This wikiHow teaches you how to add a WhatsApp contact with an international phone number to an Android phone or tablet. Since WhatsApp pulls your contacts from your Android's regular Contacts app, you'll just need to create a new contact that includes your friend's international phone number preceded by a plus (+) symbol.

Things You Should Know

  • Add the person you want to message as a new contact in your phone to message them on WhatsApp.
  • Make sure you have entered their full international number. This will include a + symbol, the country code, and then the rest of the phone number.
  • Once they are added to your phone, you can message them on WhatsApp using the same method you would for a domestic contact.

Steps

  1. 1
    Open your Android’s Contacts. Look for an app called "Contacts" in your app drawer. It’s usually a blue, red, or orange icon with a white outline of a person’s head.[1]
  2. 2
    Tap the new contact icon. It's usually a plus (+) sign.
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  3. 3
    Select a storage location. Depending on your contacts app, you'll usually be asked to select an account and/or a storage location (internal storage or SIM card). This is where WhatsApp will save your new contact.
  4. 4
    Type a name for the contact.
  5. 5
    Enter the contact’s international phone number. In the phone number blank, start by typing the “+” (plus) symbol, followed by the country code (e.g., 44 for UK), and then the rest of the person's phone number.[2]
    • For example, a UK phone number would look something like this: +447981555555.
    • Phone numbers in Mexico must have a 1 after the country code (+52).
    • Phone numbers in Argentina (country code +54) must have a 9 between the country code and the area code. Remove the "15" prefix from this number so the phone number has 13 digits.
  6. 6
    Tap Save. The location varies by version. Your contact is now added to your Android’s phone book, which means you can now chat with them in WhatsApp.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I cannot add any international numbers into my WhatsApp. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    I had this problem, and it was because I had included the country code, but forgot to add the plus (+) sign in front of the number.
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About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 251,096 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: March 11, 2023
Views: 251,096
Categories: WhatsApp
Article SummaryX

1. Open your Android's main Contacts app.
2. Tap + to create a new contact.
3. Enter a contact name.
4. Type a + followed by the country code into the phone number blank.
5. Enter the rest of the phone number.
6. Save your contact so it is accessible in WhatsApp.

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