WhatsApp is opening the door to cross‑app messaging in Europe. Meta announced it will soon roll out third‑party chat integration across the region, giving people the option to message users on other apps that choose to be interoperable. The move is part of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which requires major platforms to offer interoperability so users aren’t locked into a single service.
After months of small‑scale testing, WhatsApp will begin supporting direct chats with users on BirdyChat and Haiket for those who opt in. Meta calls this a major milestone in meeting DMA interoperability rules.
What you’ll be able to do at launch:
– Send and receive messages, images, voice notes, videos, and files with users on supported third‑party apps
– Create group chats with third‑party users later on, once partners enable group support
– Choose whether to keep third‑party messages in a dedicated folder or combine them with your main inbox, as previewed in September 2024
How it will roll out:
– Over the coming months, people in the European Region will see a notification in the Settings tab explaining how to opt in
– Third‑party chats will work on Android and iOS only for now, not on desktop, web, or tablets
– Participation is entirely optional, and you can turn the feature on or off at any time
Privacy and security:
– Third‑party messaging must use the same level of end‑to‑end encryption as WhatsApp
– Chats from third‑party services will be clearly labeled so you can distinguish them from regular WhatsApp conversations
Meta says its integrations with BirdyChat and Haiket are the result of a three‑year collaboration with European messaging services and the European Commission to design an interoperability framework that satisfies DMA requirements. The company also plans to notify users whenever a new third‑party app becomes available, expanding the cross‑app messaging options over time.
Why this matters:
– Users gain more control and flexibility, reducing the need to juggle multiple apps
– Messaging services that opt in can reach WhatsApp users securely without losing their own identity
– The change promotes competition and choice while preserving end‑to‑end encryption
If you’re in Europe, keep an eye on WhatsApp Settings for the opt‑in prompt. Once enabled, you can start chatting across supported apps and adjust your inbox preference to either separate third‑party conversations or keep everything together.
