WhatsApp to soon let users add contacts from any linked device

WhatsApp update: WhatsApp today announced that soon all its users will be able to save new contacts from any linked device. As of now, users can save contacts only from their smartphones either by manually typing a phone number or by scanning the QR code of the contact within the app. But this is about to change as the Meta Platforms-owned messaging app today announced that soon users will be able to add and manage contacts via WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp's Windows-based app. The company also said that in time it will also let users add and manage contacts via other linked devices, including its Mac-based app.

WhatsApp update: Save contacts exclusively within the app

In addition to the ability to save contacts via linked devices, Meta also introduced a new feature that will let users save new contacts exclusively within WhatsApp. "These WhatsApp contacts are ideal for when you are sharing your phone with others or if you want to separate personal and business contacts when managing more than one WhatsApp account on your phone," WhatsApp wrote in a post announcing the new features adding that contacts that users save exclusively within WhatsApp will be restored even if users change their devices or lose them. 

Furthermore, the company said that users will also be able to customise their contact list for multiple accounts that they use on a single device. That said, WhatsApp is not using end-to-end-encryption, the technique that it uses to protect messages shared on its platform, to safeguard contacts saved exclusively within the app. Instead, it is using a new encrypted storage system called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS) for the same.

WhatsApp teases usernames

Lastly, the company said that in the near future, users will also be able to save and manage contacts using usernames – another new feature coming to the messaging platform. In its blog post, Meta said, “usernames on WhatsApp will add an extra degree of privacy so that you don't need to share your phone number when messaging someone.” This means users will be able to search for contacts on WhatsApp, just as they do on Telegram, when the username feature is rolled out. That said, the company hasn't shared a potential timeline of availability for this feature yet.