- BirdyChat and Haiket are the first apps that interoperate with WhatsApp in Europe, with E2EE encrypted individual chats.
- The feature is optional, it is activated in Settings > Account > Third-party chats and allows for a combined or separate inbox.
- Only for iOS y Android with numbers registered in the EU/EEA; not available on Web, desktop or tablets.
- Text, photos, videos, voice notes, and documents can be shared; groups and other features will come later.
WhatsApp is beginning to open its doors to third-party messaging apps, and in this first step, the names being introduced are BirdyChat and Haiket. This development isn't arbitrary: it responds to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which requires major services to make it easier for users to message each other without having to use the same app. The change, which will be rolled out gradually and only in Europe, will allow users to send messages, images, audio, videos, and files to users of these platforms directly from the WhatsApp interface. All of this will be optional and, as Meta emphasizes, security will be paramount thanks to end-to-end encryption, although there are nuances and limitations worth noting. In this context, BirdyChat and Haiket become the first partners with official integration.
The company explains that this interoperability will debut with individual chats and will expand to more features with There...like group chats when the partner apps are technically ready. European users will see a notification in Settings to activate so-called "third-party chats" and will be able to decide whether they want to mix them with their regular inbox or keep them separate. It's not all good news, though: the option only works on iOS and Android phones with numbers registered in the EU/EEA, excludes WhatsApp Web and desktop, and has some privacy features. For example, when chatting with someone in an external app, Your phone number is shared, but not your name or photo.Furthermore, the WhatsApp block does not automatically extend to those external chats.
What is WhatsApp interoperability and why is it coming now?
Interoperability is simply allowing two or more services to "understand" each other, so that someone using one app can communicate with someone using a different one. In the case of WhatsApp, the EU has given the final push with the DMA, a regulation that labels WhatsApp a "gatekeeper" and requires these dominant platforms to open up their gated gardens. Meta confirms that it has been working for over three years with European regulators and developers to design a solution that complies with the law while also protecting privacy. Therefore, External apps that want to connect must implement encryption equivalent to that of WhatsApp. and go through a technical validation process.
In this scenario, BirdyChat and Haiket were the first to raise their hands. What's interesting, beyond the names, is the precedent: any developer who meets the requirements can request the connection. However, no one is forced to join: if Telegram, Signal, or other major players decide not to integrate, nothing will happen in the short term. Meta, for its part, insists that it will not be able to read the content of conversations with third parties, which will be encrypted, although it warns that Each app has its own data policies and may treat data differently..
Technically, WhatsApp is opening its client/server architecture so that third-party clients can connect to its servers using its proprietary protocol, based on XMPP (the well-known Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol). This means that the external app acts as a "client" that communicates with WhatsApp under a common set of rules. The result: from BirdyChat or Haiket, you can send a message to a WhatsApp number, and vice versa, you can reply from WhatsApp to someone who only uses one of those apps, maintaining interoperability focused on one-to-one chats in this first phase.
This move also comes amid a series of major overhauls within WhatsApp. The platform is undergoing one of its biggest redesigns, with tests and changes ranging from new ways to identify yourself with usernames to discussions about monetization and advertising in specific areas. Within this package of changes, interoperability is the most significant shift because it challenges the traditional closed messaging model. For the first time, WhatsApp doesn't require everyone to be online to talk to each other..
How to activate third-party chats and what features are available
Activation will be very simple and will appear when the feature arrives in your account. Meta will send a notification in the Settings tab with a guided process to activate "third-party chats." The path to follow is Settings > Account > Third-Party Chats, where you can turn the integration on or off whenever you want. Additionally, the system allows you to choose how you want to see these messages: combined inbox (mixed with your regular chats) or separate tray (in a specific section). This last option offers practical isolation for those who prefer to keep incoming threads organized. In any case, The function is optional and reversible..
There are important requirements and restrictions. To begin with, the rollout is limited to Europe and, in fact, requires phone numbers registered in countries within the European Economic Area. WhatsApp Web and its desktop or tablet versions are also not supported, so compatibility is limited to iOS and Android mobile devices. The rollout will be gradual: some countries may see it before others, and, as Meta warns, the timeline is measured in weeks or months. Finally, if you change your number to a region not covered by the DMA, You will lose access to third-party chats (although previous threads will remain in the list in read-only mode).
As for what you can do, the initial menu is solid for basic use: text messages, photos, videos, voice notes, and documents. The focus is on individual conversations, and cross-platform groups will be added later when the partner apps are technically ready. There won't be calls at first, and some WhatsApp-specific features, such as stickers, statuses, and disappearing messages, won't be available in these external conversations. At this stage, the idea is to prioritize compatibility and security before replicating the entire ecosystem. Therefore, You'll see a "third-party chats" label that distinguishes these threads. of your standard chats.
