How to Add Someone on WhatsApp: Complete Guide 2025

10 Min Read

Written by

Raneya Selina

Published on

October 25, 2024

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, allowing people to stay connected through simple, secure, and reliable messaging. While WhatsApp is easy to use, customizing your experience can enhance your interaction with the app. One great way to do this is by changing your keyboard theme, which adds a personal touch to your chats and can make texting more enjoyable. Whether chatting with friends or connecting with new contacts, having a customized keyboard can boost your user experience.

This guide will walk you through how to add someone on WhatsApp across different platforms, from Android to iPhone. We’ll also cover adding international contacts and more, giving you everything you need to know for smooth WhatsApp communication. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process and ensure your WhatsApp experience is seamless!

How to Add Someone on WhatsApp: A Quick Guide

Adding someone on WhatsApp is a simple process that allows you to connect with friends, family, or colleagues in just a few taps. Whether you’re new to WhatsApp or need a refresher, here’s a quick guide to help you add contacts easily through the mobile app.

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone
2. Click on the Green Bubble
3. Choose the New Contact option
4. Fill the details
5. Press the Save option

And that’s it! Adding someone on WhatsApp takes just a minute, allowing you to chat with them immediately.

How to Add Someone on WhatsApp on Android?

Adding a contact on WhatsApp using your Android device is an easy process. Whether you’re trying to connect with someone new or a colleague from work, you can do it in just a few steps. Follow the guide below, and you can add contacts and chat quickly.

1. Open WhatsApp

Launch the WhatsApp app on your Android device. You’ll be directed to your chat list.

2. Tap on the Chat Icon

At the bottom right corner of the screen, you’ll see a chat icon (a green message bubble). Tap on it.

3. Select ‘New Contact’

After tapping the chat icon, you’ll see a “New Contact” option at the top of your screen. Tap on it.

4. Enter the Contact’s Details

In the new screen that opens, you must input the contact’s name and phone number. Ensure to include the correct country code if they are from another country.

5. Save the Contact

Once you’ve entered the details, tap Save. The contact will be saved in your phone’s address book and WhatsApp.

6. Start Chatting

Now that the contact is saved, go back to your chat list. You can search for the contact by name or search your contact list to find them. Tap their name and start chatting!

And there you have it! Adding someone on WhatsApp using Android is as simple as following these easy steps. Now, you’re ready to stay connected and enjoy seamless communication.

How to Add Someone on WhatsApp on iPhone?

Adding a contact on WhatsApp using your iPhone is quick and easy. Whether adding a friend, family member, or a new colleague, you can do it in just a few steps. Follow this guide, and you’ll be ready to chat quickly.

1. Open WhatsApp

Begin by launching the WhatsApp app from your iPhone’s home screen. You’ll land on the Chats tab, where your conversations are listed.

2. Tap on the New Chat Icon

You’ll see a square icon with a pencil in the top right corner of the Chats screen. Tap on it to open the new chat options.

3. Select ‘New Contact’

A new screen will open with a list of your current WhatsApp contacts. At the top of this list, you’ll see an option for “New Contact.” Tap on it to add someone new.

4. Enter Contact Details

You’ll be prompted to fill in the contact’s name and phone number. Ensure to enter the whole phone number, including the country code if the person is from another country.

5. Save the Contact

Once you’ve entered the details, tap Save in the top right corner. This will store the contact in your phone’s address book and WhatsApp.

6. Find and Chat with the Contact

After saving, go back to the Chats tab. You can either search for the person by their name or scroll through your contact list. Tap on the contact to open the chat window and start messaging!

And that’s it! Adding someone on WhatsApp from your iPhone is that simple. You’re ready to chat and stay connected with your new contact.

How to Add Someone on WhatsApp Without a Phone Number?

WhatsApp is designed to connect users via their phone numbers, and currently, there is no official way to add someone without using their phone number. Every WhatsApp account is tied to a phone number, meaning it’s a critical piece of information needed to connect with someone on the platform.

However, if you don’t have someone’s phone number directly but you’re connected through other platforms, there are a few ways you can still try to add them on WhatsApp:

1. Ask for the Phone Number

The simplest way is to ask the person for their phone number. You can contact them through email, social media, or any other communication method, and request their number to add them on WhatsApp.

2. Use a WhatsApp Group

You can save their contact from within the group if you’re both on the same WhatsApp Group. Here’s how:

1. Open the group chat.
2. Tap the group name at the top to view the participants.
3. Scroll through the list of participants and find the person you want to add.
4. Tap their name, then select “Add to Contacts.”
5. Enter their name and save. They will now appear in your WhatsApp contacts.

