WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.13: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.22.13.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users communicate with people who don't have an account, and it will be available in a future update!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Guest chats |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is currently developing a feature that lets users communicate with people who don't have an account, which is expected to be released in a future update. |
| I've installed the update, but this feature isn't available. Why? | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.11: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to create and share status updates in group chats! |
GUEST CHATS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.6.2 update, we announced that a feature to manage third-party chats was under development. This feature will give users the ability to control how they interact with external messaging services, making it easier to manage privacy and decide which apps can exchange messages with WhatsApp. Users will be able to disable chat interoperability and selectively choose which third-party apps can communicate with WhatsApp. This approach aligns with EU regulations that emphasize user control, ensuring users have clear choices over their communication preferences. It appears that WhatsApp is developing new ways to expand messaging options that could allow communication beyond traditional contacts while maintaining user security and autonomy. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.13 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users communicate with people who don't have an account!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to communicate with non-WhatsApp users, scheduled for release in a future update. These conversations are being referred to as "guest chats" and are intended to offer a straightforward way for users to connect with those who do not yet have a WhatsApp account. The name "guest chats" likely refers to conversations with temporary guests who can join chats without having a full WhatsApp account.
Similar to third-party chats, users will be able to send messages to people beyond the usual WhatsApp network. However, there is an important difference between these two tools. While third-party chats depend on an external developer creating an integration that connects their service to WhatsApp users, guest chats will operate entirely within WhatsApp's own ecosystem. This means WhatsApp is developing the system to allow communication with non-users directly, ensuring a consistent user experience fully managed by the platform.
To create and start a guest chat, WhatsApp users will first need to invite someone from their contacts who does not have the app installed. The recipient will receive a direct link that, when opened, grants access to a chat with the user who generated the link. WhatsApp users will be able to share this link in any way they prefer, such as through text message, email, or other social platforms. This setup allows for communication without the need for the invited person to create an account or install WhatsApp.
Guest chats will come with some limitations compared to regular chats. For example, users will not be able to share media files like photos, videos, and GIFs. Guest chats will not support voice or video messages, and users cannot initiate voice or video calls within these conversations. Most importantly, guest chats will only work on a one-to-one basis, so group chats will not be possible within this feature.
Despite these limitations, all messages sent within guest chats will be protected by end-to-end encryption. This means that only the two people in the conversation will be able to read the messages, and no one else, not even WhatsApp, will have access to the content of the chat. This ensures privacy and security are maintained even when communicating with someone who does not have a full WhatsApp account.
For users wondering how such secure communication can happen without the other person having the app installed, it is likely that the invited guest will access the chat through an interface similar to WhatsApp Web. In this scenario, the guest's device uses WhatsApp's web resources to create a private and encrypted chat session without requiring a dedicated app installation.
Guest chats may encourage non-users to sign up for WhatsApp by providing a seamless introduction to the platform. It's worth noting that many technical details about how guest chats work behind the scenes and how encryption is maintained will only become clear once WhatsApp officially announces the feature. We expect more information in an official release or statement from WhatsApp when guest chats are fully ready to launch in the future.
A feature that lets users communicate with people who don't have an account is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.
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