How-to: Open a web browser (on your phone or computer) and type followed directly by the full international phone number
Result: If the number has a WhatsApp account, it will prompt you to open a chat. If not, it will indicate that the number is not on WhatsApp.
News Context: (around 2020-2021) about wa links being indexed by Google, potentially exposing numbers, WhatsApp has implemented measures to prevent widespread public indexing of these links, reaffirming its commitment to user privacy.
Direct Search in WhatsApp (Primarily Android): On Android devices, you can often go to the "New Chat" screen and directly type a phone number into the search bar. If it's a WhatsApp number, you can start a chat. On iOS, you generally need to save the contact to your device's address book first.
Key News and Developments Impacting How You Find Users:
Usernames are Coming (Major Privacy finland whatsapp number data Enhancement!): This is the most significant upcoming change for WhatsApp. The platform is actively developing and rolling out a feature that will allow users to create unique usernames.
Why it matters: This will enable users to connect with others without having to share their phone number, offering a significant privacy boost. You'll be able to search for people by their chosen username (e.g., yourusername) directly within the app.
Status: This feature has been widely reported in beta versions for both Android and iOS and is expected to be rolled out more broadly. It will be optional, so phone numbers will still work for existing contacts.
Impact on "Find by Number": While you can still find by number, this introduces an alternative for future connections, especially with new or less familiar contacts, where you might only have their username.
"Phone Number Privacy" in Communities: WhatsApp has introduced and is rolling out a "Phone Number Privacy" feature specifically for Communities.