The news had been brewing for some time and, finally, it has materialized in Europe: WhatsApp is now opening the door to communication with other apps without leaving their own interface. The first to launch it will be BirdyChat and Haiket, placing Meta's platform at the center of the interoperability map required by the Digital Markets Act.
In practice, this means that users will be able to Read and send messages to people using BirdyChat or Haiket directly from WhatsAppWithout duplicate accounts or extra installations. The rollout will be gradual, activation optional, and with clear limits in this first phase: one-to-one conversations, robust encryption, and exclusive availability for numbers registered in the European Economic Area.
What has changed and why now?
The final push comes from the DMA, a European regulation that obliges so-called “gatekeepers” to ensure interoperability with third-party servicesMeta, considered the guardian of a key digital market due to the weight of WhatsApp, has had to open its walled garden so that other apps can connect, always under very strict technical and security conditions.
The company explains that it has been working with the European ecosystem and the Commission for more than three years on a legally compliant "third-party chat" solution. The result is a system designed to be user-friendly and data-secure., with end-to-end encryption as a requirement and with an onboarding process to understand the differences compared to native chats.
What can you do right now with “third-party chats”?
The first version of this interoperability focuses on the essentials. You will be able to send and receive individual messages with BirdyChat and Haiket contacts. directly from WhatsApp and share everyday content without much drama.
- 1:1 cross-platform communication with text, photos, youtubevoice notes and files.
- It works on iOS and Android mobile devices; The option appears in Settings when it is available.
- Integration is optional, with switch to turn on or off at any time.
- Option to view messages in a combined inbox or in a separate section for third-party chats.
What is not yet available
As an initial release, there are some notable absences that will arrive later. Group discussions between platforms are pending until partner apps can implement them without compromising the experience or security.
- There are no groups or cross-platform calls at the moment; Meta expects to enable them when the partners are ready..
- No support for WhatsApp Web, desktop or tablets; For now, it's limited to mobile..
- Native features such as stickers, statuses, or disappearing messages They do not apply to third-party chats at this stage.
How do I activate it: where is the option and what will you see?
Interoperability is not enabled by default. When it arrives in your account, You will see a notification in Settings with the steps to enable it. The process, once available, is straightforward and simple.
- Go to Settings > Account > Third-party chats and flip the switch.
- Choose if you prefer a combined or separate tray for external messages.
- Follow the brief onboarding process that explains the differences and safety warnings.
When you activate the feature, you'll be able to connect with people who use BirdyChat or Haiket. WhatsApp will notify you when new apps are added. to the system, so that you always know which services you can interact with without leaving the platform.
Who are BirdyChat and Haiket and why do they matter?
The first two partners may not sound familiar, but that's part of the value of the change. BirdyChat is a Latvian app focused on work communicationIt has a professional profile and, for now, modest download numbers on Android (around a few hundred). It also allows you to register with an email address, which is useful for work environments where a personal phone number isn't used.
By your side, Haiket presents itself as an app focused on the voice and is currently in the testing phase. Both platforms already display on their websites the imminent compatibility with WhatsApp numbers, paving the way to be pioneers in this interoperability.
Regardless of whether they are more or less well-known, the key is the precedent: any developer who meets the technical and security requirements It can connect, which opens a channel for smaller tools to compete on equal terms and offer their users a direct bridge to WhatsApp.
Privacy and security: encryption, data sharing, and warnings
The solution was born with a clear focus on security. Meta emphasizes that the system has been designed to maintain end-to-end encryption (E2EE) when you communicate with users of third-party apps. It also specifies that messages sent to these platforms are encrypted in transit and that the apps must implement a level of protection equivalent to that of WhatsApp.
Even so, there are important nuances that should not be overlooked: Third-party applications have their own privacy policies And they may manage your data differently than WhatsApp. It's advisable to review their terms and conditions before connecting, especially in professional or sensitive contexts.
Another practical point: when starting a chat with someone from an external app, Your phone number is shared with that contact. Your name and profile picture, however, are not transmitted to the other platform. To start the conversation, you'll need that person's identification on their service (it could be email, username, or phone number, depending on the app), which adds a layer of control.
