WhatsApp May Soon Let You Chat With Users From Other Apps Like Arattai
WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new feature that could let users chat with people who don’t even use the platform — a move that might change how messaging apps work.
In recent weeks, India’s homegrown messaging app Arattai, developed by Zoho, has gained attention as a rival to WhatsApp. Interestingly, WhatsApp now appears to be exploring cross-platform messaging, which would allow users from apps like Arattai to send and receive messages without leaving their own platforms.
According to WaBetaInfo, the feature has been spotted in testing and is currently limited to beta users in Europe. This could be part of WhatsApp’s compliance with new EU regulations that require major tech companies to make their services interoperable with other apps.
While Zoho’s CEO Sridhar Vembu has previously mentioned plans to make Arattai work across platforms, it seems WhatsApp is now following a similar path — whether coincidentally or due to regulatory pressure.
However, the biggest hurdle in enabling cross-platform chats lies in security and encryption standards. Arattai, for instance, does not yet support end-to-end encryption, making integration with WhatsApp more complex. Apps like Signal and Telegram, which already use strong encryption, may be easier to link.
The initial rollout of this feature is expected to focus on the European Union, helping Meta meet compliance requirements and avoid sanctions. But if successful, this could pave the way for a more interoperable messaging ecosystem, where users can chat freely across different platforms.
Despite the early buzz, local apps like Arattai face a common challenge — keeping users engaged in an ecosystem dominated by WhatsApp. Unless cross-platform messaging truly takes off, such apps risk being just another download that fades from use — unlike UPI, which thrives on seamless interoperability.
