This wikiHow teaches you how to find WhatsApp users in smartphone contacts. To find a WhatsApp user, the user in question must already be saved in the device's contact list. You can't search for WhatsApp users who haven't been saved in the contact list.
Step
Method 1 of 2: On iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open WhatsApp
Tap the WhatsApp app icon which looks like a speech bubble and the white telephone receiver on a green background.
- If you haven't automatically logged into your account, follow the instructions that appear to register a phone number.
- You can't use WhatsApp to search for contacts whose numbers aren't already saved in your device's contact list.
Step 2. Touch Chats
It's a speech bubble icon at the bottom of the screen.
If WhatsApp immediately displays the chat, first tap the "Back" button in the upper-left corner of the screen
Step 3. Touch the "New Chat" button
It's a blue square button with a pencil in the upper-right corner of the screen. After that, the “Contacts” page will be displayed.
You can see every contact who uses WhatsApp on this page
Step 4. Find the desired contact
Browse the contact list on this page until you find the user you want to chat with.
- You can also type the contact's name in the search bar at the top of the screen.
- If the contact doesn't already use WhatsApp, you can invite them to use WhatsApp. Swipe to the bottom of the list and touch “ Invite Friends to WhatsApp ”, select the method of sending the invitation, touch the contact you want to invite, and touch the “ Done ” at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5. Select a contact
Touch the name of the contact you want to chat with, or make a voice or video call. A conversation window with the user in question will open so you can start a chat.
- You can't search for people who aren't saved in your device's contact list.
- You can add a contact if you know the cell phone number.
Method 2 of 2: On Android Device
Step 1. Open WhatsApp
Tap the WhatsApp app icon which looks like a speech bubble and the white telephone receiver on a green background.
- If you haven't automatically logged into your account, follow the instructions that appear to register a phone number.
- You can't use WhatsApp to search for contacts whose numbers aren't already saved in your device's contact list.
Step 2. Touch CHATS
It's at the top of the screen. After that, the “CHATS” page will open.
If WhatsApp immediately displays the chat, first tap the "Back" button in the upper-left corner of the screen
Step 3. Touch the “New Chat” button
It's a green circle with a speech bubble in the lower-right corner of the screen. After that, the list of contacts on the device will be displayed.
All contacts using WhatsApp will be displayed on this page
Step 4. Find the contact you want to call
Scroll through the contact list on the page until you find the user you want to chat with.
- You can also type a contact's name in the search field at the top of the screen.
- If the contact doesn't already use WhatsApp, you can invite them to use WhatsApp. Swipe to the bottom of the list and touch “ Invite Friends to WhatsApp ”, select the method of sending the invitation, touch the contact you want to invite, and touch the “ Done ” at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5. Select a contact
Touch the name of the contact you want to chat with, or make a voice or video call. A conversation window with the user in question will open so you can start a chat.
- You can't search for people who aren't saved in your device's contact list.
- You can add a contact if you know the cell phone number
