WhatsApp is pushing forward with an exciting update for its Windows-based application via the official beta channel in the Microsoft Store. This update will elevate the version to 2.2342.6.0.
What can users expect with this update? WhatsApp is introducing the capability for users to start chats with unfamiliar phone numbers, a feature currently being tested by select beta users!
Earlier in July, a similar feature was launched for WhatsApp users on iOS and Android platforms: the convenience of initiating chats with numbers not saved in your contacts.
Start chats with unfamiliar phone numbers on WhatsApp
This feature bypasses the need to save a phone number before starting a chat, simplifying the process for those wanting to communicate swiftly with new acquaintances or contacts received. With the fresh rollout of the WhatsApp beta for Windows 2.2342.6.0 in the Microsoft Store, certain beta users can now delve into this innovative feature.
From the provided screenshot by WABetaInfo, it’s evident that WhatsApp has unveiled a revamped interface, allowing users to manually input phone numbers and kickstart conversations without saving them in their contact list. If you’re curious to see whether this enhancement has reached your WhatsApp, simply navigate to the “New chat” interface:
Here, a fresh access point titled “Phone number” should be evident. It’s worthwhile to remember that users have always had the liberty to look up phone numbers using the search feature in the “New chat” section; this isn’t a new addition but was embedded in a prior update.
We believe this upgrade symbolizes a leap in user-friendliness. It eradicates the hassle of clogging your contacts with numbers you may never use again. More importantly, it fortifies the privacy aspect of messaging. The usual privacy configurations still govern chats with these unsaved numbers.
Hence, there’s no automatic alteration to privacy settings, ensuring consistent protection across all chats, whether the number is saved in your contact list or not.
When the feature will be available?
The capability to initiate chats with unfamiliar numbers is currently in testing for select beta users who’ve updated their WhatsApp for Windows via the Microsoft Store. If you haven’t come across this update in the Microsoft Store just yet, be patient. WhatsApp plans to broaden its reach and make it available to a larger audience in the subsequent days.
