How to find someone on WhatsApp: Step-by-step guide for Android and iOS

WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps worldwide, connecting billions of users for seamless communication. Whether you’re trying to reach a friend, family member, or colleague, finding someone on WhatsApp is usually a straightforward process, as long as you have their phone number or are part of a mutual group.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through various ways to find someone on WhatsApp, whether you’re adding a new contact, searching through existing chats, or even scanning QR codes. With the right steps, you can easily locate any contact on WhatsApp and start a conversation.

➡️ Using Phone Number to Find Someone

The primary way to find someone on WhatsApp is by using their phone number. To start, make sure the contact you’re trying to reach has WhatsApp installed and registered with their phone number. Here’s how to find them:

• Open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
• Tap the “Chats” tab and then click on the chat icon at the top right (in Android) or the “New Chat” icon at the top (in iPhone).
• Select “New Contact” and enter the person’s phone number and name.
• Once you save the contact, refresh your WhatsApp contact list, and their name should appear in your contacts list if they use WhatsApp.

➡️ Using WhatsApp’s Search Function

If you already have a contact saved but can’t find them, WhatsApp’s search function can help. This feature allows you to search for conversations and contacts quickly:

• Open WhatsApp and swipe down on the “Chats” tab.
• Type the name or phone number of the person you’re trying to find in the search bar at the top.
• WhatsApp will display any matching results, including both chat threads and contacts, making it easy to reconnect with someone.

➡️ Connecting via QR Code

Another easy way to find someone on WhatsApp is by using their QR code. This feature allows you to scan the QR code of another user directly from the app:

• Go to WhatsApp’s “Settings” (on both Android and iPhone).
• Tap on the QR code icon next to your profile picture.
• Choose “Scan Code” and point your phone’s camera at the other person’s QR code.
• After scanning, their contact will be added to your WhatsApp contacts list if they use the app.

➡️ Using WhatsApp Web

If you’re already chatting with someone on WhatsApp and want to continue the conversation on your computer, WhatsApp Web can help. However, it’s important to note that you still need to have the contact’s phone number saved and synced with your phone:

• Open web.whatsapp.com on your computer browser.
• Scan the QR code displayed on the screen using your WhatsApp mobile app.
• Once connected, you can chat with your contacts, including the person you’re looking for, directly from your computer.

➡️ Finding People in WhatsApp Groups

Sometimes, the person you’re trying to reach is part of a group. If you’re in the same WhatsApp group as the person, you can locate them by following these steps:

• Open the group chat.
• Tap on the group name at the top to open the group info.
• Scroll through the list of participants, and you’ll be able to see the members’ names and numbers.

➡️ Using Contacts Sync Feature

WhatsApp can sync with your phone’s contacts, allowing you to see who is available on WhatsApp. To use this feature:

• Make sure your phone has access to your contacts.
• When adding a new contact to your phone’s contact list, WhatsApp will automatically update and show the person if they have WhatsApp enabled on their number.
• Open WhatsApp and refresh your contact list to view the newly synced contacts.

➡️ Finding Someone by Profile Picture or Status

If you know the person’s WhatsApp number but aren’t sure about their full contact details, you can search for them by their profile picture or status message. This can help you confirm their identity if you have partial information:

• Open the “Chats” tab in WhatsApp.
• Tap on the search bar and type in the person’s phone number.
• If they have a profile picture or status, it will appear, helping you verify that you’ve found the right contact.

➡️ Third-Party Apps for Finding WhatsApp Contacts

While WhatsApp itself doesn’t offer a specific directory for searching people outside your contacts, third-party apps claim to help find WhatsApp users by phone numbers. However, it’s important to use such services with caution due to privacy and security concerns. Be sure to verify the legitimacy and reviews of any app before using it.