Overview
- WhatsApp has introduced Guest Chats in its Android beta (v2.25.22.13), enabling account holders to invite non-users to one-on-one encrypted web-based conversations.
- Guest participants are limited to text messages and cannot share multimedia files, voice or video notes, or join group chats and calls.
- All Guest Chats use end-to-end encryption within a web interface that mimics WhatsApp Web without requiring registration or app installation.
- In a separate beta (v2.25.22.9), WhatsApp is piloting unique @usernames with an optional access key to shield phone numbers and prevent unwanted messages.
- Both features remain in development with no official launch date and are expected to reach iOS after the Android rollout as WhatsApp aligns with EU Digital Markets Act interoperability requirements.