In today’s globalized world, staying connected with people from different countries is more important than ever. WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, makes it easy to communicate with friends and family around the world. However, adding foreign WhatsApp numbers can be a bit tricky if you’re not sure how to do it. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to add foreign WhatsApp numbers so that you can stay connected with your global contacts.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that WhatsApp uses country codes to identify phone numbers. This means that when you’re adding a foreign WhatsApp number, you’ll need to know the country code for that country. You can find a list of country codes on WhatsApp’s website. Once you have the country code, you can follow the steps below to add a foreign WhatsApp number.
Firstly, open the WhatsApp app on your phone.
Then, tap on the “Chats” tab.
Next, tap on the “New Chat” icon.
In the “To” field, enter the full phone number of the person you want to add, including the country code.
For example, if you’re adding a phone number from the United States, you would enter the number in the following format: +1 (555) 123-4567.
Once you’ve entered the phone number, tap on the “Create” button.
Identifying the Country Code
The first step in adding a foreign WhatsApp number is to identify the country code. This is a unique two- or three-digit number that is assigned to each country. You can find a comprehensive list of country codes on WhatsApp’s website or by searching online. Once you have identified the country code, you will need to add it to the beginning of the phone number. For example, if you are adding a phone number from the United States, you would add the country code +1.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, you do not need to include the country code if you are adding a phone number from Canada or Mexico. Additionally, some countries have multiple country codes. For example, the United Kingdom has the country codes +44 and +45.
If you are unsure of the country code for a particular phone number, you can use WhatsApp’s “Add Contact” feature. WhatsApp will automatically identify the country code and add it to the number for you. However, it is important to note that WhatsApp may not always be able to correctly identify the country code for every phone number.
| Country | Country Code |
|---|---|
| United States | +1 |
| Canada | +1 |
| Mexico | +52 |
| United Kingdom | +44 |
Entering the Phone Number in International Format
When entering a foreign WhatsApp number, it’s crucial to follow the international format to ensure the number is recognized and added correctly. This format consists of two parts:
- Country Code: This is a prefix that identifies the country where the phone number belongs. For example, the country code for the United States is +1.
- Phone Number: This is the local phone number without the leading zero. For instance, if the local phone number in the United States is 321-123-4567, the international format would be +13211234567.
To clarify, here is a detailed breakdown of the formatting process:
- Remove any leading zeros: The local phone number should not have any leading zeros. This means that if the phone number is 03211234567, it should be entered as 3211234567.
- Add the country code: Prepend the country code to the beginning of the phone number. For example, if the country code is +1 and the phone number is 3211234567, the result would be +13211234567.
- Include the plus sign (+): The plus sign is essential as it indicates that the number is in international format. In our example, the final format would be +13211234567.
By following these steps, you can ensure that foreign WhatsApp numbers are entered correctly and can be added without any issues.
Removing Leading Zeros
When adding a foreign WhatsApp number, it’s crucial to remove any leading zeros from the number. Leading zeros are the initial digits of a phone number that are not necessary for dialing internationally. Including them can lead to incorrect routing and failed connection attempts.
To remove leading zeros from a foreign WhatsApp number:
- If the number starts with a country code (e.g., +44), keep the country code.
- Remove any zeros that appear after the country code.
- Add a + sign before the corrected number.
For example, if the original number is 07831 567890 (a UK number), the correct format for WhatsApp is +447831 567890.
| Original Number | Corrected Number |
|---|---|
| 00447831 567890 | +447831 567890 |
| 07831 567890 | +447831 567890 |
| 01 555 1212 | +1555 1212 |
By removing leading zeros, you ensure that your foreign WhatsApp number is formatted correctly and ready for international communication.
Using the Plus Sign (+)
The most straightforward method to add a foreign WhatsApp number is by using the plus sign (+). This method works for all countries and requires no additional steps. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it:
1. Get the country code: Find the country code of the person you want to add. You can use this website to look up country codes: https://www.countrycallingcodes.com/
2. Add the plus sign: Before the country code, add a plus sign (+). For example, if the country code is 91 (for India), you would add it as +91.
3. Remove the leading zero: If the phone number starts with a zero, remove it. For example, if the phone number is 0123456789, you would remove the zero and enter it as 123456789.
4. Combine the country code and phone number: Combine the country code with the phone number, ensuring there are no spaces or dashes. For example, if the country code is +91 and the phone number is 123456789, the final number you would add would be +91123456789.
5. Save the contact: Once you have combined the country code and phone number, save the contact to your phone. Ensure you select the “Phone” option when saving the contact, not “WhatsApp.”
Note: If you are having trouble adding a foreign WhatsApp number using the plus sign, try the following troubleshooting tips:
* Ensure you have the correct country code.
* Remove any spaces, dashes, or other characters from the phone number.
* Make sure you are saving the contact as a “Phone” contact and not a “WhatsApp” contact.
* If the problem persists, try restarting your phone and WhatsApp.
