WhatsApp is finally starting to roll out a long-awaited feature that makes it easier for users to open up a chat with an unsaved number. According to WABetaInfo, the app is making the feature available to some users and it is expected to expand the availability to more users gradually.
With the current method, users have to save an unknown phone number as a contact if they want to initiate a chat or use a click-to-chat API if it’s provided. With the new feature, you can simply type in the full phone number into the search box and if it’s not in your contacts, the app will simply search for the account tied to that number.
It’s not exactly clear who can get this feature early, but WABetaInfo reports that your chances are higher if you keep your WhatsApp version up to date. To check if you already have it, start a new chat from the app and search for an unsaved number that you’ve never chatted with.
If you are one of the select users that have already gotten the feature, it should search for the number and let you start a chat. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait as WhatsApp has not officially announced the launch of the feature.
(Source: WABetaInfo)
