A new feature on the horizon for WhatsApp users promises to enhance communication across various platforms. An upcoming update will introduce a button that allows users of third-party applications to engage in chats directly within the Meta messenger. This means that messages sent from other applications, such as Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and even iMessage, will be able to reach your WhatsApp inbox.
According to a report by WaBetaInfo, the new third-party chat request button will be located in the Settings menu, giving users the flexibility to enable or disable cross-platform messaging. This thoughtful design ensures that WhatsApp users can maintain control over their messaging experience, preventing their app from being overwhelmed by conversations from other platforms. Additionally, these incoming messages will be organized into a separate inbox, helping to mitigate any potential confusion. However, it is important to note that WhatsApp cannot guarantee the same level of security and privacy for these messages as it does for its native communications, which are protected by end-to-end encryption.
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Currently, this notification feature is still under development, with WhatsApp working diligently on cross-platform capabilities for nearly two years. As it stands, no third-party applications can communicate with WhatsApp, and the timeline for the update’s release remains uncertain. The feature has yet to reach beta testers, who are typically tech-savvy individuals tasked with evaluating software before it becomes widely available.
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This transformative feature has the potential to position WhatsApp as a central hub for a majority of user conversations. However, there is a significant caveat: this functionality will only be accessible to users located within the European Union. The impetus for this development stems from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which imposes a series of regulations that tech companies must adhere to in order to operate within the bloc.
Among the stipulations outlined in the DMA is a prohibition against so-called “gatekeeper services,” which are applications that restrict communication to users of the same app. As a result, all messaging applications within the EU, including iMessage, Telegram, Google Messages, and Signal, must be interoperable with one another, thus paving the way for WhatsApp to facilitate third-party messaging.
“There’s real tension between offering an easy way to provide this interoperability to third parties while at the same time preserving WhatsApp’s privacy, security, and integrity,” remarked Dick Brouwer, engineering director at WhatsApp, in an interview with Wired earlier this year. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far.
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Brouwer also highlighted that participation in this feature will be entirely opt-in, addressing concerns that it could become a significant source of scams and spam. With this commitment to user choice, WhatsApp is taking meaningful steps toward enhancing its platform while safeguarding user experience.
Best WhatsApp tips and hacks
For those eager to maximize their WhatsApp experience, there are numerous hidden features, tips, and hacks to explore, ensuring users can fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.
