Meta prepares WhatsApp for cross platform messaging

Meta is preparing to roll out third-party chat integration in WhatsApp across Europe, according to TechCrunch. The company is introducing the feature to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which obliges major messaging platforms to let European users communicate with people on other services that choose to become interoperable. TechCrunch reports that, after several months of small-scale testing, WhatsApp users in

WhatsApp moves toward interoperability under the EU Digital Markets Act

Europe will soon be able to exchange messages with people on BirdyChat and Haiket directly inside WhatsApp via a new third-party chats option. TechCrunch

As described by TechCrunch, users who opt in will be able to send and receive text messages, images, voice notes, videos and files through these connected apps, with group chats to follow later once WhatsApp’s partners are technically ready.

The integration will initially be limited to Android and iOS, with no support for desktop, web or tablet clients. Over the coming months, people in the European Region will see a notification in the Settings section of WhatsApp explaining how to activate the feature, and they will be able to turn third-party chats on or off at any time.TechCrunch.

Third party messaging services like BirdyChat and Haiket soon connect directly through WhatsApp

TechCrunch notes that Meta’s partnerships with BirdyChat and Haiket are the result of roughly three years of work with European messaging providers and the European Commission on a DMA-compliant interoperability model. A key requirement is that third-party services must match WhatsApp’s level of end-to-end encryption, and Meta says it has designed the experience so that users clearly understand the distinction between regular WhatsApp conversations and third-party chats.

Meta reveals how the new third party chat experience will appear inside WhatsApp

Back in 2024, the company already previewed that people will be able to keep messages from external apps in a dedicated folder or mix them into their main inbox, and WhatsApp plans to notify users each time a new third-party service becomes available.