In November 2025, WhatsApp announced that it will begin supporting third-party chats across Europe — a major step toward interoperability under Digital Markets Act (DMA). The initial launch, slated for “coming months,” will allow WhatsApp users in EU countries to communicate directly with people using other compatible messaging apps, while preserving end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and privacy protections. About Facebook+2TechCrunch+2

What Changes with Third-Party Chats

Once the rollout begins, WhatsApp users who opt in will be able to exchange text messages, images, voice notes, videos, and files with contacts on interoperable third-party apps. Support for group chats will follow when partner services are ready. About Facebook+2DMR News+2
The essential novelty is that users will not need to install multiple messaging apps just to communicate — one can stay within WhatsApp and reach people on other platforms. Options will be provided to route third-party messages to a separate folder or integrate them into the main inbox, depending on users’ preferences. About Facebook+1

Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, emphasises a “privacy-first” approach: third-party services must support the same level of encryption as WhatsApp. Users will be asked to opt in; interoperability is optional, and can be switched off at any time. About Facebook+1

Why the Change?

This update comes as a direct response to regulatory requirements under the DMA, which aims to break down walled gardens operated by large tech platforms and foster interoperability — giving users freedom to communicate across services, not just within a single platform’s ecosystem. Engineering at Meta+1
For Meta, the development marks a major compliance milestone. WhatsApp must now allow users in Europe to reach people using other apps that opted in to interoperability. About Facebook+1

Who Are the First Third-Party Partners?

The first apps to implement this cross-service chat support are BirdyChat and Haiket, two smaller European messaging services that have completed integration work with Meta’s systems. About Facebook+1
These partnerships are the result of over three years of collaboration between Meta, third-party messaging vendors, and the European Commission to deliver a technically secure and user-friendly interoperable experience. About Facebook+1

What It Means for Users and the Messaging Ecosystem

For end-users, the change means more flexibility: you’ll no longer need to ask contacts to switch apps. Whether your friend prefers BirdyChat, Haiket or any future interoperable app, you can reach them without leaving WhatsApp. This convenience also reduces the fragmentation of communication, making it easier to stay connected across different services.

From a broader perspective, interoperability may promote competition among messaging apps. Smaller services now have a viable path to access WhatsApp’s large user base — without needing to build their network from zero. Over time, this could encourage innovation and drive up overall service quality, privacy standards, and feature variety.

Challenges and Limits

However, the rollout comes with caveats. For now, third-party chats will be supported only on WhatsApp’s mobile apps (iOS and Android). There’s no guarantee the feature will come immediately to web or desktop. TechCrunch+1
Users are also reminded that while encryption remains the same, third-party apps may have different privacy and data handling policies. This could lead to uncertainty about metadata handling or trust differences depending on the service chosen. About Facebook+1

Group chats and voice/video calling with third-party users are still planned for the future (group support first, calls possibly in 2027), so full feature parity is not yet immediate. About Facebook+2About Facebook+2

Another potential downside: interoperability may enable more spam or unsolicited messages if not properly moderated. Since it’s easier for third-party apps to reach large WhatsApp user bases, the risk of abuse might increase — unless strong safeguards are in place.

What’s Next?

Meta plans a staggered rollout: first opt-in prompts will begin appearing in the Settings tab of WhatsApp apps for European users. As more third-party apps complete integration, the list of interoperable messaging services should grow. About Facebook+2webnewswire.com+2

Looking forward, interoperability could evolve beyond text and media — eventually bringing cross-app voice/video calls, group chats, and other advanced features. Meta’s engineering blog indicates that group support is expected in 2025, and calls may follow later. About Facebook+1

For users, companies and regulators alike, the development opens new possibilities — as well as new responsibilities. As the messaging ecosystem becomes more interconnected, the balance between convenience, privacy and control will be crucial.

Sources (links to include under the article)

• Meta Newsroom — “Messaging Interoperability: WhatsApp enables third-party chats for users in Europe”