BIG Tech News: WhatsApp No Longer Required to Message on WhatsApp

This change, currently in the trial phase, is set to redefine how people communicate across different messaging platforms.

By Gaurav Santosh Sep 8, 2024, 15:13 IST

In a groundbreaking shift for messaging apps, Meta has announced that you will soon be able to send messages to WhatsApp users from any messaging app without needing to have WhatsApp installed on your smartphone. This change, currently in the trial phase, is set to redefine how people communicate across different messaging platforms.

One App to Rule Them All

Meta, one of the leading technology companies globally, has decided to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). This regulation allows smartphone users the freedom to send messages using any single messaging app to recipients using different apps. Thus, whether your messaging app is WhatsApp, Messenger, or any other platform, you'll be able to communicate seamlessly across different applications.

Meta owns both WhatsApp and Messenger, two major messaging platforms. With this update, users of either app will be able to send messages to users of any other messaging app, regardless of whether that app is part of Meta’s ecosystem.

Trial of Third-Party Messaging Integration

Meta has revealed that it will be adding new notifications to both WhatsApp and Messenger. These notifications will inform users of incoming messages from third-party apps. Additionally, WhatsApp users will have the option to choose which third-party app messages they wish to receive and manage how these messages appear in their inbox. They can choose to keep all messages in the main inbox or create a separate folder for third-party communications.

The new “Rich Messaging Features” will also allow WhatsApp users to directly reply to messages received from third-party apps and provide other basic functionalities. By 2025, WhatsApp will support third-party users in groups, and by 2027, users will be able to make voice and video calls to and from any messaging app.

This development represents a significant step towards a more interconnected and user-friendly messaging experience, as Meta continues to adapt to regulatory changes and user needs.