Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to message someone on WhatsApp who does not have your phone number saved in their contacts. There are a couple of different ways to do this:
- If you know the person’s phone number, you can send them a message request. This will send them a request that they can choose to accept or ignore.
- You can create a WhatsApp group and add the person to the group. Once they are in the group, you will be able to message them even if they don’t have your number saved.
- If the person has their WhatsApp number or QR code available publicly, you can use that to start a chat without needing their phone number.
So in summary, while normally you need someone’s phone number to message them on WhatsApp, there are workarounds to allow you to message someone who doesn’t already have your number saved. The message request or group chat options are the easiest ways to accomplish this.
Sending a Message Request
If you know the phone number of the person you want to message on WhatsApp, you can send them a message request. Here is how it works:
- Open the WhatsApp app and tap on the Calls tab at the bottom.
- Tap on the New Contact button at the top right.
- Enter the phone number of the person you want to message.
- Tap on the Send Message button.
This will send a request to the person with that phone number. On their end, it will show up as a message saying you want to chat with them on WhatsApp.
They then have the option to accept your request, which will add you as a contact and let you message them. Or they can ignore and decline the request, in which case you won’t be able to chat with them.
The advantage of using a message request is that it gives the recipient control – they can decide whether to talk with you or not. The downside is that they may choose to decline the request, leaving you unable to message them.
Overall though, a message request is usually the easiest and most direct way to message someone who doesn’t have your number. As long as you have their exact phone number, you can send a request and leave it up to them whether to respond.
Adding the Person to a Group
Another way you can message someone who doesn’t have your number is by adding them to a WhatsApp group. When you add someone to a group, they are able to see and interact with all members of that group, even if they don’t have everyone’s numbers saved.
Here is how to message someone using a WhatsApp group:
- Create a new WhatsApp group and give it a name. You only need to add one other contact when first creating the group.
- Once the group is created, tap on the Group name at the top and select Add Participant.
- Enter the phone number of the person you want to message and send them an invite to the group.
- Once they accept the invite, you will both become members of the group and will be able to chat.
The advantage of using a group chat is that it doesn’t require the other person to accept your message request. By adding them directly to the group, you can immediately start chatting with them through the group.
The downside is that some people may find it annoying to be added to groups, especially if they don’t know you. So keep in mind that some people may decline the group invite or leave the group after being added.
But overall, a WhatsApp group can be a simple way to message someone new as long as you know their phone number to add them. They don’t need to have your number saved already in order to chat in the group.
Using a WhatsApp Number or QR Code
The two options above require knowing the phone number of the person you want to message. But WhatsApp also offers a way to message someone if you don’t have their number.
Some users make their WhatsApp number or QR code publicly available on their website, social media profiles, business cards, etc.
If you find someone’s WhatsApp number or QR code available publicly like this, you can use it to start chatting with them without needing their phone number:
- To use their WhatsApp number, simply save the number they provided into your phone contacts. Then open WhatsApp and send them a message.
- To use their QR code, open WhatsApp and tap on the Calls tab. Select Scan QR code and scan their code using your phone’s camera. This will save their number and let you message them.
This method allows you to message someone without any request or acceptance needed. But it does require them to intentionally make their WhatsApp contact info public for anyone to use. Most standard users will not have a WhatsApp number or QR code available publicly.
Other Less Common Methods
There are a couple other more obscure ways you may be able to message someone on WhatsApp without their number:
- If you have their phone number but they use WhatsApp with a different number, you can look up their WhatsApp number in the WhatsApp search field and message them that way.
- On iPhone, you can use Siri to ask “What’s the WhatsApp number for [contact name]?” if the person is saved in your contacts. This will bring up their WhatsApp number that you can then chat with.
However, these methods only work in very specific situations and likely won’t apply for most people you’re trying to message. The options using a message request, group chat, or public WhatsApp info are far more universal.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble messaging someone who doesn’t have your number saved, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Double check that you have the correct phone number for them before sending a message request.
- If your message request won’t send, their phone number may not be registered with WhatsApp.
- Make sure your own WhatsApp account is not banned or blocked from sending messages.
- If adding them to a group doesn’t work, they may have group invites disabled so won’t see the invite.
- When using a QR code, be sure to scan the entire code properly within WhatsApp using your camera.
Following the steps precisely and avoiding common mistakes will give you the best chance of messaging someone successfully on the first try. But if you still can’t seem to message them, they may have intentionally blocked unknowns from contacting them on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common FAQs about messaging people on WhatsApp without their number:
Can I message someone on WhatsApp if I don’t have their number?
Yes, there are a few ways to message someone on WhatsApp even if you don’t have their phone number, like using a message request, group chat, or their public WhatsApp QR code. But most people will need their number to chat with them.
What happens when I send a message request on WhatsApp?
When you send a message request, the recipient will get a message saying you want to chat on WhatsApp. They can then choose to accept your request, which gives you access to message them, or ignore/decline it so you can’t message them.
Can someone reply to my WhatsApp message request?
No, a person can’t reply directly to a message request. They have to first accept your request before a chat will open up where you can actually send messages back and forth.
How do I talk to someone on WhatsApp who blocked me?
If someone has blocked you on WhatsApp, there is no way to message them again unless they unblock you. Even if you get their number again or use a different phone, you will be unable to chat if blocked.
What happens if I message someone on WhatsApp who changed their number?
If you message someone who has changed their WhatsApp number, the message will fail to send and you will be notified that the number is no longer registered to that WhatsApp account. You will need their new number or QR code to message them again.
Conclusion
Messaging someone on WhatsApp who doesn’t have your number is possible through clever use of message requests, group chats, or by obtaining their public WhatsApp contact information. While normally having someone’s phone number is required, these methods create workarounds to allow you to connect with them even if they don’t have you saved as a contact. With billions of users, WhatsApp makes an effort to enable communication between anyone – as long as you know their account details.