Cross-messaging between WhatsApp and Telegram: what's changing and how it will work

The idea of ​​being able to write to someone on Telegram from WhatsApp (and vice versa) had been on users' minds for years, but until now it was more of a wish than a reality. European regulations have tightened the screws on the tech giants. And with that, the spark of interoperability between messaging platforms has been ignited.

In this new scenario, WhatsApp is already making moves: in test versions, a section has appeared for receiving messages from other applications. The feature is not yet generally available And, although the technical framework is progressing, key pieces are missing: to this day there is no confirmation that Telegram, Signal or even Google Messages have joined this system.

What does it really mean to send cross-messages between WhatsApp and Telegram?

When we talk about crossed messages, we are referring to something very specific: that two people can converse regardless of which app each one usesThat is, writing from WhatsApp and having the other person receive it in Telegram, or having a Signal contact message you and you read it within WhatsApp, all without installing anything additional or leaving your usual application.

The technical term behind it is “interoperability”. Europe, with its Digital Markets Act (DMA), is forcing so-called gatekeepers to open up To prevent practices that harm competition and users. In messaging, this translates to allowing third parties to connect and send basic messages while maintaining security.

In the case of WhatsApp, this doesn't mean that its way of working changes completely, but rather that it incorporates a well-monitored gateway through which Other platforms will be able to deliver text messages, voice notes, videos, and filesFirst, between two users; later, opening to groups and calls is planned according to the European roadmap.

The key is that this opening does not "break" the encryption or the philosophy of the app. The technical challenge is significant.We need to speak the same language across different systems without lowering our guard on privacy, integrity, and security.

What's available right now: betas, compatibility, and limitations

The stable version of WhatsApp does not yet include this feature, but a specific section for managing these external messages has been seen in beta versions. That space is known as "Third-Party Chats" and it appears separate from your usual conversations so there is no confusion or unwanted mixing.

What is the situation today? Although technologically the bridge is beginning to be rebuilt, There are no confirmed applications that take advantage of that accessWe're not just talking about Telegram: neither Signal nor Google Messages are listed as integrated into this experience at the time of writing this guide, so don't expect to find contacts from outside writing to you on WhatsApp just yet.

It is worth highlighting another important point: when you enable interoperability (when it arrives on your mobile), WhatsApp will warn that third-party services may use different encryption methods.This does not mean "no protection," but it does mean that if another app uses its own mechanisms, the guarantee and security scheme will not be identical to those of WhatsApp.

Furthermore, opening an external channel also opens a potential window for spam. WhatsApp itself warns of the risk of abuse by third-party messaging servicesThis is why the messages will be hosted in a separate container and, above all, why the function will be optional.

How it will be activated on WhatsApp: the role of "Third-Party Chats"

The activation, as seen in tests, will be quite straightforward: You can enable receiving or sending messages from external apps with a switch. in the settings area. By doing so, your conversations from sources other than WhatsApp will be grouped into a visible and distinct section at the top of your inbox.

That extra "drawer" helps to separate flows and maintain control. If you don't enable interoperability, no one will be able to message you from Telegram or any other platform.It is an express consent (opt-in) mechanism that, in addition to giving you control, seeks to reduce the reach of spam and scams.

The BootIt is expected that the support will cover the basics between two users: text, voice notes, video, and filesGroups and calls could follow if the experience remains stable, safe and useful, in line with the deadlines set by the European regulator.

Another piece of the puzzle is the technical and operational agreements between companies. For Telegram, Signal, or others to connect, specific implementations and coordination will be necessary.It's logical that it won't happen overnight, especially since these platforms compete with each other and their priorities don't always coincide.

Privacy and security: the balance that WhatsApp is striving for

WhatsApp's engineering team has explained that their objective is clear: allow message exchange while respecting end-to-end encryptionThe challenge lies in providing a simple path for third-party integration without lowering the bar for privacy, security, and integrity that the app sets for itself.

Therefore, in addition to the famous opt-in, information received from outside is isolated in a separate section. That isolation is not just “order”; it is a layer of operational protection. which makes it easy to detect abuse, report senders and, if you wish, immediately disable the feature without affecting your normal chats.

It will also be necessary to consider that each external service may have its own encryption and metadata policy. WhatsApp wants to avoid being the weak link and, at the same time, not become an impregnable fortress. that prevents others from integrating. This tug-of-war explains why the implementation has been in the works for so long.

Within that roadmap, individual messaging will be the first stop. The move to groups and calls will come later. and will be conditional upon compliance with European standards and demonstrating that the experience does not degrade safety or service quality.

DMA: the law that drives interoperability

All of this does not arise by magic or solely through the will of companies. The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) identifies several technology companies as gatekeepers. and requires them to open up key components of their services to avoid unfair conditions and promote competition.

Among those access gatekeepers are Meta (owner of WhatsApp), Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, and Microsoft. The focus in messaging falls especially on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger Because of their enormous user base, they are the ones who must guarantee interoperability for third parties.

The regulator has set deadlines and phases, although with adjustments to the schedule. The expectation is that interoperability will become more established in the short and medium term.with phased and monitored progress. In case of non-compliance, the penalties contemplated are significant: from substantial fines to structural remedies.

Also relevant is the context of other European measures that have affected parallel sectors, such as the opening of iOS to third-party stores and applications. The core idea is to limit excessive closure practices and encourage real alternatives. without compromising user safety.

Dates, releases, and what we know so far

For now, there is no definitive date for the general rollout of cross-messaging on WhatsApp. The clues in beta versions pointed to movements during 2024And the company itself has been sharing that it will provide more details and enable the feature in phases, once it is ready at a technical and legal level.

