WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. A key feature of WhatsApp is the ability to communicate with people internationally, as long as you have their phone number. But can you use WhatsApp with any international number, or are there restrictions?
The short answer is yes, you can use WhatsApp to message international contacts if you have their full phone number, including country code. WhatsApp uses your phone number as your ID on the platform. As long as the app has a record of your contacts’ full international numbers, you can message them through WhatsApp, even if they are in another country.
There are a few caveats to be aware of when using WhatsApp internationally though. The main things to keep in mind are:
- Both you and your contact need to have WhatsApp installed and set up with your respective phone numbers
- Make sure you have the full international number with country code for all your contacts
- Some countries have restrictions on using WhatsApp, so the app may be blocked or limited in certain places
- When messaging internationally, be aware of any potential costs from your carrier for messaging or data roaming
As long as both parties have WhatsApp and you store your contacts properly with country codes, messaging internationally via WhatsApp is very straightforward. But there are a few steps to ensure it’s setup correctly.
Saving Contacts with Proper International Format
The key requirement for messaging international WhatsApp contacts is having their full phone number, including country code, saved in your phone’s contacts.
WhatsApp verifies users by their phone number. So if you only save a local number, it won’t be able to validate and connect that contact properly on WhatsApp if they are in another country.
For example, if you have a contact in your phone saved as:
John Doe
123-456-7890
And John Doe moves to the UK and gets a new UK number, WhatsApp won’t recognize the old US number you have saved for him.
To message John Doe on WhatsApp after he moves, you would need to save his new international number in your contacts like:
John Doe
+44 123 456 7890
This saves the number with the proper country code (+44 for the UK) in international format. Now WhatsApp will match up your existing contact with the new international number for John Doe.
Some key tips for saving international WhatsApp contacts:
- Always have the full phone number including country code saved
- Use the plus (+) sign before the country code
- Double check that the country code is correct for that region
- Make sure to update existing contacts with new international numbers if people move to a new country or get a new phone number when traveling
Following this format allows WhatsApp to properly verify and connect you with all your contacts worldwide through their phone numbers.
How WhatsApp Verification Process Works
Whenever you start messaging someone new on WhatsApp, it will try to verify that user through an automated verification process.
This verification is necessary for WhatsApp to authenticate that user and encrypt your communications with them for security purposes.
The WhatsApp verification process works like this:
- You add a new contact and save their phone number in proper international format in your phone’s contacts
- Once you try to message that new contact in WhatsApp, it will send an automated verification request to that user
- Assuming they have an active WhatsApp account with that phone number, your contact will receive a 6-digit verification code from WhatsApp
- They provide you with this 6-digit code to enter into your WhatsApp
- Upon entering the correct verification code, WhatsApp verifies your contact and the messaging begins!
This verification process usually only needs to happen once per contact. After the initial verification, your messaging with that contact will be securely linked going forward.
If you are messaging contacts in another country, the process works the same way. WhatsApp sends an automated verification request based on the international number you have saved for that user.
As long as everything matches up properly, the verification process will connect you with your international contacts on WhatsApp.
Using WhatsApp with International SIM Cards
Another scenario where people may use WhatsApp internationally is when traveling to another country and getting a local SIM card.
If you travel to a foreign country and get a temporary SIM card with a local phone number, you can absolutely use WhatsApp with that new number during your travels.
Here is how it works if you get a new international SIM while traveling:
- Install your new international SIM card and activate it with a local phone number for that country
- Update your WhatsApp account with your new temporary international number
- Verify your WhatsApp account with the new number through SMS or call verification
- Re-verify any existing WhatsApp contacts through the automated process since your number changed
- Continue using WhatsApp as normal with your local number while traveling
When getting a new SIM, you may need to go through the verification process again for your account and contacts. But once set up, the international SIM will work fine with WhatsApp during your travels.
The key is ensuring your WhatsApp account is updated to match your new active phone number when swapping SIMs in different countries. As long as the phone numbers match, WhatsApp will continue functioning normally with the international SIM card while traveling abroad.
