WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family. A key feature of WhatsApp is that it uses your phone number as your account username. This means you can only message other users if you have their phone number saved in your phone’s contacts. So what happens if you receive a message from an unknown number on WhatsApp? Can you reply and chat with someone not in your contacts? Let’s take a closer look at what options you have.
Receiving Messages from Unknown Numbers
There are a few reasons an unknown number may message you on WhatsApp:
- Someone typed your number incorrectly – This could be a friend who got a new phone number or someone messing up while entering a number.
- Wrong number – The person messaging meant to contact someone else.
- Spam or scam – Unfortunately, spammers and scammers may find your number and try messaging.
- New contact – Sometimes a new friend, coworker, or business will message you before you’ve added their number.
When you receive a message from an unknown number, the sender’s name will show up as just the phone number. The message will be delivered like normal and you can view it in your conversations list.
Replying to an Unknown Number
If you receive a message from an unknown number on WhatsApp, you have a few options:
Option 1: Add the Number to Your Contacts
The simplest option is to add the unknown number to your phone’s contacts. Here’s how:
- Open the unknown chat in WhatsApp.
- Tap on the number at the top of the chat.
- You will see options to create a new contact or add to an existing contact.
- Choose “Create new contact” and add the number to a new or existing contact.
Once you save the number in your contacts, the contact name will show up in WhatsApp instead of the number. You can now carry on the conversation normally.
Option 2: Reply Without Saving the Number
You don’t need to save the number to continue chatting. You can directly reply to the message and have a conversation with the unknown number. Here’s how:
- Open the chat with the unknown number.
- Type your reply in the text field at the bottom.
- Hit send.
Your messages will deliver and you can have an ongoing chat without having the number saved in your contacts. The downside is that you will only see the number, not a contact name.
Option 3: Block the Number
If the unknown number appears suspicious or you want to avoid contact, you can block them. Here’s how to block on WhatsApp:
- Open the chat with the unknown number.
- Tap on the number at the top of the chat.
- Scroll down and tap “Block Contact”.
- Confirm the block when prompted.
This will block the number and prevent any future messages from delivering. Use this for obvious spam or harassing messages.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
When chatting with an unknown number on WhatsApp, keep these tips in mind:
- Be cautious sharing personal information or photos with someone you don’t know.
- Look out for suspicious requests for money, account details, or passwords.
- You can report troubling messages or numbers directly to WhatsApp.
- Always look carefully at message wording and grammar for signs of spam.
- If needed, politely ask the sender to identify themselves.
FAQs About Unknown Numbers on WhatsApp
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about interacting with unknown numbers on WhatsApp:
Does an unknown number see my profile photo and status?
No, an unknown contact cannot see your profile photo, status, or any other account info. They only have access to directly messaging you.
Can I find out who an unknown number belongs to?
There is no direct way to lookup who an unknown number belongs to on WhatsApp. You can perform a web search on the phone number to see if it appears on any public listings. Or you can politely ask the sender to identify themselves.
Will my replies to an unknown number show up as verified?
No, your messages will not show the “verified” tag when chatting with an unknown number. This is because they do not have your contact saved with your verified WhatsApp number.
Can I make group chats with an unknown number?
No, since WhatsApp does not let you see the profile or account info for an unknown number, you cannot add unknown contacts to groups. You would first need to save the number to your phone’s contacts.
Will my chat history with an unknown number be saved?
Yes, your chat history will be saved like normal even with an unknown contact. You can access the messages again in your main chats list by tapping on the unknown number chat.
Conclusion
WhatsApp provides a seamless experience for chatting with both saved contacts and unknown numbers. While caution is advised when receiving messages from unfamiliar numbers, there are built-in tools for managing these chats. You can easily reply, add to contacts, or block unknown numbers as needed. The key is being aware of spam risks and using common sense when chatting. With smart precautions, WhatsApp can still provide an open platform for communicating with new contacts.