There's also a catch with blocking. If you've blocked someone on WhatsApp, That person could write to you from a third-party app using your number. If that happens, you can block them from the external chat, but the WhatsApp block doesn't automatically transfer to other platforms.
Geographic scope, compatible devices, and deployment pace
For now, WhatsApp interoperability is offered in a Exclusive to EuropeAccounts registered with telephone numbers from the European Economic Area. The rollout will be phased in, so it won't appear in all countries at the same time; in some it may take weeks, in others months.
Regarding devices, It is only available on iPhone and Android. For now. WhatsApp Web, the desktop app, and tablets are excluded. It will be expanded over time, but the initial focus is on mobile, where daily usage is concentrated.
If you change your number to one from an uncovered region, You will lose access to “third-party chats”In that case, previous conversations will remain visible, but in read-only mode, without the possibility of continuing the exchange from WhatsApp.
How does it work internally: protocol and architecture?
The technical solution is based on the Meta client/server architectureThird-party clients connecting to WhatsApp servers must use the company's protocol, which is based on XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol), well-known in the messaging field.
To enter the ecosystem, External apps must request interoperability and work to integrate it securely. Meta oversees compliance with security requirements, including E2EE, and ensures that the exchange of messages, images, audio, or files maintains the robustness required by the DMA.
In addition, WhatsApp introduces a user onboarding process that explains the differences between these third-party chats and native chats. The goal is for you to understand what changes and what stays the same.without sacrificing the ease of use that defines the platform.
Practical limitations and minor frictions you should be aware of
Like any major innovation, this interoperability comes with certain compromises. First, cross-communication. It was created solely for individual conversations., with the promise to expand to groups when BirdyChat and Haiket are technically ready for it.
Not all of WhatsApp's "star" features will have direct translation to external chats for now. Stickers, statuses, or temporary messages They are left out in this phase, and we will have to wait for future iterations to see what is incorporated and how.
It's also important to be aware that different apps may handle information differently. Even if message transmission is protected and E2EE is required, Each service dictates its own data policyIn corporate settings, it's prudent to consult IT or carefully review the terms of use.
And Telegram, Signal, iMessage or RCS?
The opening does not force major rivals to connect automatically. It is up to each platform to decide whether to integrate interoperability. And therefore, whether to implement the required protocol and encryption level. In the short term, we may first see smaller or specialized players make the leap.
For the user, the appeal of being able to chat with Telegram or Signal contacts from WhatsApp is obvious. The question is whether these services are interested. whether to join an ecosystem controlled by Meta, or if they prefer to maintain their independence and their own privacy and features proposal.
In any case, the precedent has been set: WhatsApp is no longer a completely closed environmentIf the list of partners grows, the value for the user and for the sector will increase, shaping a more interoperable and competitive messaging market.
What do users gain and what do developers gain?
For users, the immediate advantage is obvious: Fewer apps, less friction, and greater reach without leaving WhatsApp. For specific cases—talking to someone who only uses BirdyChat or contacting a team that prefers Haiket—the obligation to register on another app just for a conversation is over.
For smaller developers, interoperability can be a stepping stone. They can attract users by offering a direct connection to WhatsApp and create bots on WhatsAppprovided they meet the technical requirements. This fosters competition, encourages innovation, and puts pressure on platforms to improve their offerings.
Fine details worth remembering
There are several points that help to avoid confusion. The feature is called “third-party chats” in WhatsAppIt will appear gradually in Settings and you can activate or deactivate it whenever you want.
The deployment is regional, not global, and requires that the users involved are in the EEA during this initial stage. Additionally, notifications will alert you when new apps connect, which is a good sign of ecosystem growth.
And, although encryption is a sine qua non condition, Third-party policies rule outside of WhatsAppTherefore, it is advisable to evaluate, especially in professional environments, the suitability of each integration before using it with critical information.
WhatsApp's interoperability is off to a good start: optional, safe and with sensible limits To ensure a seamless experience, BirdyChat and Haiket are ushering in a new era where WhatsApp is no longer a completely closed ecosystem, opening the door to more partners. Between regulatory requirements and technical ambition, what's emerging is a more connected ecosystem, practical for everyday use, and with room for competition to flourish if the big players also decide to join in. Share this information so more users will know about this new app integration in WhatsApp.