How to find and invite contacts

Android
iOS
You can identify which of your contacts use WhatsApp by accessing your phone's address book. You can only create, sync, and find new contacts on your primary device.

Find contacts

  1. Go to the Chats or Calls tab.
  2. Tap the search bar and enter their name or phone number.
You can also go to the Chats tab >
new chat
>
search
.

Can't find contacts


If you can't find your contacts, check the following:
  • Your contacts are using WhatsApp. Contacts that don’t use WhatsApp yet will be listed under Invite to WhatsApp.
  • You’ve saved your contacts' phone numbers in your phone's address book. If they’re using an international phone number, enter the full international format.
  • You’ve allowed WhatsApp to access your phone's contacts in your phone's Settings.

Invite a phone contact to WhatsApp

  1. Go to the Chats tab >
    new chat
    .
  2. Scroll to the the Invite to WhatsApp section.
  3. Tap Invite next to the person you want to invite to WhatsApp.
  4. Tap the SMS send icon to send the invite link.

More ways to invite someone to WhatsApp

  1. Tap
    new chat
    > Settings > Invite a friend.
    • Tap the person you’d like to send an invite link by SMS. Then tap the SMS send icon to send the invite link.
    • Tap Share link. You can copy and paste the invite link or choose an app to share it.

Chat to someone not saved as a contact

  1. Go to the Chats or Calls tab.
  2. Tap the search bar and enter the name or phone number.
    • If the name or phone number is already using WhatsApp, tap Chat to begin chatting. To add them as a contact, tap
      new chat
      > Add to contacts > Create New Contact > Save.
    • If the phone number doesn’t use WhatsApp, you can invite them. Tap Invite next to their name or phone number. Tap the SMS send icon to send the invite link.

Can't connect with a contact


If you've found or added a contact but can't connect with them, they might have a connection issue. Ask them to connect to a different Wi-Fi or data network. They can also check if their device is updated to the latest supported operating system.

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