Adding new contacts to your WhatsApp address book is easy and allows you to start conversations with new people. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add contacts on both iPhone and Android.
Table of Contents
Why Add Contacts on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Adding contacts allows you to:
- Start conversations with new people you meet
- Connect with friends, family, coworkers, clients, etc.
- Grow your professional network
- Increase engagement with your audience if you use WhatsApp for business
Benefits:
- It’s free to use once you have a data plan or WiFi
- Works globally so you can connect with contacts around the world
- End-to-end encryption for secure messaging
- Supports text, voice messages, video calls, document sharing, and more
How to Add a Contact Manually
On iPhone
- Open the WhatsApp app and tap on the Chats tab at the bottom
- Tap on the pencil icon in the top-right to access your contacts
- Tap on New Contact
- Enter the contact’s name and phone number (with country code)
- You can also add other info like email, company, job title, etc.
- Tap Save when done
On Android
- Open WhatsApp and select the Chats tab
- Tap the chat icon in the bottom right
- Choose New Contact
- Enter the name, phone number, and any other details
- Tap Save in the top-right when finished
The new contact will now appear in your WhatsApp contacts list so you can start a conversation.
How to Scan a QR Code to Add a Contact
If you meet someone in person who uses WhatsApp, you can easily add them as a new contact by scanning their WhatsApp QR code instead of manually entering their details.
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Contacts tab
- Tap on Scan Code
- Use your camera to scan their QR code
- Check the details and tap Add
On Android
- In WhatsApp, go to the Chats tab
- Tap the 3 dots menu in the top-right
- Choose New Contact
- Select Scan code
- Scan their QR code with your camera
- Verify the details look correct and tap Add
And you’re done! This way is fast and easy when adding in-person contacts.
How to Import Device Contacts to WhatsApp
You likely already have a lot of contacts saved in your phone’s address book. Rather than manually adding them one by one to WhatsApp, you can import your entire device contacts list.
On iPhone
- Go to Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts
- Tap Import All to transfer them to WhatsApp
On Android
- Open WhatsApp and go to More Options > Settings > Contacts > Sync Contacts
- Tap Sync All Contacts to import your phone contacts
All your device contacts will now be visible as WhatsApp contacts. You can start conversations with anyone who has WhatsApp registered to their phone number.
Tips for Managing WhatsApp Contacts
Here are some tips to organize your WhatsApp contacts and keep your address book tidy:
- Delete old contacts you no longer talk to
- Use groups to message colleagues, family members, close friends etc.
- Sync contacts from time to time to update any new numbers
- Back up your chats so you don’t lose contact history
- Verify contacts to confirm their identity and avoid spam
Using WhatsApp for Business
WhatsApp can be a great tool for businesses to connect with customers. Some key features of WhatsApp Business accounts include:
- Business profile with business info, email, store addresses etc.
- Quick replies to frequently asked questions
- Labels to categorize different types of conversations
- Statistics and reports to analyze performance
- 24/7 customer support with multiple agents
- Chatbots to qualify leads automatically
Benefits
- Increase brand awareness and leads
- Provide customer support easily
- Engage your audience with updates, offers etc.
- Humanize your brand and build relationships
- Lower customer acquisition costs
So if you run any type of business, utilizing WhatsApp Business can help manage conversations at scale while delivering more personalized service.
I hope you found this guide helpful for adding contacts seamlessly to WhatsApp! Let me know if you have any other questions.