3. WhatsApp Business QR Codes

If the person uses WhatsApp Business, they may have shared a QR code for their business profile. You can scan this code to instantly connect with them on WhatsApp. If you want to create it for yourself then use our easy to use WhatsApp QR Code Generator.

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
2. Tap on the QR code icon next to your profile name.
3. Use the “Scan” option to scan the person’s WhatsApp QR code.

How to Add Someone on WhatsApp from Another Country?

Adding someone on WhatsApp from another country is very simple, and the process is almost the same as adding a local contact. The key difference is ensuring you enter the phone number in the correct international format, which includes the country code. Let’s walk you through the steps to add an international contact and stay connected, no matter where they are.

1. Open WhatsApp

Launch the WhatsApp app on your device.

2. Tap on the New Chat Icon

In the Chats tab, tap on the new chat icon (usually at the top or bottom of your screen).

3. Select ‘New Contact’

From the options, tap on New Contact. This will open a new screen where you can enter the contact’s details.

4. Enter the Phone Number with Country Code

Here’s the important part: You must input the person’s phone number in the international format. This means:

5. Save the Contact

Once the contact details are entered correctly, tap Save. The contact will now be stored in your phone’s address book and WhatsApp.

6. Start Chatting

After saving, return to your chat list. You can search for the contact by name or search your contact list to find them. Tap on their name and start chatting!

And there you go! Now, you’re ready to chat with someone from any corner of the globe on WhatsApp. It’s all about entering the correct number format with the country code, and you’ll be connected in no time.

Why Can’t I Add a Contact to WhatsApp?

If you’re having trouble adding a contact to WhatsApp, don’t worry—you’re not alone. There are several reasons why this might happen, and most of them can be easily fixed. Let’s review some common issues and how to resolve them to successfully add your contact.

1. Incorrect Phone Number Format

One of the most common reasons you can’t add a contact to WhatsApp is due to an incorrect phone number format. Ensure you’ve entered the full phone number, including the country code, if the person is from another country. For example, if you’re trying to add a US number, you should enter it as +1, followed by the phone number.

2. The Contact Doesn’t Have WhatsApp Installed

If the person you’re trying to add doesn’t have WhatsApp installed on their phone, they won’t appear in your WhatsApp contacts. You can still save their number to your phone’s address book, but you won’t be able to message them through the app unless they’re a WhatsApp user. In this case, you might need to ask them to install WhatsApp first.

3. Your WhatsApp Isn’t Synced with Your Contacts

Sometimes WhatsApp might not automatically sync with your phone’s contact list. Here’s how to resolve that:

Ensure that your phone’s permissions allow WhatsApp to access your contacts.
Refresh your WhatsApp contacts by tapping the Chats tab and the New Chat icon. From here, tap the menu button and select Refresh. This should update your contact list.

4. The Contact is Using an Inactive or Old Number

If the person recently changed their phone number or is using an old number, WhatsApp might not recognize the contact. Make sure that your number is up-to-date and that the person is using WhatsApp with the correct number.

5. WhatsApp Permissions Are Disabled

If WhatsApp doesn’t have permission to access your contacts, it won’t be able to detect new contacts in your phone. Make sure you’ve enabled the necessary permissions:

  1. On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and ensure “Contacts” is enabled.
  2. On iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy > Contacts and make sure WhatsApp has permission to access your contacts.

6. Outdated WhatsApp Version

Using an outdated version of WhatsApp might cause glitches, including issues with adding contacts. Check your app store for updates, and make sure you’re using the latest version of WhatsApp.

7. Software or System Issues

Sometimes, the issue could be with your phone itself. Restart your phone and try adding the contact again. If this doesn’t work, reinstall WhatsApp and back up your chats beforehand.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most issues and successfully add your contact to WhatsApp. If the problem persists, it might be worth contacting WhatsApp support for further assistance.

Conclusion

Adding someone on WhatsApp, whether they’re nearby or in another country, is a simple process that helps you stay connected across the globe. From using the right phone number format to ensuring the app is properly synced with your contacts, we’ve covered all the steps you need to add anyone on WhatsApp, whether you’re using an Android or iPhone. Remember, WhatsApp relies on phone numbers, so having the correct contact information is key. If you run into any issues, the troubleshooting tips provided should help resolve them quickly. If you want to connect with a larger number of people at once, check out our detailed guide on WhatsApp Broadcast and the WhatsApp Business API.

About Author

Raneya Selina

Raneya Selina

Content Marketing Strategist at Chatbot.team

Raneya is a skilled Content Writer with over two years of experience in customer experience. At Chatbot.team, she crafts insightful case studies and analyzes customer data to develop impactful strategies.

Know more about Raneya Selina

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