How To Add People On Whatsapp On Iphone

Friends looking at phones standing outside in city — Adding a new contact to WhatsApp can be done in a few seconds. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

You can add contacts to WhatsApp by manually entering them in Chats, or scanning the QR code from their WhatsApp profile.
You can also import contacts from your phone to WhatsApp.
When entering international contacts, don't forget to start their phone number with a plus sign and then add the international calling code for their country.
This story is a part of Insider's Guide to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is a surprisingly popular messaging app – many people choose to use it because it's cross-compatible with both iPhone and Android, and it works over WiFi, so you don't need to use your cellular plan.

Related Article Module: What is WhatsApp? A guide to navigating the free internet-based communication platformWant to add a new contact to your WhatsApp address book? You can do that easily in two different ways, depending on whether the other person is nearby. Here's what you need to know.

How to add a contact to WhatsApp

There are two ways to add a contact to WhatsApp – you can manually enter the contact's via the Chats tab, or if your new contact is physically nearby, you can simply scan their information via a QR code.

Via the Chats tab

1. Open the WhatsApp app and go to the Chats tab (it's at the bottom of the screen on iPhone and at the top on Android).

Screenshot of WhatsApp app with Chats tab highlighted — To add a new contact to WhatsApp, start by opening the Chats screen. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

2. On the Chats screen, tap the New Chat button – you'll find it at the top-right on iPhone and at the bottom-right on Android.

Screenshot of WhatsApp New Chat button — Tap the 'New Chat' button. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

3. Tap New Contact.

Screenshot of New Chat page in WhatsApp button — At the top of your contact list, you should see a New Contact link. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

4. Fill in the New Contact form – enter the name and phone number at a minimum, though you can also enter any additional details you like. You can also scan someone's QR code from this page if you wish.

5. When you're done, tap Save.

Via QR code

On the other person's phone:

1. Open the WhatsApp app.

2. Tap Settings.

3. At the top of the Settings page, tap the QR code symbol to the right of the person's name.

Screenshot of QR code option in WhatsApp Settings — Every user has a unique QR code on their profile page in Settings. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

On your phone:

1. Open the WhatsApp app and tap Settings.

2. At the top of the Settings page, tap the QR code symbol to the right of your name.

3. If you have an iPhone, tap Scan at the bottom of the screen. If you have an Android phone, tap Scan Code at the top of the screen.

Screenshot of QR scan code in WhatsApp — Tap 'Scan' to open the camera and scan someone else's code. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

4. Position your phone over the other phone so you can scan the QR code with the front-facing camera. Wait a moment until the phone vibrates – you've now scanned that person's contact information.

5. Tap Add to Contacts.

How to use WhatsApp on your iPhone to send private or group messages, make calls, and video chat internationally20 of the best WhatsApp tips and tricks for getting the most out of the popular messaging appHow to block and unblock someone on WhatsAppHow to make and receive WhatsApp video calls

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