WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. If you want to start chatting with someone new on WhatsApp, you’ll need to invite them to connect with you. Here’s a quick look at what you need to do to invite someone new to WhatsApp.
Get Their Phone Number
The first thing you need to invite someone on WhatsApp is their phone number. WhatsApp uses your phone’s contacts to connect you with other users. So you’ll need to get the phone number of the person you want to invite and make sure you have it saved in your phone’s contacts.
You can get someone’s number by asking them directly, looking them up in a phone book or directory if they have a publicly listed number, searching online directories, or getting their number from a mutual friend. Just make sure you have the correct current phone number saved for the person before moving to the next step of inviting them on WhatsApp.
Make Sure They Have WhatsApp
Next, you’ll want to confirm that the person you’re trying to invite actually uses WhatsApp already. If they don’t have a WhatsApp account set up yet, they won’t be able to accept your invite and start chatting.
There are a few easy ways to find out if someone is already on WhatsApp:
- Ask them directly if they use WhatsApp.
- Check their existing social media profiles for any references to WhatsApp or their WhatsApp number.
- Look for the WhatsApp icon next to their name in your phone’s contacts list (if you have any mutual contacts who have them as a WhatsApp contact already).
- Search for their name or phone number on WhatsApp to see if their account comes up.
If the person isn’t yet on WhatsApp, advise them to download the app and create an account before you send your invite. WhatsApp is free and available for iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones.
Send a WhatsApp Invite
Once you’ve confirmed the person uses WhatsApp already, it’s time to send your invite. Open the WhatsApp app on your phone and follow these steps:
- Tap the Calls tab at the bottom.
- Tap the New Chat icon in the top right (it looks like a chat bubble with a plus sign).
- Tap New Contact.
- Enter the phone number of the person you want to invite.
- Tap Send Invite on the next screen.
This will send an invite directly to the person over WhatsApp. All they have to do is accept your invite and they’ll be added to your contacts list, allowing you to immediately start chatting.
Start Chatting
Once your contact accepts the WhatsApp invite, their name will show up in your contacts list within the app. From there you can start chatting with them just like any other WhatsApp contact.
Tap their name to open up an individual chat window. Type out messages using the text box at the bottom and hit enter to send. You’ll see when they view and respond to your messages.
Some tips for chatting on WhatsApp:
- Use emoji icons to add visuals to your messages.
- Send photos, videos, audio messages, and other media easily.
- See when someone is typing to know when to expect a reply.
- Customize notifications so you never miss a message.
- Use WhatsApp Web or desktop apps to keep chatting on your computer.
- Add contacts to Groups to message multiple people at once.
WhatsApp makes it easy to stay in touch with all your contacts. Once they’ve accepted your invite, you’ll be able to message them for free any time right from the app.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Invites
If your contact doesn’t seem to be getting your WhatsApp invite or can’t accept it, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Double check you entered the right phone number for them and have the latest update of WhatsApp.
- Have them update the WhatsApp app on their device or reinstall it to refresh the app.
- Make sure their phone has a strong internet connection when accepting the invite.
- Ask them to double check their notifications/message settings to see if WhatsApp invites are blocked.
- Try sending the invite again after some time has passed.
- Invite them through a group chat if direct invites keep failing.
In most cases, a failed or expired invite can be fixed by having your contact update their app and connectivity before resending the invite. If issues persist, reach out to WhatsApp directly for help troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Adding a new contact on WhatsApp takes just a few simple steps. Get their number, confirm they use WhatsApp, send an invite, and start chatting once they accept. Make sure to troubleshoot any issues like expired invites so you can easily connect. With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp makes it more convenient than ever to stay in touch with your growing contact list.