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WhatsApp Starts EU Beta for Third‑Party Chats, With BirdyChat as First Integrator

The opt‑in rollout reflects DMA interoperability rules, with approved apps connecting through WhatsApp after a security review.

Overview

  • Selected users in the EU are seeing a new Third‑Party Chats option on Android and on iOS via TestFlight beta version 25.32.10.72.
  • One‑on‑one messaging works across supported apps for text, photos, videos, voice notes, and documents, with end‑to‑end encryption preserved.
  • Advanced features such as status updates, stickers, disappearing messages, and cross‑app group chats are not yet supported.
  • Voice and video calls across platforms are not expected until 2027, according to reports citing WhatsApp’s roadmap.
  • The feature is disabled by default, offers controls for notifications and a combined or separate inbox, and warns that blocking on WhatsApp may not stop contacts from third‑party apps.