WhatsApp Will Now Allow Users to Add Contacts from Any Device

Highlights

• WhatsApp now allows adding and managing contacts from any device.
• Now add contacts from web clients and linked devices without syncing them to the phone.
• Meta plans to introduce usernames to add an extra layer of privacy.
• A gradual rollout of the new feature is expected.

WhatsApp, the go-to messaging app for many, has been consistently working to make the overall user experience much more convenient. In a recent blog post titled “Making it Easier to Add and Manage Contacts”, WhatsApp introduced a new functionality that makes contact management much easier for users. Here’s everything about the new update that you need to know.

As explained by WhatsApp:

“Until now, the only place you were able to add contacts was from your mobile device, by either typing in a phone number or scanning a QR code. Soon, you’ll be able to add and manage contacts from the comfort of your keyboard on WhatsApp Web and Windows – and eventually other linked devices.”
“With IPLS in place, you can now create contacts directly within WhatsApp and choose to sync them to your phone or securely save them only to WhatsApp – giving you the ability to create contacts that are specific to your account. If you use linked devices, this also allows you to add and manage contacts seamlessly regardless of which device you’re on.”
“These WhatsApp contacts are ideal for when you are sharing your phone with others or if you want to separate personal and business contacts when managing more than one WhatsApp account on your phone. Contacts you save to WhatsApp will be restored in case you ever lose your phone or change devices.”

Add Contacts From Any Device

WhatsApp recently announced a new update that will let users add contacts from any device and not only from their primary phone.

This update will allow people to manage and add contacts through the web client, a Windows PC and other linked devices.

Users now will also be able to save a contact exclusively to WhatsApp without syncing it to your phone.

This is particularly helpful for people who share a device with others or for those managing both personal and work WhatsApp accounts on the same device.

WhatsApp’s parent company Meta says this will also address the issue of losing contacts when a phone is lost as contacts will now be fully restorable.

Meta also hinted that bigger changes are lined-up for the app.

WhatsApp is soon expected to introduce usernames as well. This basically means users would not have to save someone’s contact information through a phone number anymore.

According to Meta, this will “add an extra degree of privacy” since users can share their username instead of a phone number. The rollout of this multi-device contact tool will be gradual, happening “over the coming weeks and months.”

However, there is no confirmed release date yet for the much-anticipated username feature.

WhatsApp has been active lately, rolling out features like improved video calling and passkey support on iOS.

FAQs

Q1. What new contact management feature did WhatsApp introduce?

Answer. WhatsApp now allows users to add and manage contacts from any device, including web clients and linked devices, without syncing them to the phone.

Q2. What upcoming feature will add an extra layer of privacy in WhatsApp?

Answer. WhatsApp is expected to introduce usernames, allowing users to share their username instead of a phone number for added privacy.

Q3. What other recent features have WhatsApp introduced?

Answer. WhatsApp has recently added improved video calling and passkey support on iOS.

Also Read : WhatsApp to Introduce Music Sharing in Status Updates

Also Read : WhatsApp to Face Legal Action by CCI for Breaching Privacy Policies in India