WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. A key feature of WhatsApp is that you need someone’s phone number in order to message them. So how can someone message you on WhatsApp without actually having your number?
There are a few clever tricks and workarounds that allow people to message you on WhatsApp even if they don’t have your number saved in their phone. While most of these methods were likely not intended by WhatsApp, they show the creativity of some users in finding ways to communicate via the platform.
Method 1: Using WhatsApp Click to Chat Links
One method is through using WhatsApp’s click to chat feature. WhatsApp has a special URL that can be used to open a chat with someone even without having their phone number saved.
The URL format is:
https://wa.me/[countrycode][number]
For example:
https://wa.me/15551234567
If someone has this link, they can simply click it on their phone and it will open up a WhatsApp chat with that number. The number does not need to be saved in their contacts.
So if someone gets a hold of your number, they can easily generate a chat link and message you without you having their details. These click to chat links can easily be shared around or found online if someone posts their number publicly.
How to Create a Click to Chat Link
To create a WhatsApp click to chat link:
- Go to https://wa.me/ on your browser.
- Enter your country code and phone number after the slash.
- Hit enter and the page will refresh with a click to chat link.
- Send this link to someone and they can click it to message you instantly.
This provides an easy way to give someone your virtual business card or allow customers to reach you quickly. However it also allows anyone with your number to message you even without having your contact saved.
Method 2: Using WhatsApp Business Profile Links
WhatsApp Business accounts have a public profile webpage that can be used in a similar way to message someone without their number.
Every WhatsApp Business account gets a public link in this format:
https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello
If someone visits this link on their phone browser, it will open up a chat on WhatsApp with that business number. Again this works even if the number is not saved in their phone contacts.
How to Find Someone’s WhatsApp Business Link
To find someone’s business profile link:
- Ask them for their WhatsApp Business account number.
- Enter the number on https://wa.me/ with ?text=Hello at the end.
- Visit this link on your phone and it will open a chat with them.
While convenient, this does mean anyone can message your business account without any prior relationship. So businesses should be prepared to receive chats from unknown numbers this way.
Method 3: Using WhatsApp Group Invite Links
Joining a WhatsApp group also adds the phone numbers of everyone in the group to your contacts. This provides a way for someone to message you even if they don’t already have your number.
Here’s how it works:
- Someone creates a new WhatsApp group and adds you as well as several other people.
- This automatically adds everyone’s numbers to each other’s contacts.
- The person who added you can now open a chat and message you directly, even if they didn’t originally have your number.
Group invite links are often shared publicly online as well. By joining via the link, you may be allowing unknown numbers to message you going forward.
How to Identify Numbers Added via Groups
You can identify which numbers were added to your contacts via WhatsApp groups by looking for the group profile photo next to their names in your contacts list.
If someone without your number messages you out of the blue, they likely got your contact by adding you to a group at some point.
Method 4: Messaging from a New Number
The simplest way someone can message you without your number is by using a new number that is not already in your contacts. WhatsApp allows messaging anyone as long as you have their number saved and they have an active account.
Here are a couple scenarios where this can happen:
- Someone gets a new SIM card and activates their WhatsApp account with the new number.
- Someone connects WhatsApp to a VoIP number or Google Voice instead of their regular SIM.
- Someone borrows a relative or friend’s phone to activate WhatsApp and message you.
Since you don’t already have the new number saved, WhatsApp will allow them to message you as a new contact.
Watch for Verification Requests
One signal that someone is messaging you from a new number is if WhatsApp prompts you to verify safety numbers upon receiving the first chat. This usually means the number is not already in your address book.
Method 5: Using WhatsApp Web Sessions on Shared Devices
WhatsApp Web/Desktop allows you to access your WhatsApp chats from a laptop or PC browser. However it also lets someone else message new contacts if multiple people use the same computer.
Here’s how it works:
- User A connects their WhatsApp to a shared computer via WhatsApp Web.
- User B opens the same computer and WhatsApp Web is still logged in.
- User B can now message any of User A’s contacts without having their number.
To avoid this, make sure to always logout from WhatsApp Web sessions, especially on public or shared devices. Tapping the “Logout from all computers” button in WhatsApp settings will disconnect all active sessions.
How to Stop Strangers from Messaging You
While these tricks allow people to message you without your number, there are some precautions you can take:
- Be careful about publicly sharing your phone number online or on social media posts. This makes it easy to find and message you.
- Avoid joining sketchy WhatsApp groups where numbers can be harvested from your contacts.
- Change your privacy settings to only allow messages from contacts or contacts of contacts.
- Always log out of WhatsApp Web sessions when on public computers.
- Block unfamiliar numbers messaging you out of the blue.
- Turn off the ability to click WhatsApp links to open chats.
Following these tips will help minimize messages from unknown numbers, but not eliminate them completely. The best solution is being cautious about where and with whom you share your phone number publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone on my contact list see my number?
Yes, anyone in your WhatsApp contacts can see your full phone number in their contact details for you. They can then message you even if they get a new number or device.
Is there a way to message someone just with their name?
No, WhatsApp requires you to enter a valid phone number to start a chat. There is no way to look up or message someone just by entering their name or username.
Can businesses see your number if you message them first?
Yes, when you message a business on WhatsApp, they can see your full number in their chat list. This allows them to follow up with you directly even without having your contact already saved.
Can I get messages from WhatsApp groups I left?
When you leave a WhatsApp group, your number is still visible in the group members’ contact lists. So they may still be able to message you after you’ve left the group if you originally joined by invite link.
Is there any way to use WhatsApp fully anonymously?
No, since WhatsApp requires a real phone number to sign up, it does not allow fully anonymous usage. Anyone you message will have your exact number visible to them.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp is designed to only allow messaging between contacts, there are some creative methods people have discovered to message you even without your number saved.
The best way to avoid unwanted messages is being careful who you give your number to and limiting how much it is shared publicly. You can also change settings to restrict non-contacts and use features like blocking numbers.
However since WhatsApp is based on phone numbers, it’s impossible to prevent all unknown contacts from messaging you if they are determined to find your account. Being aware of the ways your number can be accessed is key to understanding how you may receive messages even from strangers on WhatsApp.