There's an important detail about identity: when you start a chat with someone using a third-party app, you share your phone number with that person. Your name and profile picture aren't shared, and depending on the third-party app, you might need to know the contact's identifier on that platform (for example, email address, phone number, or username) to start the conversation. This adds a layer of control for the user, which, while it might seem like an extra step, helps prevent just anyone from finding you. A balance is sought between openness and the minimum necessary identification..
Another delicate point concerns blocking. If you've blocked someone on WhatsApp, that person could still try to message you from an external app if they have your number. WhatsApp blocking isn't automatically applied to third-party chats, so you'll need to block that sender from the other app as well, or from the "third-party chats" interface itself. It's not ideal, but Meta already warns about this in its documentation so no one is caught off guard. For any unwanted messages, You can always block and report from the external thread itself..
- Initial functionsMessages, photos, videos, voice notes, and documents in individual chats. Free up memory in WhatsApp.
- CompatibilityiOS and Android mobiles with a number registered in the EU/EEA; no support for Web, desktop or tablets.
- Privacy : number is shared; name and photo are not shared; end-to-end encryption required of third parties.
- Managerial Accounting: combined or separate tray; optional activation and can be deactivated whenever you want.
First partners: BirdyChat and Haiket, and the impact on the ecosystem
The first two services to announce their compatibility are BirdyChat and Haiket. BirdyChat is a Latvian app geared towards work communications that, for now, has only a few hundred users. downloads en Google Play. Even so, it already boasts that "very soon" you'll be able to chat with WhatsApp numbers from its platform. Its developers assure users that they maintain end-to-end encryption and have a contact identification and discovery system aligned with European interoperability standards. For professionals already using BirdyChat, without changing tools It can be a convenient bonus.
Haiket, for its part, is a voice-centric platform still in the testing phase. Its approach prioritizes audio clips and a simple interface for spoken conversations. It has also been added to the list of initial integrations, although actual availability depends on the progress of the rollout in Europe and its own technical maturity. If everything progresses as Meta promises, you will soon see the option in Haiket to start threads with WhatsApp numbers and reply without leaving the app, always under the conditions and limitations described above. In that day-to-day experience, Interoperability will be noticeable as a more connected inbox.
The fact that the first names are relatively unknown is no coincidence: the DMA isn't designed to force major rivals to integrate immediately, but rather to "open the door" to anyone who wants to and meets the requirements. For smaller companies, this window is an opportunity to grow and gain traction. For the giants, the decision is strategic. Telegram or Signal might weigh up what they stand to gain and what they risk by joining the WhatsApp channel, and it's unclear whether they'll do so anytime soon. Meanwhile, the important thing is that this precedent changes the landscape. WhatsApp is no longer a completely closed garden And the idea of "write to me from your favorite app" stops sounding like science fiction.
Under the hood, external clients connect to WhatsApp's servers using the Meta protocol, an adaptation of XMPP designed to maintain presence, messaging, and encryption without compromising system security. Meta emphasizes that messages are end-to-end protected and cannot be read, but also acknowledges a delicate balance between opening up the platform and maintaining its security architecture. In fact, company engineers have explained that the solution aims to avoid sacrificing guarantees. If a third party wants to interoperate, it must match the encryption level.And WhatsApp will review that implementation.
The other side of the coin is privacy and how third parties handle data. Even though the content is encrypted, each service has its own policy and may process your metadata differently (for example, when you connect or who you message). For this reason, before activating interoperability, it's advisable to review the terms and conditions of the apps you plan to connect with. Meta promises to notify you when a new application connects to the system and will guide you through a short onboarding process so you understand the differences between a standard WhatsApp chat and one using external services. With that in mind, You control which apps connect and for how long.
Overall, WhatsApp's move towards interoperability opens up a more diverse landscape for messaging in Europe, though not without its drawbacks. Some will miss classic features (like stickers or statuses) in these external threads, while others will prefer to wait for the integration of cross-platform groups and calls. Nevertheless, the rollout will have an impact even if it progresses slowly: individuals and businesses will be able to better choose their tools and still continue communicating with those they're still on WhatsApp. In practical terms, This reduces friction and can boost competition in the industry.
Those who are comfortable with their usual WhatsApp will continue using it; those who live on BirdyChat or want to try Haiket will be able to chat with WhatsApp numbers without switching apps. Whether this opening remains just enough to comply with the law or becomes a profound change will depend on how many developers jump on board and how the shared features evolve. For now, the tangible results are the following: interoperability that can be enabled from Settings, mobile support, end-to-end encryption, initial integrations with BirdyChat and Haiket, and a roadmap that points to groups in the future. It's a big first step that brings messaging closer to a more open environment. without completely sacrificing the security and experience that has made WhatsApp popular.
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