WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to easily connect with your existing contacts as well as find new contacts. For iPhone users, searching for new contacts on WhatsApp is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps.
Check if the contact is on WhatsApp
The first step is to check if the person you want to connect with already has WhatsApp installed on their phone and has an active account. The easiest way is to first search for the contact in your iPhone’s phone book. If you see the WhatsApp icon next to their name, it means they are already using WhatsApp.
You can also try searching for the contact’s phone number directly in WhatsApp by going to the Chats tab, tapping the New Chat icon in the top right, and entering their phone number in the To field. If their WhatsApp account is detected, their name will automatically populate. This confirms they are already on WhatsApp.
Get your contacts to join WhatsApp
If the contact is not yet on WhatsApp, you can invite them to join so you can connect with them. Tap the Invite to WhatsApp option to send them an SMS invite directly from within WhatsApp. The invite SMS will contain a link for them to download and install the app.
Here are some tips to get more of your contacts using WhatsApp:
- Make sure you have the person’s latest mobile number updated in your phone book.
- Let them know about all the useful features of WhatsApp to get them interested.
- Send them the invite SMS and ask them to click on the link to install WhatsApp.
- If needed, give them a quick guide on how to setup WhatsApp and activate their account.
Search for nearby WhatsApp users
In addition to connecting with your existing contacts, you can also search for new WhatsApp contacts nearby. This uses WhatsApp’s live location feature to detect other users close to your current location.
Here are the steps to search for nearby users:
- Open the WhatsApp app and tap on the Contacts tab.
- Tap on New Contact at the top.
- Tap on Nearby Places.
- WhatsApp will then activate location access and start searching for WhatsApp users nearby.
- You will see a list of nearby users with their WhatsApp profiles. You can then send them a message request.
The Nearby Places search uses your smartphone’s GPS location data to approximate your location. Make sure location access is enabled for WhatsApp in your phone’s settings for this feature to work.
Join WhatsApp Groups to meet new people
Another great way to connect with new contacts on WhatsApp is by joining WhatsApp Groups. Groups allow you to meet new people with similar interests and join group conversations.
Here are some ways to find WhatsApp Groups to join:
- Ask your existing WhatsApp contacts if they have any group invites.
- Search Facebook Groups related to your hobbies and interests and request admins for associated WhatsApp Group invites.
- Use third-party WhatsApp Group search tools to browse public groups based on keywords and join open groups.
- Search Google for terms like “WhatsApp Group links [your city/interest]” to find invitation links to relevant groups.
When joining new Groups, be polite and respectful to other members. Introduce yourself and participate actively in discussions. This will help you make new acquaintances on WhatsApp.
Connect using WhatsApp contact info on websites
Many businesses, shops, professionals etc now list their WhatsApp contact information on their websites and social media profiles. If you come across a website or Facebook page with a WhatsApp contact number, you can directly save it to your contacts and initiate a chat.
Here are some examples of where you can find WhatsApp contacts on websites:
- Small business websites – Look for a “Chat with us on WhatsApp” link or icon.
- Listings on e-commerce sites – Product listings sometimes show a WhatsApp contact for sellers.
- Professional directories – Doctors, lawyers etc. sometimes list their WhatsApp numbers on their profiles.
- Social media bios – Instagram, Twitter users often add WhatsApp contact info in their bios.
Saving these numbers to your phone and messaging helps start conversations with businesses, experts, influencers and others directly over WhatsApp.
Use QR Codes to add new WhatsApp contacts
WhatsApp has introduced QR codes to seamlessly add new contacts. When you meet someone new, you can scan their WhatsApp QR code to add them instantly. Here is how it works:
- Ask the person to open WhatsApp and tap “Settings”.
- Then ask them to tap on “Profile” and select “QR Code”.
- This generates their unique WhatsApp QR code on the screen.
- Open your WhatsApp camera and point it at their code to scan it.
- This will instantly add them as a new contact in your WhatsApp.
QR codes provide the fastest and easiest way to exchange WhatsApp contacts when meeting in-person. The entire process takes less than 10 seconds.
Import phone book contacts who use WhatsApp
If you have many of your phone and email contacts already using WhatsApp, you can sync your entire device contacts list to find and add them on WhatsApp. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Contacts tab.
- Tap on the Import Contacts button at the bottom.
- Select the vCard file with your contacts to import it.
- WhatsApp will then scan all the numbers and match with existing WhatsApp users.
- Contacts already on WhatsApp will be added automatically.
This helps you mass add a large WhatsApp contact list instantly instead of manually adding contacts one by one.
Conclusion
Adding new contacts is easy with WhatsApp’s wide range of contact discovery features. Use methods like sharing invites, WhatsApp QR codes, joining Groups, syncing local contacts and more to expand your connections on the platform.
Some key tips to remember when adding new contacts:
- Always ask for someone’s consent before adding them on WhatsApp.
- When joining new Groups, be polite and follow community rules.
- Verify any discoverable business contacts are authentic before initiating chats.
- Manage your privacy settings and profile info when connecting with strangers.
With its huge global userbase, WhatsApp presents amazing opportunities to stay in touch with both existing and new contacts. Follow the methods discussed here to expand your WhatsApp network and enhance your messaging experience.