A new feature comes to WhatsApp on Android & iOS devices. The new feature is Guest Chat. According to WhatsApp Beta Info, where it had revealed the guest conversations, which is to feature a new feature, are in development in the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.13 upgrade. Users will be able to chat with individuals who do not have a WhatsApp account on Android, iOS, and even the web, thanks to this feature. Similar to third-party conversations, guest chat users are not required to download any additional program. The purpose of guest chats is to give non-users a smooth introduction to the platform and possibly persuade them to register for WhatsApp.
WhatsApp seems to be testing guest chats with a small number of beta users on iOS and Android. Guest chats, which make it simpler to communicate with people without an account, have been tested by certain users for the first time in the last few days.
As WhatsApp is rolling out the Guest Chat feature, this will allow users to invite people without a WhatsApp account into a conversation. Users can generate a secure invite link from the “Invite a friend” section and share it via SMS, email, or other third-party messaging apps.
The recipients can now open the link in a secured browser on their respective mobile or desktop and choose to join the conversation at their convenience as a guest through WhatsApp Web without creating an account. These chats remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the participants can read the messages anywhere they may be.
Guests must enter a name before they start the messaging or conversation, but they are not verified, so users should confirm they are talking to the intended person. Guest chats are labeled clearly in the interface and provide only basic messaging, with no support for group chats, media sharing, attachments, or voice and video calls.
The chats automatically expire after 10 days of inactivity, and users have the privilege of blocking guests at any time if need be. The feature is currently being tested with a limited number of users, with a wider rollout yet to be announced.
In identifying guest users and to make sure the account holder is aware that they are conversing with a temporary user, users will receive a disclaimer indicating they are “not registered with WhatsApp” and a clear “Guest” label next to the participant’s name within the app.
I see this new introduction as a smart move from WhatsApp, as the company is clearly hoping that there will be a positive experience with guest chat that will nudge users toward creating a full account, though this remains optional to the guest.
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