Message Someone on WhatsApp Without Saving Their Number

Why skip saving the contact?

Messaging an electrician, a store, a delivery driver, or someone from an ad doesn't have to clutter your contacts. Plus, depending on your privacy settings, saving an unknown number may let that person see your profile photo and status. There are easy ways to chat without saving a number.

Method 1: Use WhatsApp

In recent versions, WhatsApp lets you enter a number directly:

1. Tap the new chat button.
2. In the search bar, enter the number with its area code (and country code if it's an international number).
3. If the number is on WhatsApp, you'll see an option to start a chat.

If you don't see this option in your version, try one of the methods below.

Method 2: Use a wa.me link in your browser

WhatsApp provides the wa.me address, which opens a chat with any number:

1. In your phone's browser, type wa.me/ followed by the country code, area code, and phone number, with no spaces, dashes, or parentheses. Example: wa.me/12125550123.
2. Tap Continue to chat, and WhatsApp will open with the number ready.

The WhatsApp Link Generator creates a link in the right format and lets you add a prewritten message—useful if you work with customers.

Method 3: From your chat with yourself

1. Open your chat with yourself (it appears as "You" in your WhatsApp chat list).
2. Send the phone number, including the area code.
3. Tap the number you sent. WhatsApp will show the option to Chat with that number.

This also works with numbers you receive in any chat: tap an underlined number to see the option to open a chat.

Method 4: QR code for people who want to contact you

To do the reverse—let customers contact you without saving your number—create a QR code with your wa.me link. The QR Code Generator has a WhatsApp option. Put the QR code on your counter, business card, or packaging, and people can point their camera at it to open a chat.

WhatsApp Business users can also create a QR code and a short link directly in the app's tools.

For businesses: links with prewritten messages

A wa.me link can include a prewritten message that appears in the text field when a customer opens the chat. This helps you find out where they came from and what they need without a back-and-forth. Here are a few examples:

• On Instagram: "Hi! I saw your carrot cake post and would like to place an order."
• On a business card: "Hi! I got your card and would like a quote."
• In a property listing: "I'm interested in the apartment on X Street. Is it still available?"

Customers can edit the message before sending it. Use a different link for each channel to see which one brings in the most inquiries. Accented characters and spaces in the message need to be encoded in the link—the generator does this automatically.

Staying safe with unfamiliar numbers

• Before sharing personal information or sending money to someone you contacted through a listing, confirm their identity through another channel, such as an official website or a physical location.
• If the person asks for a code you received by text, end the conversation. They may be trying to take over your WhatsApp account.
• Review your privacy settings under Settings › Privacy. You can limit who sees your profile photo, About info, and last seen status to your contacts.

Frequently asked questions