Countries Where WhatsApp is Restricted
While WhatsApp is available worldwide, there are some countries that currently restrict or ban the use of WhatsApp:
- China – WhatsApp is blocked by the Great Firewall of China
- North Korea – No access to WhatsApp or most Western social media apps
- Iran – WhatsApp is banned by the government of Iran
- Syria – WhatsApp was temporarily restricted during civil unrest in Syria
- United Arab Emirates – WhatsApp voice calling is blocked, but text messaging is allowed
In these places, you may not be able to use WhatsApp normally due to government-imposed restrictions on social media and communication apps. There are ways around the restrictions like VPNs, but regular WhatsApp access may be limited.
The restrictions are imposed by the local governments in these countries, not by WhatsApp itself. And the situation can also change over time if policies are updated or reversed in the future.
But currently, using WhatsApp in mainland China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and UAE may be partially or fully blocked depending on the specific country’s policies.
Costs of Using WhatsApp Internationally
One final point to note when using WhatsApp for messaging internationally is potential costs that may be incurred:
- Data roaming fees – If traveling abroad, data roaming charges may apply from your carrier
- Text message fees – WhatsApp verification via SMS may have fees depending on your plan
- No WiFi access – Heavy WhatsApp usage overseas can rack up data costs quickly without WiFi
To help minimize costs:
- Connect to WiFi hotspots whenever possible to avoid data roaming
- Consider a roaming data package from your carrier for longer trips
- Use WhatsApp voice calls sparingly or stick to texting to limit data usage
- Download media only when on WiFi to avoid large data fees
While WhatsApp itself is free to use, those extra fees for data, texting, and roaming can add up. Being smart about managing your data and connectivity options is important, especially when traveling internationally.
Conclusion
WhatsApp can definitely be used to message international contacts, provided you have their fully formatted local number with the accurate country code saved in your phone’s contacts.
The key requirements are:
- Have the latest WhatsApp version installed
- Store all contacts with proper international formatting
- Complete phone number verification when messaging new international contacts
- Update your number if using a local SIM card abroad
With over 100 countries supported, WhatsApp provides an easy and cost-effective way to stay in touch globally. As long as both you and your contacts have valid registered accounts, you can message anyone worldwide.
There are a few countries with restrictions and potential roaming costs to be aware of. But otherwise, connecting with your international friends and family via WhatsApp is a great communication option accessible from anywhere in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WhatsApp when traveling internationally?
Yes, WhatsApp works worldwide, so you can use it while traveling internationally. Be sure to connect to WiFi when possible to avoid data roaming charges from your carrier. Also update your WhatsApp number if you get a local SIM card in another country.
Do all my contacts need to have WhatsApp too?
In order to message someone on WhatsApp, both you and the recipient must have an active WhatsApp account registered with your phone numbers. All your contacts need to use WhatsApp as well for direct messaging.
How do I message a WhatsApp contact living internationally?
Save the contact’s phone number in proper international format including the country code. When you first message them, WhatsApp will automatically send a verification code to authenticate them. Once verified, you can message normally even though they are in another country.
Can I use WhatsApp on WiFi calling when traveling?
Yes, if your carrier supports WiFi calling, you can enable WiFi calling on your smartphone to use WhatsApp messaging over WiFi while traveling. This allows you to avoid roaming charges for calls and texts.
What if I didn’t verify my contact’s number before they moved abroad?
If you need to re-verify an existing contact because their number changed, tap on their chat, then tap on their name at the top and scroll down to Reverify. This resets the verification process for that specific contact.
Summary of Key Points
- Save all contacts in phone with proper international formatting (country code + local number)
- Verify new international contacts through automated WhatsApp process
- Update your WhatsApp number if using international SIM card when traveling
- Avoid roaming charges by using WiFi for WhatsApp messaging and calls when abroad
- WhatsApp is restricted in some countries like China, Iran, North Korea
- Both you and your contacts need WhatsApp installed to message internationally