WhatsApp’s “Click to Chat” feature allows you to start a conversation with any phone number directly, without adding it to your contacts.
This works on the WhatsApp mobile app (Android/iOS), WhatsApp Web, or desktop app, as long as the recipient has an active WhatsApp account. The number must be in international format (e.g., +919876543210 for India—include the country code like +91, without spaces, dashes, or leading zeros).
Step-by-Step Guide Using a Direct Link
1. Format the link: Use the base URL https://wa.me/ followed by the full international phone number (without the + sign in the link itself).
• Example: For +1-555-123-4567, the link is https://wa.me/15551234567.
2. Open the link: Paste it into your phone’s browser (like Chrome or Safari) or any web browser.
• WhatsApp will prompt you to open the app (or web version if on desktop).
• This opens a new chat window with the unsaved number, ready for you to type and send a message.
Adding a Pre-Filled Message to the Link
To send a quick message right away:
1. Extend the link: Append ?text= followed by your message, URL-encoded (replace spaces with %20, and avoid special characters).
• Example: https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hi,%20I'm%20interested%20in%20the%20job%20listing.
• For a message without a specific number: https://wa.me/?text=Let's%20meet%20for%20coffee%20tomorrow.
2. Open and send: Tap the link—it will open WhatsApp with the message pre-filled. Just hit send.
Tips and Notes
• Encoding your message: Use a free online URL encoder tool if needed (search for “URL encoder”) to handle special characters properly.
• Privacy: The recipient won’t know you didn’t save their number—it’s just a normal chat.
• Limitations: If the number isn’t on WhatsApp, you’ll get an error. This doesn’t work for group chats or calls directly.
• Alternatives for quick access:
• On Android: Long-press the number in a text or note, then select “Message via WhatsApp.”
• On iOS: Use the Shortcuts app to create a custom action for dialing into WhatsApp.
• For businesses/websites: Embed a “Chat on WhatsApp” button using WhatsApp’s official HTML code.
This method is simple, free, and official—no third-party apps required.