How to Add Someone to a WhatsApp Group (Every Method)

Adding someone to a WhatsApp group sounds like the simplest job in the app, until the Add button is missing or the person can't be added. There are three ways in: you add them yourself, you send them an invite link or QR code, or you invite them privately when their settings stop a direct add. Which one works depends on your role in the group and on the other person's privacy settings. I'll take you through each, using the steps in WhatsApp's help centre, plus the points that matter if you run a group for customers.

Add someone to a WhatsApp group on Android

1. Open the group chat and tap the group subject. Or tap and hold the group in the Chats tab, then tap the menu and Group info.
2. Tap Add or Invite via Link.
3. Search for or select contacts, or a phone number, to add.
4. Turn on Message history if you want to send recent messages (more on that below).
5. Confirm to add them.

Add someone to a WhatsApp group on iPhone

1. Open the group chat and tap the group subject. Or swipe the group to the left in the Chats tab, then tap More and Group Info.
2. Tap Add Members or Invite to Group via Link.
3. Search for or select contacts or a phone number.
4. Turn on Message history if you'd like to, choose how many messages and tap Done.
5. Tap Add, then Add again to confirm.

WhatsApp's help page says admins can add or remove members and can also allow other members to add people. If the group has Approve New Members turned on and requests are waiting, an admin can review them from the same area.

Add someone to a WhatsApp group who isn't saved in your contacts

You don't have to save a number first. According to WhatsApp's help page, you can add people or phone numbers that aren't in your contacts. Open the group, tap the group name, tap Add members, type the phone number, select it and tap Add or Add to group. That's handy for a customer who has just sent you a message. If you do want them saved, my guide to adding a contact on WhatsApp has the steps.

WhatsApp's help page also says that if you invite a contact who doesn't have WhatsApp, you can send an invite by SMS: tap Add, select the contact, and if prompted allow WhatsApp to send and view SMS messages, then enter a message and tap Invite via SMS.

Send recent messages to a new WhatsApp group member

WhatsApp lets you share some history when you add someone. Its help page says you may have the option to send message history, up to 100 messages from the last 14 days. The new member gets a notification, and everyone in the group sees a system message saying history was sent. Admins can turn off members' ability to send message history in group permissions, so if you don't see the option, that's usually why. It's worth thinking before you switch it on, because the earlier messages may include things the newcomer wasn't meant to read.

Add someone to a WhatsApp group with an invite link or QR code

Links put the decision in the other person's hands. WhatsApp's help page says to open the group, tap the group name and tap Invite via link or QR code. From there you can copy the link, share it through another app, or generate a QR code to scan. If a link has travelled further than you wanted, an admin can tap Reset link on the same screen, and the help page says the previous link can't be restored.

Who can send those links depends on group permissions. By default, members in groups with fewer than 33 members can create invite links. Admins can switch that off. My explainer on what the Add member tag means in WhatsApp groups covers a related label you might see.

Why you can't add someone to a WhatsApp group

If the Add option is missing, or WhatsApp refuses to add a particular person, these are the reasons the help pages give:

• You aren't an admin and Add other members is turned off in Group permissions.
• The group is full. WhatsApp's help page says groups can have up to 1024 members.
• The person's group privacy setting stops you. Anyone with a phone number can add them by default, but they can limit it to My Contacts or My Contacts Except.
• You've added too many people to groups recently. The help page says you might need to wait 24 hours before adding more members or creating groups.
• The person isn't on WhatsApp, so only the SMS invite is available.

What happens when a WhatsApp privacy setting blocks a group add

This is the part many admins miss. WhatsApp's help page on group privacy says the default is Everyone, but people can choose My Contacts or My Contacts Except. If you're not allowed to add them, you'll get a pop-up saying you can't, with a prompt to send a private group invite through an individual chat. They then have three days to accept before it expires.

The same page says the setting only applies when someone adds you directly. It doesn't stop an invite link, and joining by link is always the person's choice. So if someone has declined a direct add, a friendly note explaining the group, plus the link, respects their wishes. Don't try to work around it.

Add a member to a WhatsApp group by username

WhatsApp's help page on usernames says that if someone has set one up, you can add them from the group. Open the group, tap the group name, tap Add members, then type their full, exact username. If the username exists you'll see their profile with a display name. You'll need their key if they have one, unless you share a group or have their number. Usernames are rolling out gradually, so you may not see this yet. For more on how usernames work, see my guide to finding someone on WhatsApp.

Running a business WhatsApp group: adding people the right way

• Ask before adding anyone. People who are added without asking are more likely to leave or report the group.
• Write a clear group description so a newcomer knows what to expect.
• Keep the admin list short and decide on the Add other members setting on day one.
• Remove people kindly. My guide to removing someone from a WhatsApp group explains what the help pages say happens next.

Frequently asked questions

Who can add people to a WhatsApp group?

Group admins can, and admins can allow other members to add people too. In groups started with fewer than 33 members, WhatsApp's help page says all members can add others by default.

How many people can be in a WhatsApp group?

WhatsApp's help page says groups can have up to 1024 members.

Can I add someone who isn't in my contacts?

Yes. In Add members, type the phone number and select it. WhatsApp's help page says you can add people or numbers that aren't saved.

Why does WhatsApp say I can't add someone?

Their group privacy setting may limit who can add them. WhatsApp then lets you send a private group invite, which they have three days to accept.

Can I send chat history to a new member?

You may have the option to send up to 100 messages from the last 14 days, unless admins have turned off the message history setting.