What happens if someone isn't in my contacts list but is using WhatsApp - briefly?
If someone is not in your contacts list but is using WhatsApp, you can still communicate with them by saving their phone number to your device's contacts or adding them as a contact within the WhatsApp app itself. This allows you to initiate a conversation and send messages directly to that person.
What happens if someone isn't in my contacts list but is using WhatsApp - in detail?
When someone isn't in your contacts list but is using WhatsApp, several key factors come into play:
Firstly, WhatsApp uses phone numbers as unique identifiers for its users. If you have the person's phone number and they are registered on WhatsApp, you can initiate a chat with them even if they aren't in your contacts list. To start a conversation, simply open WhatsApp, go to the "Chats" tab, click on the new chat icon (usually represented by a pencil or plus sign), and enter their phone number. If the number is registered on WhatsApp, you will be able to send them a message.
Secondly, privacy settings play a crucial role in determining how visible a user's information is to others. By default, your profile picture, status, and last seen are visible to everyone, but you can adjust these settings to restrict who sees this information. If the person has adjusted their privacy settings to limit visibility, some of their details might not be available to you.
Thirdly, if the person is using WhatsApp Business, they may have a different phone number for business communications. In this case, even if you have their personal phone number, you wouldn't be able to contact them through WhatsApp unless you have their business phone number.
Lastly, it's important to note that WhatsApp has implemented end-to-end encryption for all messages sent on the platform. This means that even if someone isn't in your contacts list but is using WhatsApp, your conversations will still be secure and private. Only you and the person you are communicating with can read what is sent or received.
In summary, while having someone in your contacts list makes it easier to start a conversation on WhatsApp, it's not a strict requirement. As long as you have their phone number, you can initiate communication. However, privacy settings and the use of WhatsApp Business may affect what information is visible or accessible to you.