This does not prevent some users with trial versions from seeing menus or notices related to interoperability. Until there is an official announcement, behavior may change. and the tests may vary from country to country or from device to device.

It also remains to be seen whether the feature will be available on WhatsApp Business from the start. Doing so would have a significant impact on customer service and business reach.This would allow receiving inquiries from other channels without leaving the company environment.

In any case, availability will depend on both WhatsApp and the other platforms. If Telegram, Signal, Viber, or others don't connect your systemsInteroperability will be left in an empty lane waiting for traffic.

App compatibility: who should be open and who can add

The DMA primarily compels the designated giants, and in messaging the immediate focus is on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Other applications are not forced in the same wayHowever, they can benefit from interoperability by opening their doors and being able to reach WhatsApp users without them having to install anything additional.

This opens up some interesting scenarios from a competitive standpoint: is Telegram, which prides itself on its independence, interested in connecting with its most widespread rival? Strategically there are doubts, but also advantages: greater reach and less friction when talking to contacts who live on WhatsApp.

The decisions will not only be political; they will also be technical. To ensure a smooth and secure experience, formats, encryption, and abuse controls will need to be aligned.Any mismatch can result in messages not arriving, files failing to connect, or constant security alerts.

For now, what is tangible is that There is no official list of already compatible apps.Names like Google, Telegram, Viber, and Signal are mentioned on the radar, but without any firm confirmations or firm dates.

Risks and controls: spam, scams, and separate inboxes

Opening the door to messages from outside brings an immediate concern: spam. WhatsApp assumes the risk and takes measures: explicit consent, separate tray, controls to block and report and, if necessary, the possibility of shutting down interoperability at a stroke.

The other major issue is privacy. If a third-party service does not replicate the same level of encryption or metadataThe user needs to be aware of this and be able to decide whether or not to participate in the exchange. The in-app notification is therefore a fundamental part of the experience.

There will also be performance issues. What will the latency be like? Will there be a noticeable delay in cross-platform message delivery? There is no conclusive data at this time.And until it is enabled on a large scale, it will be difficult to draw solid conclusions.

In any case, the design of a separate tray serves a dual purpose: organization and containmentIt organizes to avoid mixing everything up and contains to limit any malicious behavior coming "from outside".

Why this matters: real habits and the case of Spain

In countries like Spain, Telegram has already surpassed the eight million active user mark. With the audience fragmented across multiple apps, demanding that everyone use the same one is no longer realistic.Having interoperability removes friction and reduces the classic "Do you have WhatsApp or Telegram?".

For end users, the obvious benefit is that you don't need to duplicate apps to talk to your contacts. For families and small groups, the change may go unnoticed at first.But for work environments, communities, and care services, it can be a remarkable relief.

It's also relevant from a competitive standpoint. If connecting to WhatsApp doesn't require leaving your favorite app, the cost of switching platforms is reducedIn the medium term, we could see a market less dependent on a single tool.

However, there's no magic involved: Interoperability alone does not fix usability, moderation, or advanced feature problems. Each app handles this in its own way. It's a bridge, not a complete replacement for the native experience.

How might it feel on a daily basis?

Imagine you use Telegram as your main app, but your group of friends lives on WhatsApp. With interoperability enabled, you could write from one side and it would reach the other without any problems., keeping your standalone chats separate in their corresponding tab within WhatsApp.

If someone contacts you from an external platform for the first time, you will see their message in the "third parties" inbox. From there, you can choose whether you want to continue talking, block, or mute.That flow reduces friction and keeps you in control of what comes in.

For sending files or voice notes, the plan is for them to work from the first 1:1 phase. Groups and calls will be a different storyThey will probably require more technical cooking and testing to avoid breaking anything along the way.

In short, less switching between apps, more focus on your conversations. And, above all, granular control to open or close the gate as you see fit..

What about Apple, Microsoft, and the rest of the gatekeepers?

DMA doesn't stop at messaging: Apple has had to open iOS to third-party apps and storesMicrosoft is reviewing its integrations and practices, while Alphabet, Amazon, and ByteDance face obligations on various fronts. The common goal: to prevent dominant services from imposing unfair barriers on the rest of the market.

In this context, WhatsApp's interoperability is a particularly visible piece due to its impact on everyday communication. If it works well, users will notice concrete changes in their daily lives.If it stumbles, it will be a reminder that the balance between safety, competence, and experience is no small feat.

In any case, compliance is audited and adjusted accordingly. There. The deadlines have been subject to change.And it wouldn't be surprising if we saw extended testing phases before the global rollout.

Questions that remain unanswered

Will there be complete parity of features between connected apps? The reasonable expectation is no. Advanced features will continue to be better supported within each appInteroperability will first cover what is essential and secure.

How will the technical cost of maintaining these bridges be paid for? That depends on each agreement. There may be APIs, common protocols, and security validations. that each platform will have to implement and maintain.

What if an app decides not to participate? That possibility always exists. The DMA sets obligations for some and channels for othersHowever, it doesn't impose the same level of openness on everyone. Even so, for many apps, connecting with WhatsApp can be attractive because of its reach.

Will we see interoperability in WhatsApp Business? The door isn't closed, but The current priority is ensuring privacy in the consumer appIf it reaches Business, it could be a game-changer for support and sales.

With all of the above on the table, what is emerging is a profound change in how messaging platforms communicate. The option to enable "Third-Party Chats" in WhatsApp, the isolation of those conversations in a separate inbox, the warnings about encryption and spam, and the phased rollout These are the pieces that fit together best today. The crucial step is missing: that applications like Telegram, Signal, and Google Messages get on board, and that Meta ties up the remaining technical and compliance issues so we can freely discuss usable, secure, and, above all, practical interoperability for everyday use.