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 create groups where you can communicate with multiple people at once.
When creating a WhatsApp group, you usually need to add each contact individually from your phone’s address book. However, there may be times when you want to add a number to a group, without having that number saved as a contact.
There are a couple ways to add a number to a WhatsApp group, without having to save the number as a contact first. In this guide, we will go through both methods.
Method 1: Using a Link
The easiest way to add a number to a WhatsApp group is by using an invite link. Here is how it works:
- Open the WhatsApp group you want to add the number to.
- Tap on the Group name at the top of the screen.
- Tap on Invite via link.
- Choose how long you want the link to remain valid for.
- Tap Generate link. This will create a private link for the group.
- Tap on the link to copy it.
- Send the invite link to the person/number you want to add.
- When they click on the link, it will open WhatsApp and directly add them to the group.
The advantage of using the invite link is that you don’t need to have the contact saved in your phone. As long as you can send the link to that number, either directly or through another messaging app, they can join the group easily.
The disadvantage is that the link is open to anyone you send it to. So only share it with someone you want to join the group.
Method 2: Using a Special Character
If you don’t want to generate a group invite link, there is another way to add a number to a WhatsApp group without having their contact. This method uses a special character in the number.
Here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp group you want to add the number to.
- Tap on the Group name at the top of the screen.
- Tap on Add participants.
- Type in the phone number you want to add. Make sure to include the country code at the start.
- Add a special character immediately after the country code. This could be a comma (,), forward slash (/), asterisk (*), or other special character.
- Tap on the Add button to add the number to the group.
For example, if you want to add the number 123-456-7890 to a group, you would type it as +1*,123-456-7890. The special character tells WhatsApp to treat this as a number to be added, rather than trying to match it with an existing contact.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require generating a group link. But the disadvantage is that you need to know what special character WhatsApp treats as a signal to add by number. This seems to change occasionally, so the exact special character to use is not always reliable.
Why Add Contacts Without Saving Number?
There are a few reasons why you may want to use these methods to add a number to a WhatsApp group, without saving them as a contact:
- You want to include someone temporarily in a group chat, but don’t need their permanent contact.
- You want to preserve your contacts list from getting too cluttered with numbers you rarely message.
- You want to keep your main contacts list limited to people you know and communicate with frequently.
- You don’t have time to save a new contact, but need to quickly add someone to a group.
- You received a new number but aren’t sure if you want to save it to contacts yet.
The ability to add numbers without saving contacts gives you added flexibility when managing your WhatsApp groups. You can include people on a temporary or trial basis, without affecting your main contacts list.
Tips for Adding Numbers Without Contacts
Here are some additional tips when using these methods:
- Double check that you’re entering the correct country code and number, before sending an invite link or using the special character when adding.
- For the special character method, try a comma first as this often works as the signal character.
- You can revoke a WhatsApp group invite link at any time to invalidate it.
- There is no limit to the number of people you can add via an invite link.
- If the person you are adding uninstalls WhatsApp, they will be removed from any groups added using these methods.
- Numbers added via these methods will not show up in your main WhatsApp contacts list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work for adding individual contacts too?
Yes, you can use the special character method to add an individual contact in WhatsApp without saving their number to your contacts list. Simply type their number with the special character in the WhatsApp search bar, and you can message them directly.
Can I create a permanent invite link for my group?
No, WhatsApp does not allow you to create a permanent open invite link for groups. Group invite links will expire after a set period of time, usually 1-3 days.
Do all group members see when I add someone using a link?
Yes, when you add someone via an invite link, a notification is posted in the group chat stating that the person joined using the group link. So all members will see when someone new is added this way.
If I delete a contact, will they be removed from any common groups?
No, deleting a contact does not remove them from any WhatsApp groups you have in common. They will remain part of those groups until manually removed.
Can I find old invite links that I have created for groups?
Unfortunately no, there is no way to view previously generated WhatsApp group invite links. You have to create a new invite link each time for a group.
Conclusion
Adding numbers to WhatsApp groups without saving their contacts can be very useful. The two main methods are using an invite link, or adding a special character along with the number. Both allow you to quickly add someone to a group chat without affecting your main contacts list.
Some key advantages are avoiding contact list clutter, adding people temporarily, and preserving your private contacts. Just be sure to use these methods selectively for numbers you wish to include in group chats. With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp continues adding flexible ways to manage contacts and groups at scale.
| Method | How To | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invite Link | Generate a private link and send to the number you want to add | Don’t need their contact saved Can add multiple numbers |
Link can be forwarded to anyone |
| Special Character | Add a special character like comma after country code when entering number | Don’t need a separate invite link | Special character may not always work |
WhatsApp is designed for connecting friends and family, but these tips allow you to better manage your digital footprint. Technology should adapt to your needs, not the other way around. Try out these methods for seamlessly adding numbers to your WhatsApp groups and enjoy the added convenience!
WhatsApp continues to find new ways to improve the messaging experience for its billions of users worldwide. With video calls, disappearing messages, chat backups, and intuitive group management, it’s no wonder WhatsApp has become the communication hub for so many people across the globe. Going forward, we can expect more enhancements that bridge connections in a simpler, more flexible manner. The ability to link across contacts and groups without friction is key to bringing people closer together.
Communication should not be limited by technology, but empowered by it. WhatsApp removes traditional roadblocks that can isolate conversations and complicate connections. With a focus on universal access, strong encryption, and a clutter-free interface, WhatsApp delivers messaging capabilities that users truly want. Convenience features like adding numbers directly to groups demonstrate how WhatsApp is optimizing for the people-first experience. Intuitive design paired with robust infrastructure is a winning formula for driving global engagement.
As WhatsApp continues to shape the communication landscape, we can look forward to more enhancements aimed at facilitating seamless interactions. The platform now sits at the core of messaging for over a quarter of the world’s population. With this foundation, WhatsApp is poised to build even more bridges that link people together into valuable relationships and communities. The ability to instantly converse with important contacts or groups, unencumbered by technological hurdles, will only grow in importance. We are excited to see WhatsApp continue to innovate in ways that keep users happily connected.