How to Add Contacts on WhatsApp

This article shows you how to add a contact when using WhatsApp. While you can’t chat with someone who doesn’t have WhatsApp installed on their device, you can invite them to download the app.

Table of Contents

Add contacts on iPhone

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d9/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-1-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-1-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d9/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-1-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-1-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Allow WhatsApp to access your contacts in the following way:

Tap Settings

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/7/7e/Iphonesettingsappicon.png”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7e/ Iphonesettingsappicon.png/30px-Iphonesettingsappicon.png”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:460,”bigWidth”:30,”bigHeight”:30,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output” “></div>”}

(Setting).
Scroll to the bottom of the application list and select WhatsApp .
Push the slider at the Contacts line to the On position

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/1/15/Iphoneswitchonicon1.png”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/15/ Iphoneswitchonicon1.png/46px-Iphoneswitchonicon1.png”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:300,”bigWidth”:46,”bigHeight”:30,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output “></div>”}

(On).

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/73/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-2-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-2-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/73/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-2-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-2-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Open the WhatsApp app with the white phone icon on the green chat box.

If this is your first time opening WhatsApp on your phone, you will need to install WhatsApp.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5f/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5f/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the Chats tab at the bottom of the screen.

If WhatsApp opens a chat, just tap the back button in the upper left corner of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ae/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ae/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:346,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:547,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the box with the pencil in the upper-right corner of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/44/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/44/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:344,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:545,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap New Contact . You’ll find this option near the top of the page, below the Search bar. This is to open a new contact page.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f4/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f4/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the contact’s name in the “First” and “Last” fields.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/bf/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-7-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-7-Version-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bf/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-7-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-7-Version-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the phone number next to the mobile field. If you want to change the “mobile” label, tap the blue mobile label and select a new label like “work”, “home” or “iPhone” and then select Done to return to the main directory page.

Touch the country name to change the area code.

Add contact on Android

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/20/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-10-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-10-Version-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/20/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-10-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-10-Version-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Open the WhatsApp app with the white phone icon on the green chat box.

If this is your first time opening WhatsApp on your phone, you will need to install WhatsApp.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e3/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e3/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the chat box icon in the upper right corner of the screen, to the left of the ⋮ button.

If WhatsApp opens to a chat, tap ← in the upper-left corner of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/56/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-12-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-12-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/56/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-12-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-12-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:344,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:545,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap New contact . It’s the option above the Contacts menu, next to the person-shaped icon. This will take you to the create new contact page.

If you are asked to select an app, select the Contacts app and select Always .
If you have more than one Google account on your phone, select the account you want to use to add the contact.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/27/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-13-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-13-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/27/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-13-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-13-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the contact’s name in the “Name” field near the top of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e6/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-14-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-14-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e6/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-14-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-14-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the “Phone” field below the “Organization” field.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/96/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-15-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-15-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/96/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-15-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-15-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Enter the contact’s phone number. If it’s a phone number from another region, you’ll need to add an area code (such as “1” for the US or “44” for the UK) before the 10-digit phone number.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/c8/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-16-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-16-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c8/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-16-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-16-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the Done button in the upper-left corner of the screen. This is saving contact information in the Android Contacts app; Besides, if the newly added contact uses WhatsApp, you can contact them right away using WhatsApp.

Add new contact from chat

Invite contacts to use WhatsApp on iPhone

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/2e/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-22-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-22-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/2e/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-22-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-22-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Open the WhatsApp app with the white phone icon on the green chat box.

If this is your first time opening WhatsApp on your phone, you will need to install WhatsApp.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/a8/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-23-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-23-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a8/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-23-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-23-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Settings in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

If WhatsApp opens to a chat, tap the back button in the upper-left corner of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/fe/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-24-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-24-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/fe/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-24-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-24-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select Tell a Friend . You’ll see this option at the bottom of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e1/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-25-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-25-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e1/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-25-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-25-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Message in the middle of the window shown here.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/fb/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-26-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-26-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/fb/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-26-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-26-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap a friend’s name. Maybe you have to swipe through the list to find their name.

The names shown here are people who have not used WhatsApp in your iPhone contacts.
You can use the search bar at the top of the screen to find a specific contact.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/86/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-27-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-27-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/86/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-27-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-27-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Send 1 Invite in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open a new message window with a link to WhatsApp.

If you’ve selected multiple contacts, you’ll see Send [Number] Invites .

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/04/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-28-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-28-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/04/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-28-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-28-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the send arrow. It’s the green or blue icon to the right of the message window near the bottom of the screen. This is to send an invitation to the selected contact; if they download and sign up for WhatsApp, you can contact them through this app.

Invite contacts to use WhatsApp on Android

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/eb/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-29-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-29-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/eb/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-29-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-29-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Open the WhatsApp app with the white phone icon on the green chat box.

If this is your first time opening WhatsApp on your phone, you will need to install WhatsApp.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d0/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-30-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-30-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d0/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-30-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-30-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the ⋮ option in the upper-right corner of the screen.

If WhatsApp opens a chat, you’ll tap ← in the upper-left corner of the screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/14/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-31-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add- a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-31-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/14/Add-a-Contact-on- WhatsApp-Step-31-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-31-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Settings below the drop-down menu here.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/a4/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-32.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact- on-WhatsApp-Step-32.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a4/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-32.jpg/ v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-32.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:” <div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Invite a Friend at the bottom of the Settings menu.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/19/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-33.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact- on-WhatsApp-Step-33.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/19/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-33.jpg/ v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-33.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:” <div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Messages with the chat box icon.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ab/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-34.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact- on-WhatsApp-Step-34.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ab/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-34.jpg/ v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-34.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:344,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:545,”licensing”:” <div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap a friend’s name in the contact list. You may have to swipe through the list to find the person you’re looking for.

The names displayed here are people who have not used Whatsapp in Android’s contacts.
You can use the search bar at the top of the screen to find a specific contact.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8f/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-35.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact- on-WhatsApp-Step-35.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8f/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-35.jpg/ v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-35.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:” <div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap Send 1 Invite in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open a new message window with a link to WhatsApp.

If you’ve selected multiple contacts, you’ll see Send [Number] Invites .

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/3f/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-36.jpg/v4-728px-Add-a-Contact- on-WhatsApp-Step-36.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3f/Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-36.jpg/ v4-728px-Add-a-Contact-on-WhatsApp-Step-36.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:” <div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Tap the send button. This is to send invitations to selected contacts. If they download WhatsApp, their contact information will be automatically added to the WhatsApp contacts.

Steps

Add contacts on iPhone

Add contact on Android

Add new contact from chat

Invite contacts to use WhatsApp on iPhone

Invite contacts to use WhatsApp on Android

Related Posts