WhatsApp is simplifying contact management across multiple platforms. Soon, users will be able to add and update contacts not only from their phones but also through WhatsApp’s web and Windows apps. In a blog post on Tuesday, WhatsApp announced these features to enhance flexibility, with plans to expand to more linked devices.
Currently, WhatsApp users can only manage contacts from the phone where the account is set up. With these new updates, you’ll be able to save and organize contacts on various devices. This will be especially helpful for users who share a phone or handle both personal and business accounts.
A highly anticipated update is WhatsApp’s plan to allow adding contacts using a username instead of a phone number. Although this feature isn’t available yet, it will offer a significant privacy boost. Users will be able to start conversations without revealing their phone number, much like Signal’s recent feature, reflecting the growing demand for privacy in messaging apps.
These new features will roll out in the coming weeks. The username feature, however, will be introduced later once fully developed.
Meta’s other messaging app, Messenger, already allows users to add contacts without sharing personal information by using a search or QR code. However, Messenger only recently introduced default encryption, something WhatsApp has offered for years. Instagram, also owned by Meta, includes optional encryption and lets users message others without following them.
