WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion monthly active users. One of the great things about WhatsApp is that it makes it easy to communicate with people in other countries. Even if they are on the other side of the world, you can chat with your friends or family members on WhatsApp as long as they also have the app installed.
Adding an International Contact
To chat with someone from another country on WhatsApp, you first need to add them as a contact. There are two main ways to do this:
- If you already have their phone number, open WhatsApp and tap on the Calls tab at the bottom. Then tap on the New Contact icon in the top right. Enter their full phone number including the country code and save the contact.
- If you don’t have their number, open a chat with someone who is mutual friends with the person. Tap their name at the top and then tap “Add to Contacts” to create a contact profile for them. Then you can start a new chat with them directly.
Once you have added them as a contact, their profile will show an indication of what country they are based in. This makes it easy to see when you are messaging someone internationally.
Starting a Chat
To start a chat with your new international contact, open WhatsApp and tap on the Chats tab. Tap the new contact’s name to open up a chat window with them. Send them a message saying hello and they will receive it instantly if they have an internet connection.
One advantage of WhatsApp is that sending messages internationally is completely free. WhatsApp uses your existing mobile data or WiFi connection to send messages and media. The only cost is whatever you already pay for your data plan.
Language Differences
When messaging someone from another country, there may be a language barrier. Here are some tips for overcoming it:
- Use simple language and avoid slang terms they may not understand.
- Use emoji icons to convey meaning beyond just text.
- Double check that your messages make sense before sending.
- Use built-in translation tools if you are struggling to understand each other.
WhatsApp has a built-in translation feature that can automatically translate messages into different languages. To enable it, tap and hold on a message and select “Translate”. This will translate the message text into your set language.
Troubleshooting International Chats
Sometimes you may encounter issues when trying to chat with international contacts on WhatsApp. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Messages not sending | Check your internet connection. Disable VPN if enabled. Restart your phone. |
| Messages sending but not delivered | The contact may have no internet access currently. Check back later. |
| Can’t add new international contact | Make sure you enter the full phone number including country code. |
| Undelivered messages | The contact may have blocked you. Reach out over another platform. |
The most common messaging issues can usually be resolved by checking your own internet connectivity and trying again later. If the problem persists over multiple days, you may need to reach out on another platform like social media to figure out what is going on.
Using WhatsApp Features
Once you are communicating smoothly, WhatsApp has great features to make your chats more engaging. Here are some tips for using WhatsApp with international contacts:
- Media Sharing – Send photos and videos to share moments from your daily life. WhatsApp compresses media to save data usage.
- Voice Messages – Avoid language issues by sending voice messages instead of typing out long texts.
- Video Calls – Chat face-to-face with video calls for more personal conversations.
- Group Chats – Add multiple international friends to a group chat to stay connected.
- WhatsApp Web – Chat from your computer for added convenience.
While texting is the core of WhatsApp, using other features can help make your chats more engaging, especially across language barriers. Sending photos, videos, voice messages and using video calls helps conversations feel more personal.
Saving on International Data Charges
One concern when using WhatsApp internationally is the potential for high data roaming charges. However, there are ways to reduce your data usage on WhatsApp chats when traveling or messaging overseas contacts:
- Enable WhatsApp’s data saver setting to compress images and video.
- Download media only when on WiFi to avoid mobile data fees.
- Consider getting a local SIM card when traveling to avoid roaming fees.
- If roaming, check for discounted data packages from your provider.
- Limit or avoid video calls which use more data.
- Set messages to download only when you open WhatsApp to conserve background data.
With some adjustments to your data settings, you can continue using WhatsApp features without racking up huge international data charges. Only download media and make video calls when on WiFi, and enable data saving to keep your background data usage low.
Using WhatsApp Wisely Overseas
Here are some final tips for staying connected internationally on WhatsApp while still using it wisely:
- Be respectful of different cultural communication norms.
- Avoid sending unwanted mass messages to groups.
- Remember time zone differences and don’t message at odd hours.
- Keep personal data and media private.
- Video call only with close trusted contacts.
Following basic etiquette goes a long way towards having positive international WhatsApp chats. Be considerate of local cultures, time zones, privacy, and avoid spamming groups. With good judgement, WhatsApp can be an amazing tool for staying in touch worldwide.
Conclusion
WhatsApp provides an easy and free way to communicate internationally. By adding contacts correctly, troubleshooting issues, using handy features, and configuring data settings, you can have great WhatsApp chats with people around the world. Follow cultural etiquette, communicate at reasonable hours, and don’t overshare personal details. With responsible use, WhatsApp can help maintain valuable personal connections across vast distances.