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WhatsApp is testing cross-platform chats: Here’s everything we know so far

WhatsApp says users will be able to send messages, photos, videos, voice notes and documents to third-party messaging apps, but features like status updates, disappearing messages, and stickers won't be supported.

WhatsApp's cross platform messaging feature is currently limited to some testers in the EU. (Express Photo)

WhatsApp has been working on bringing the ability to message people on other platforms without having to download multiple apps for quite some time now. Now, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform has reportedly started testing the feature. According to a new report by WABetaInfo, it appears the feature is now live as several users in the European Union are saying they are able to communicate with others on the latest beta version of the app.

Here’s what it will look like. (Image Source: WABetaInfo)

What do we know about WhatsApp’s cross-platform messaging feature?

The cross-platform messaging functionality is still under development and isn’t ready for launch, but the update gives us a glimpse of how WhatsApp will work with other apps in the coming years. If the functionality is available on your account, it can be activated by navigating to Settings> Account> Third-party chats.

Third-party chats on WhatsApp will allow users to send messages, photos, videos, voice notes and documents. Users also have the option to organise incoming messages into a combined or separate inbox, depending on their preference. If you select the Combined option, all your WhatsApp and third-party conversations will be clubbed in a unified inbox, but if you choose the Separated option, third-party chats will be stored in a dedicated folder

And while you will get push notifications, select media upload quality and get in-app alerts when talking to users using third-party apps, WhatsApp features like status updates, disappearing messages, and stickers won’t be supported. Also, people you have blocked on WhatsApp may be able to contact you using third-party apps.

Users will also have the option to control whether they want to see a notification when receiving a request from someone using a third-party app, allowing them to decide whether to be alerted immediately or review requests later. Unlike WhatsApp, which supports end-to-end encryption, third-party apps will most likely have different data protection regulations and practices. While WhatsApp won’t be able to access or read your messages in third-party chats, they will be end-to-end encrypted.

One thing to note is that WhatsApp’s third-party chat feature is completely optional for all users, meaning you can disable it, and WhatsApp will work as it is now. WhatsApp support for third-party chats is expected to roll out in the European Union sometime next year, but users will have to wait until 2027 to make voice and video calls to other platforms.

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Whatsapp