2 Quick Ways to Find Someone on WhatsApp

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Easily people in your contacts list so you can start a conversation on WhatsApp

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: November 6, 2023 Fact Checked

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• Using Android
|
• Using iPhone or iPad
|
• Q&A

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Are you trying to find someone on WhatsApp? If you're using an Android device, you can search for phone numbers directly in WhatsApp. However, if you're using an iPhone, you must add the phone number to your device's contact list first; you won't be able to search for new contacts directly. This wikiHow will show you how to find WhatsApp users using your Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

• To find someone on WhatsApp using Android, tap the "Chats" tab. Tap "New Chat" and then "New contact." Tap the Search icon to enter a phone number.
• If the phone number isn't registered with WhatsApp, you'll see "Share invite link." Otherwise, add the contact.
• On iOS devices, you must have the contact added to find them on WhatsApp.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Android

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1. 1
   Open the WhatsApp app. This looks like a white speech bubble and phone receiver on a green background.

   • If you're not automatically logged in, follow the instructions to register your phone number.
2. 2
   Tap Chats. It's near the top of the screen. This will open the Chats page.

   • If WhatsApp opens to a conversation, first tap the "Back" button in the top-left corner of the screen.
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3. 3
   Tap the "New Chat" icon. It's the round, green, speech bubble-shaped icon in the lower-right corner of the screen. This will bring up a list of contacts.

   • All of your contacts who are on WhatsApp will be listed on the contacts page.
4. 4
   Tap New contact. It's at the top of your Contacts menu next to an icon that resembles a person. Doing so will take you to the new contact creation page.
5. 5
   Tap the Search icon. This is the magnifying glass icon.
6. 6
   Enter a phone number in the field. If the phone number is registered with WhatsApp, you can tap Chat to begin chatting.

   • If the phone number is not registered with WhatsApp, you can tap Share invite link to invite the phone number's owner to chat on WhatsApp.
7. 7
   Add the contact. Tap New Contact, and then fill in their details. When you're finished, tap Save.

   • You can now chat, make a voice call, or make a video call with the new contact.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using iPhone or iPad

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1. 1
   Open the WhatsApp app. This looks like a white speech bubble and phone receiver on a green background.

   • If you're not automatically logged in, follow the instructions to register your phone number.
   • On iOS devices, you cannot use WhatsApp to search for a contact whose phone number is not already in your contacts. Be sure to add new contacts to your device before using WhatsApp.
2. 2
   Tap Chats. It's the speech bubble-shaped icon at the bottom of the screen.

   • If WhatsApp opens to a conversation, first tap the "Back" button in the top-left corner of the screen.
3. 3
   Tap the "New Chat" button. It's the square, blue icon with a pencil in it in the upper-right corner of the screen. This will open the Contacts page.

   • You'll see every contact who uses WhatsApp listed on this page.
4. 4
   Search for a contact. Scroll down the list of people on this page until you find the contact.

   • You can also type a contact's name in the search field at the top of the screen.
   • If a contact is not on WhatsApp, you can invite them to use WhatsApp.
     • Scroll to the bottom of the list and tap Invite Friends to WhatsApp
     • Select how you'd like to send the invitation.
     • Tap the contacts you'd like to invite.
     • Tap Done at the bottom of the screen.
5. 5
   Select a contact. This will open a chat with them, allowing you to initiate a conversation.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Can I find someone on WhatsApp if I don't know their phone number?

  

  Community Answer

  Unfortunately, you can't. WhatsApp uses the phone number, not any other service.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 28 Helpful 65
• Question

  Can I search for someone on Whatsapp without their number?

  

  Community Answer

  No, you need to have a phone number to find that person on WhatsApp.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 30 Helpful 74
• Question

  How can I see someone's name on WhatsApp while the name is not on the contact list?

  

  Community Answer

  If the name is not in your contacts, then the name will be available to be searched on WhatsApp because he/she added his/her name when he/she signed up.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 48 Helpful 92

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