This wikiHow teaches you how to add WhatsApp contacts. While you can't contact contacts who don't use WhatsApp, you can invite them to install WhatsApp.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Adding Contacts on iPhone
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 1 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 1](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-1-j.webp)
Step 1. Open WhatsApp by tapping on the white phone icon in the green speech bubble
If it's your first time opening WhatsApp, you'll need to set it up first
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 2 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 2](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-2-j.webp)
Step 2. Tap the Chats tab at the bottom of the screen
If WhatsApp displays a specific conversation, tap the Back button in the top-left corner of the screen
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 3 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 3](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-3-j.webp)
Step 3. Tap the square icon with the pencil on the top right corner of the screen
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 4 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 4](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-4-j.webp)
Step 4. Tap the New Contact option at the top of the screen, below the search bar
A page for entering a new contact will appear.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 5 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 5](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-5-j.webp)
Step 5. Enter the contact's first name in the First field at the top of the screen
You can also add a contact's last name by filling in the fields below it
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 6 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 6](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-6-j.webp)
Step 6. Tap add phone under the Company column
The Phone text box will appear.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 7 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 7](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-7-j.webp)
Step 7. Enter the contact's phone number
You may need to add an area code to the contact number.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 8 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 8](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-8-j.webp)
Step 8. Tap the Done button at the top right corner of the screen to save the contact number to the Contacts app on iPhone
If the contact's phone number is registered on WhatsApp, you will find the name of the contact you just added in the WhatsApp contact list.
Method 2 of 4: Adding Contacts on Android
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 9 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 9](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-9-j.webp)
Step 1. Open WhatsApp by tapping on the white phone icon in the green speech bubble
If it's your first time opening WhatsApp, you'll need to set it up first
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 10 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 10](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-10-j.webp)
Step 2. Tap the chat icon in the top right corner of the screen, next to the button
If WhatsApp displays a specific conversation, tap the Back button in the top-left corner of the screen
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 11 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 11](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-11-j.webp)
Step 3. Tap the person icon with the plus symbol in the top right corner of the screen
A page for entering a new contact will appear.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 12 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 12](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-12-j.webp)
Step 4. Enter the contact name in the Name field
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 13 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 13](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-13-j.webp)
Step 5. Tap the Phone column under the Organization column
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 14 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 14](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-14-j.webp)
Step 6. Enter the contact's phone number
You may need to add an area code to the contact number.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 15 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 15](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-15-j.webp)
Step 7. Tap the Done button at the top left corner of the screen to save the contact number to the Contacts app on the Android phone
If the contact's phone number is registered on WhatsApp, you will find the name of the contact you just added in the WhatsApp contact list.
Method 3 of 4: Inviting Contacts to WhatsApp via iPhone
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 16 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 16](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-16-j.webp)
Step 1. Open WhatsApp by tapping on the white phone icon in the green speech bubble
If it's your first time opening WhatsApp, you'll need to set it up first
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 17 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 17](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-17-j.webp)
Step 2. Tap the Settings button at the bottom right corner of the screen
If WhatsApp displays a specific conversation, tap the Back button in the top-left corner of the screen
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 18 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 18](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-18-j.webp)
Step 3. Swipe down the page, then tap on the Tell a Friend button at the bottom of the screen
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 19 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 19](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-19-j.webp)
Step 4. Tap Message in the middle of the window
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 20 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 20](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-20-j.webp)
Step 5. Tap on your friend's name
Swipe to find the name of the friend you want to invite.
- On this screen, you will see a list of contacts who are not using WhatsApp yet.
- You can also use the search bar at the top of the screen to find a specific contact.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 21 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 21](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-21-j.webp)
Step 6. Tap Send 1 Invite at the bottom right corner of the screen
A new window with a link to download WhatsApp will appear.
If you tap more than 1 name, the button will change to Send (x) Invites
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 22 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 22](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-22-j.webp)
Step 7. Tap the green or blue Send button on the right side of the messaging window
This button is located at the bottom of the screen. After tapping the button, an invitation will be sent to the contact you selected. If your contact accepts the invitation, you will be able to contact them via WhatsApp.
Method 4 of 4: Inviting Contacts to WhatsApp via Android
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 23 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 23](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-23-j.webp)
Step 1. Open WhatsApp by tapping on the white phone icon in the green speech bubble
If it's your first time opening WhatsApp, you'll need to set it up first
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 24 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 24](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-24-j.webp)
Step 2. Tap the button at the top right corner of the screen
If WhatsApp displays a specific conversation, tap the Back button in the top-left corner of the screen
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 25 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 25](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-25-j.webp)
Step 3. Tap Settings at the bottom of the menu
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 26 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 26](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-26-j.webp)
Step 4. Tap Contacts at the bottom of the page
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 27 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 27](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-27-j.webp)
Step 5. Tap Invite a Friend at the top of the page,
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 28 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 28](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-28-j.webp)
Step 6. Tap Messages in the middle of the menu
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 29 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 29](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-29-j.webp)
Step 7. Tap on your friend's name
Swipe to find the name of the friend you want to invite.
- On this screen, you will see a list of contacts who are not using WhatsApp yet.
- You can also use the search bar at the top of the screen to find a specific contact.
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 30 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 30](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-30-j.webp)
Step 8. Tap Send 1 Invite at the bottom right corner of the screen
A new window with a link to download WhatsApp will appear.
If you tap more than 1 name, the button will change to Send (x) Invites
![Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 31 Add a Contact on WhatsApp Step 31](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/001/image-2829-31-j.webp)
Step 9. Tap the green or blue Send button on the right side of the messaging window
This button is located at the bottom of the screen. After tapping the button, an invitation will be sent to the contact you selected. If your contact accepts the invitation, you will be able to contact them via WhatsApp.