How to add contacts from iPhone to WhatsApp

When it comes to messaging apps, WhatsApp is considered one of the best. It’s easy to use and uses end-to-end encryption to keep your messages secure.

If you’re downloading WhatsApp with an iPhone, you can import your existing contact list. Fortunately, WhatsApp and iPhone communicate directly and it is very simple. This article will explain how to add contacts from an iPhone to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp automatic synchronization

When you install WhatsApp on your iPhone, it should automatically sync contacts stored on your iPhone. If any of your contacts also have a WhatsApp account, they will be automatically added to the WhatsApp contact list. Typically, you don’t need to do anything extra to sync iPhone contacts.

What if my contacts don’t sync automatically?

Occasionally, iPhone users reported that their contacts were not syncing automatically. If this is your case, check WhatsApp permissions on your phone:

1. Open iPhone settings.
   
2. Go to “WhatsApp”.
   
3. Verify that all permissions are enabled.
   

Once you’re sure your permissions are enabled, you can tell the iPhone to sync with WhatsApp. To do this, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the iPhone settings menu.
   
2. Choose “Accounts.”
   
3. Select “Google.”
   
4. Activate the option to sync contacts with your device.
   

If WhatsApp didn’t sync your contacts originally, this should initiate a sync so that your iPhone contacts and your WhatsApp contacts now work seamlessly together.

How to manually sync WhatsApp with iPhone

Sometimes you may need to manually sync WhatsApp with your phone. When this happens, you can easily do it with a few taps:

1. Open the Settings menu.
   
2. Choose “Users and Accounts” or “Passwords and Accounts.”
3. Select WhatsApp from the list and tap “Account Sync.”
4. The button next to contacts should be toggled to communicate with the phone and sync contacts now.

Your WhatsApp and iPhone contacts should now start syncing automatically.

How to add contacts manually

In case you find some contacts that don’t migrate to WhatsApp automatically, or you need to add a specific contact manually for some reason, doing so is easy. Follow these steps to manually add an iPhone contact to WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap the Chats menu. The icon is at the bottom of the screen and looks like two overlapping speech bubbles.
   
2. Click the pencil and paper icon in the top right corner to open a new chat.
   
3. Tap “New Contact.”
   
4. A contact form will open that looks a lot like an iPhone contact page. Add contact information and click Save.
   

How to add contacts by QR code

WhatsApp has an additional feature where you can add a contact by scanning a QR code on your phone. When you meet someone and want to get to know each other over WhatsApp, this is a great way to add each other’s contact information instantly.

On your friend’s phone:

1. Open WhatsApp.
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. In the top right corner next to your friend’s name, tap the QR code symbol. This will display the QR code.
   

After that, go to your phone:

1. Open WhatsApp.
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap the QR code symbol next to your name in the top right corner.
   
4. Tap “Scan” at the bottom of the screen and place your phone on your friend’s phone to scan their QR code with your camera. Your phone will vibrate when the scan is complete.
   
5. Tap “Add to Contacts” to complete the process.
   

Add international contacts to WhatsApp

An advantage of WhatsApp is that you can use Wi-Fi to make calls. You can even make international calls without using your cell service. Adding an international contact is quick and easy.

• Be sure to start the phone number with a + sign.
• Start the phone number with the international calling code for that country. A list of these can be found here.
• Many countries have a leading 0 for local calls before you type the carrier code, so check to see if you need to exclude it.
• Each country has a different phone number format and length, so make sure you type the number correctly.

Sending WhatsApp invitations to contacts

The best part of having WhatsApp is being able to chat with all your friends and family. To make the most of the app, you’ll want to invite any of your contacts who aren’t already on WhatsApp. Invite contacts to join you on WhatsApp with these steps:

1. Go to “Settings” in WhatsApp. It’s the gear icon at the bottom right of the home screen.
   
2. Scroll down to find the heart icon next to “Tell a Friend” and select it.
   
3. Tap “Message” in the pop-up window that appears.
   
4. WhatsApp creates an invitation that you can send by entering your friend’s contact information.
   

The more friends, the better. Invite all your contacts to build your WhatsApp base.

Transfer WhatsApp contacts to a new phone

When you get a new phone, the biggest headache is all the information that needs to be transferred from your old device. Fortunately, transferring contacts is not difficult. Read on to find out how to save your WhatsApp contacts to a new phone.

WhatsApp has a built-in feature to backup chat. The first step will be to enable this feature on the old device:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap “More options” in the top right corner of the screen.
   
2. Select “Settings,” “Chats,” “Chat Backup,” and “Back Up Now.”
   
3. Go to “Save to iCloud” and continue with the prompts and instructions.

Once the backup process is complete, you can use it to populate your new phone with all your contacts:

1. On your new phone, install and open WhatsApp.
   
2. Follow the instructions to restore contacts from iCloud backup.

All your WhatsApp contacts will now be available on your new phone.

Delete a WhatsApp contact

If you want to delete an unwanted contact from WhatsApp, you can do it from the application:

1. Launch WhatsApp and tap “Chats.”
   
2. Tap the “New Chat” button to bring up a list of your WhatsApp contacts.
   
3. Find the contact you want to delete and tap its icon.
   
4. Tap their name at the top of the chat screen.
   
5. To delete that contact, select “Edit” and “Delete Contact.”
   

Once you do this, the contact will be completely removed from the phone’s address book.

Frequent questions

Can I add a contact who does not have a WhatsApp account?

If you can. Add the contact as you normally would and you will have the option to invite them to WhatsApp. Once they join, you will have them on your list.

Can I talk to contacts through the app who don’t have a WhatsApp account?

No, you will not be able to contact them via WhatsApp until they create an account. You can send them an invitation to join you on WhatsApp.

Can I use the WhatsApp camera to scan a friend’s QR code?

If you can. If you’re familiar with the WhatsApp camera, it’s a simple way to scan a QR code to connect with a friend on WhatsApp.

Can I also add contacts to WhatsApp on an Android device?

Yes, adding contacts from an Android device is as easy as adding them from an iPhone. WhatsApp works on both platforms and should connect seamlessly from your contact list to your WhatsApp account. In most cases, the steps for working with an iPhone are the same as for Android.

Add contacts from iPhone to WhatsApp

Having all your contacts at the touch of an icon is a great way to stay in touch. WhatsApp makes sending messages easy and fun. Mirroring your contacts from iPhone to WhatsApp can keep you connected and sync your contacts seamlessly.

Did you add contacts to WhatsApp with these instructions? Tell us in the comments below.