WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to easily connect with your existing friends and family. However, you may sometimes find it difficult to locate your contacts on WhatsApp if you don’t have their phone number saved or don’t know their WhatsApp username. Here are some tips on how to find and add your friends on WhatsApp.
Check Your Phone’s Contacts
The easiest way to find your friends on WhatsApp is to check if their phone number is already saved in your phone’s contacts. WhatsApp automatically scans your phone contacts and matches the numbers to its database of users. If any of your contacts are already using WhatsApp, they will show up in your WhatsApp contacts list. All you need to do is tap on their name to start chatting. If you don’t have a particular friend’s number saved, add it to your phone’s contacts first and then check WhatsApp to see if they show up.
Search by Name
If you don’t have the phone number of the friend you want to find, you can search for them directly on WhatsApp using their name. Here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone
- Tap on the Chats tab at the bottom
- Tap on the search icon at the top
- Type your friend’s name into the search bar
- WhatsApp will display a list of matches based on names and numbers saved in your contacts
- Tap on your friend’s name if it appears in the search results
- This will open a chat with them so you can start messaging
One thing to note is that the name search only works if your friend’s name is saved in their WhatsApp profile info or in your phone’s contacts. If you don’t see them in the search results, move on to the next method.
Use WhatsApp Invite Link
Every WhatsApp user has a unique invite link that can be used to add them as a contact. If you have your friend’s invite link, you can directly add them through the link. Here is how:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Chats tab
- Tap on the 3 dots menu icon at the top right
- Select ‘Invite friends’
- Tap on ‘Send invite via link’
- Choose the messaging app you want to use to send the invite link e.g. email, Facebook etc.
- Paste your friend’s invite link in the message
- Send this message to your friend
- When your friend clicks the invite link, it will open WhatsApp and automatically add you to their contacts
This method is great when you don’t have your friend’s number. The only catch is that you need to get the WhatsApp invite link from your friend first via another messaging platform.
Use WhatsApp Group Invite
If you and your friend have a common WhatsApp group, you can add each other through group invites. Here is how it works:
- Open the WhatsApp group you have in common with your friend
- Tap on the group name at the top to open group info
- Scroll down and tap ‘Invite to group via link’
- Choose a messaging app and tap send
- This will generate a group invite link
- Send this group invite link directly to your friend through another messaging app
- When your friend accepts the invite, they will be added to the group
- You can then go to their profile from the group and add them to your WhatsApp contacts
The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require knowing your friend’s number or having their invite link. As long as you share a WhatsApp group, you can connect with each other through group invites.
Send a WhatsApp Message Request
WhatsApp also allows you to send message requests to people even if you don’t have their number. Here is how it works:
- Go to the Chats tab in WhatsApp
- Tap on the 3 dots menu icon
- Choose ‘New chat’
- Tap on ‘New Contact’
- Enter your friend’s full phone number
- Tap on the send icon
This will send a message request to your friend through WhatsApp. When they accept it, you will be added to each other’s contacts. The request will include your name so your friend knows it’s you. This method can be helpful if you don’t have any other way to get your friend’s WhatsApp details.
Search by WhatsApp Username
WhatsApp also allows users to create a unique username for their account, like @johndoe. If you know your friend’s WhatsApp username, you can use it to search for their account and send them a message. Here is how to search by username:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab
- Tap on the search icon at the top
- Enter the ‘@’ symbol followed by their username e.g. @johndoe
- WhatsApp will show matches for that username
- Select your friend’s account and start chatting
The username search works even if you don’t have your friend’s number saved. However, both you and your friend need to have a WhatsApp username set up for this method to work.
Use Third-Party Contact Discovery Apps
There are some third party apps that can help discover your friend’s WhatsApp number if you allow them access to your phone contacts and WhatsApp data. Some popular options are:
- WhatsPlus – Finds common WhatsApp contacts from your phonebook
- Get Contacts – Matches your contacts to WhatsApp users
- Contact Discovery – Searches your connections for matches
- TrueCaller – Crowdsources WhatsApp numbers from users
While these apps can be useful, be cautious about privacy. Only use reputable apps and read the terms & conditions carefully before allowing access to your contacts and WhatsApp data.
Search on Facebook
Since WhatsApp and Facebook are both owned by Meta, you can also search for your friends directly via Facebook. Here are the steps:
- Open the Facebook app on your phone
- Go to your friend’s profile that you want to find on WhatsApp
- Tap on the ‘…’ menu icon
- Choose ‘Cross-App Chat Shortcut’
- This will open a chat window with your friend on WhatsApp
This shortcut only works if you and your friend both have your Facebook accounts linked to WhatsApp. But it can be a handy way to quickly start a WhatsApp chat right from the Facebook app.
Scan QR Codes
WhatsApp allows users to create a unique QR code for their profiles. If your friend shares their WhatsApp QR code with you, you can simply scan it to add them instantly. Here is how:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Chats tab
- Tap on the 3 dots menu icon
- Select ‘New chat’
- Tap on ‘Scan QR code’
- Point your phone’s camera at your friend’s QR code to scan it
- This will instantly add them to your WhatsApp contacts
QR codes provide the quickest way to add new WhatsApp contacts without needing their phone number. But your friend has to share the QR code with you through a different platform first.
Conclusion
Finding and adding friends on WhatsApp can be easy if you use the right techniques. The best options are checking your phone’s contacts, searching by name or username, or using invite links and QR codes. You can also turn to group invites, message requests, third party apps or Facebook integration if needed. With over 2 billion users worldwide, chances are most of your friends are already on WhatsApp. Use these tips to connect with your close circles and stay in touch through easy WhatsApp messaging.