In order to get the best experience from WhatsApp, we strongly recommend you allow WhatsApp access to your phone's contacts. Here are a few things to know about using WhatsApp with your phone's contacts.

How WhatsApp uses your contacts

You can learn more about how WhatsApp uses your phone's contacts in this article. In short, we value your privacy and we have not, do not and will not ever sell your personal information to anyone.

How to enable access to your contacts

If you initially denied WhatsApp access to your phone's contacts, you can enable access by going to your phone's settings:

1. Go to iPhone Settings > Privacy.
2. Tap Contacts.
3. Make sure WhatsApp is turned on.

If WhatsApp is grayed out or doesn't appear in privacy settings

This is a rare issue, but it does happen to a small number of users. Ensure you don't have any restrictions set in iPhone Settings > General > Restrictions. Otherwise, you'll most likely need to restore your phone. Please visit the Apple Support website for more information on how to back up and restore your information.

If you don't allow WhatsApp access to your contacts

Although we strongly recommend allowing WhatsApp access to your phone's contacts, you can continue to use WhatsApp in a limited capacity without allowing access.

If you deny WhatsApp access to your phone's contacts, you'll still be able to:

• Receive messages from other WhatsApp users and groups
• Change WhatsApp settings

You won't be able to:

• See any contact names and will only see phone numbers
• Start new Groups or Broadcast Lists

If you're missing contacts

If you're unable to see some of your contacts on WhatsApp, try the following:

For international contacts:

• Ensure you've added the correct phone number in full international format.

If you're using iOS version 11.3 or above, and the missing contacts are stored in an Exchange account, your account administrator may not be allowing WhatsApp or other apps to access your contacts. You can resolve this by:

• Copying your Exchange contacts into your phone address book or iCloud.
• Asking your IT administrator to make WhatsApp a managed app in your iPhone.

Note:

• Exchange accounts are likely to be work accounts.
• If this issue still persists or you're having problems finding the iOS version or importing your contacts to iCloud, please contact Apple Support for assistance.