WhatsApp is continuously growing and adding new features each day that goes by. In order to send messages to people, you need to have their numbers stored and their contact details have to be displayed in your contact list. At least, that is what everyone thinks.
That, however, is not true. WhatsApp comes with a “click to chat” feature that allows users to send messages to someone not in their contact list or phone book as long as you have the person’s phone number.
Here’s the trick
In order to create the link that allows you to text the number, not in your contact list, you will need to use https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=
After getting the above link, add the phone number you intend to send the message to. This number should be in its international format (without the zeros) and the plus sign (+) at the beginning shouldn’t be used.
For example, use https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=256775744040
Must read: How Africa is embracing WhatsApp banking
Do not use https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+256775744040 or https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=0775744040.
This will give you a link in your threads which when clicked opens a chat with the person automatically. This ‘click to chat” can be used on both the WhatsApp web and smartphone version.
Now, you might be wondering why should I go through such a hectic process? First of all, there are those people you might want to send a message to, but you don’t want them to see some of your personal information like your display photo; this is where this process comes in handy. The internal WhatsApp settings don’t provide for this.
Related:
WhatsApp set to be Africa’s biggest payments and ad platform
WhatsApp ventures into banking sector in India
