We previously saw reports of WhatsApp testing guest chats for people who are not users of the app. In a similar vein, the Meta subsidiary is working on letting users send messages to users of other messaging apps. And it looks like some beta testers in Europe already have access to it.
WABetaInfo reports that the feature is available on the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.33.8 update. Those with access can enable it by heading to Settings > Account > Third-party chats. From here, additional options are available, including allowing third-party chat requests, as well as separating or combining these chats with those within WhatsApp itself.
Unlike guest chats, the report notes that third-party chats support the full range of messaging options. In other words, you can send media like photos, videos, voice notes and even documents in addition to just texts. On the other hand, some native and not necessarily universal features like stickers and status updates are not be supported.
As you’d expect, there are still some caveats owing to the nature of third-party chats. For instance, only your phone number can be used to contact you across platforms, but other personal information is not shared. This is good for the privacy-conscious, but maybe not so much for people whose jobs involve communicating with many acquaintances. And those you’ve blocked on WhatsApp can still contact you via these third parties. But for what it’s worth messages are all end-to-end encrypted either way.
According to the report, the only third-party messaging app that WhatsApp supports for now is one called BirdyChat. Other platforms may be added to the list as time goes on. Also mentioned is the feature being added to comply with Europe’s interoperability rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). With that in mind, this may end up being a Europe-exclusive feature.
(Source: WABetaInfo)
