WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the app’s key features is that you can only message someone if you have their phone number saved in your contacts. So is there any way to bypass this and message someone on WhatsApp without having their number?
The short answer is yes, there are a few tricks and workarounds that allow you to message a WhatsApp user without needing their phone number. In this article, we’ll explore the main methods for achieving this.
Method 1: Use WhatsApp’s Click to Chat Links
The official way to message a WhatsApp user without their number is by using the Click to Chat feature. WhatsApp introduced this in 2020 to make it easier for businesses to connect with customers.
It works through creating a special URL that opens a chat with a specific user. The link will look something like:
https://wa.me/PHONE_NUMBER
When you open this link on your phone, it will immediately open WhatsApp and start a chat with that number. This allows you to message someone without having their contact saved.
To get someone’s Click to Chat link, they need to create it in their WhatsApp settings and then share the link with you. Here are the steps they need to follow:
On an iPhone
1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
2. Tap on “Create a Link” under the Click to chat section.
3. A custom URL will be created for your account. Copy this link.
4. Share the URL link with anyone you want to be able to chat with you on WhatsApp without needing your number saved as a contact.
On Android
1. Open WhatsApp and go to More Options > WhatsApp Web.
2. Tap on “Click to Chat” and scan the QR code with your phone camera.
3. This will open a link – copy the URL.
4. Share this link with anyone you want to chat with on WhatsApp without providing your number.
Once you get a Click to Chat link from someone, simply open it on your phone and you’ll be taken straight into a chat with them. The caveat is that the person needs to intentionally create this link and send it to you themselves.
Method 2: Use a Website Portal
There are a few web portals that can generate WhatsApp Chat links for you without needing the person’s phone number. These work by linking to WhatsApp’s Click to Chat feature on the backend.
Here are some popular website tools that let you create links to message WhatsApp users anonymously:
Chat with Strangers
This website lets you generate custom WhatsApp links to chat with random strangers. Here’s how it works:
1. Go to https://www.chatwithstranger.com/whatsapp-chat
2. Enter any nickname you want and select your gender.
3. Click on “Generate New Link” – this will create a unique URL to send you chats from random people.
4. Copy this link and share it anywhere you want new people to message you on WhatsApp anonymously.
When someone opens the link on their phone, it will open a WhatsApp chat with you without needing your number saved in their contacts.
WhatsLinkUp
WhatsLinkUp provides a similar web portal to get random WhatsApp chats from strangers.
To use it:
1. Go to https://www.whatswebapp.com/
2. Click on “Create Your Link” and enter any name you want.
3. Copy the custom URL generated – anyone who opens this link can directly chat with you on WhatsApp anonymously.
4. Share the link on forums, social media, or messaging apps to get random chats from new people without giving them your number.
GetNotify
GetNotify has a WhatsApp chat link generator without number available at:
https://getnotify.com/whatsapp-chat-link-generator
To use it:
1. Enter any name and click Create Link.
2. Copy the generated link. This URL will let anyone message you on WhatsApp anonymously when opened.
3. Share the link anywhere you want new WhatsApp chats from random users who don’t have your number.
The advantage of using these websites is that anyone can instantly start chatting with you on WhatsApp without needing your phone number saved in their contacts. The downside is that you don’t have control over who messages you.
Method 3: Use a Virtual Number
Another method is using a virtual phone number to create your WhatsApp account. This gives you a fully functional WhatsApp profile with a number not tied to your actual SIM card.
There are apps like TextNow and Talkatone that provide free virtual numbers. Here’s how to use one to get WhatsApp without your real number:
1. Download a virtual phone number app and create an account.
2. Select your virtual number and ensure WhatsApp verification is enabled.
3. Install WhatsApp and sign up using your virtual number instead of your real number.
4. You can now give out this virtual number to anyone you want to chat with on WhatsApp without giving them your real number.
The benefit of this method is you have full control over who you give the virtual number to for WhatsApp messaging. The limitation is that it requires installing extra apps and juggling two phone numbers.
Method 4: Use WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business accounts are designed for companies to connect with customers easily. These business accounts don’t need a valid phone number verification.
This means you can sign up for a WhatsApp Business account using just an email address, without tying it to your actual mobile number.
Here are the steps to get a business WhatsApp account without a phone number:
1. Download WhatsApp Business from the App Store or Play Store.
2. When prompted, select “Sign Up With Email” instead of phone number.
3. Enter your email and create a 6-digit PIN. Tap Next.
4. Verify the email link sent to your inbox and complete setup.
5. You’ll now have a WhatsApp Business profile ready to share for chatting without your real number.
The limitation of this method is that WhatsApp Business accounts have limited features compared to regular WhatsApp. You can only use basic messaging and media sharing capabilities.
Method 5: Use WhatsApp Web
You can also use WhatsApp Web to message someone without giving them your phone number. WhatsApp Web allows you to access your WhatsApp chats and messages on a desktop browser.
Follow these steps:
1. On your phone, open WhatsApp and go to Menu > WhatsApp Web.
2. On your computer, go to https://web.whatsapp.com. This will open WhatsApp Web.
3. Scan the QR code on your computer screen using your phone to link the WhatsApp Web session.
4. On the web browser, search for the contact you want to message and start chatting with them.
5. Your phone doesn’t need to stay connected once linked. You can close your phone and continue messaging on desktop.
This gives you access to all your WhatsApp chats on a computer, so you can message contacts without them having your phone number. They will only see your WhatsApp ID.
The limitation is that both parties need WhatsApp installed and the desktop experience isn’t as seamless as on mobile.
Method 6: Use a WhatsApp Group Invite Link
Joining a WhatsApp group allows you to message everyone else in the group without needing to add their numbers individually.
If someone sends you a group invite link, accepting it adds you directly into the group chat so you can start messaging other members anonymously.
Here’s how WhatsApp group links work:
1. To create a group, start a new group chat on WhatsApp and add the initial members.
2. Tap on the Group name at the top and select Invite via link.
3. Turn on the toggle for “Groups via link” – this generates a private link for the group.
4. Anyone who opens the link will be able to join the group directly from there.
5. Share the link with someone you want to chat with anonymously.
6. They can join the group with one tap without you having their number.
This gives you a way to easily start chatting with someone new on WhatsApp without exchanging numbers, as long as they have the group link.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp is designed to connect contacts using phone numbers, there are still several creative ways to use the app for anonymous messaging. The easiest method is to use the Click to Chat links if the person is willing to share it.
Alternatively, leveraging virtual numbers, WhatsApp Web, or group links gives you other options to bypass WhatsApp’s number requirement and start chatting anonymously. But ultimately, the other user still needs an active WhatsApp account to receive your messages.
With over two billion users, WhatsApp’s popularity makes it tempting to want to message people anonymously on the platform. While WhatsApp still has some limitations around anonymity compared to other messaging apps, these tricks help unlock new ways to chat without always sharing your number.