seen in the next weeks on beta testers. WhatsApp has not officially announced when the Guest Chat feature will be released.
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