Adding the Country Code to the Front
When adding a foreign WhatsApp number, you must include the country code in front of the phone number. The country code is a unique prefix assigned to each country, allowing you to dial phone numbers internationally. To find the country code for the desired country, you can refer to this helpful table:
| Country | Country Code |
|---|---|
| United States | +1 |
| United Kingdom | +44 |
| Canada | +1 |
| Australia | +61 |
| India | +91 |
Here’s a step-by-step guide for including the country code:
- Retrieve the country code: Begin by identifying the country code of the WhatsApp number you’re adding.
- Remove the leading zero: If the phone number starts with a zero, remove it before adding the country code.
- Add a plus sign: Place a plus sign (+) before the country code.
- Combine the elements: Join the plus sign (+), country code, and phone number together.
- Verify the format: Ensure the final WhatsApp number you have created matches this format: +[country code][phone number]. For example, if you’re adding a mobile number from the United States (+1): +11234567890
Confirming the Correct Format
To ensure seamless communication, it’s crucial to adhere to the proper format when adding foreign WhatsApp numbers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get it right:
1. **Confirm the Country Code:** Identify the country code of the foreign number. This code is typically two or three digits and appears at the beginning of the number.
2. **Use the ‘+’ Symbol:** Prefix the foreign number with a ‘+’ symbol. This indicates that you’re entering an international number.
3. **Omit Leading Zeros:** Remove any leading zeros from the foreign number’s area code. Zero is not recognized internationally.
4. **Use the Full Number:** Enter the complete telephone number, including the area code and subscriber number.
5. **Check the Format:** Verify that the number follows the correct format: ‘+[country code] [area code] [subscriber number]’.
6. **For Example:** To add a foreign WhatsApp number in the United Kingdom, you would format it as follows:
| Country Code | Area Code | Subscriber Number |
|---|---|---|
| +44 | 020 | 12345678 |
In summary, ensure that the foreign WhatsApp number includes the ‘+’ symbol, omits leading zeros, and contains both the area code and subscriber number. By following these steps, you can connect with international contacts effortlessly.
Saving the Contact
Once you have the correct WhatsApp number, you can save it as a contact on your phone. This will make it easier to find and message the person in the future. To save the contact, follow these steps:
- Open the WhatsApp app and go to the “Contacts” tab.
- Tap on the “New Contact” button.
- Enter the person’s name and phone number.
- Tap on the “Save” button.
You can now find the contact in your WhatsApp contacts list. To message the person, simply tap on their name and start chatting.
Additional Details for Phone Number Format
When saving a foreign WhatsApp number, it is important to use the correct phone number format. The phone number should be entered in the following format:
| Country Code | Area Code | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| +44 | 7900 | 1234567 |
The country code is a two-digit number that identifies the country where the person is located. The area code is a three-digit number that identifies the specific region within the country. The phone number is a seven-digit number that identifies the specific phone line.
If you are unsure about the correct phone number format, you can use WhatsApp’s “Add Contact” feature. This feature will automatically format the phone number for you.
Checking Prefix Numbers
When adding a foreign number to WhatsApp, it is essential to include the correct prefix, which is the code that identifies the country or region. To find the prefix for a specific country, follow these steps:
- Open a search engine like Google or Bing.
- Type in “country code” followed by the name of the country you are interested in.
- For example, if you want to add a number from the United States, type “country code United States.”
- The search results will display the country code, which is typically a two-digit number.
The following table lists the prefixes for some common countries:
| Country | Prefix |
|---|---|
| United States | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 44 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Australia | 61 |
| New Zealand | 64 |
Once you have found the correct prefix, you can add it to the foreign number when saving it in WhatsApp. For example, if you want to add a number from the United States, you would enter the number as follows:
“`
+1 123-456-7890
“`
The “+” sign indicates that the number is an international number, and the “1” is the country code for the United States. The remaining digits are the actual phone number.
Avoiding Country Code Omission
One of the most common mistakes made when adding foreign WhatsApp numbers is to omit the country code. This can result in the number being invalid and unable to receive messages. To avoid this, make sure to include the full country code when adding the number.
Here are the steps on how to add a foreign WhatsApp number with the country code:
1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the “Chats” tab.
2. Tap on the “New Chat” icon.
3. Tap on the “New Contact” button.
4. Enter the contact’s name.
5. Tap on the “Country Code” field.
6. Select the contact’s country code from the list.
7. Enter the contact’s phone number.
8. Tap on the “Save” button.
Here is a table with examples of country codes for some common countries:
| Country | Country Code |
|---|---|
| United States | +1 |
| United Kingdom | +44 |
| Canada | +1 |
| Australia | +61 |
| France | +33 |
| Germany | +49 |
| India | +91 |
| China | +86 |
Add Foreign WhatsApp Numbers
To add a foreign WhatsApp number, simply follow these steps:
1. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
2. Tap on the “Chats” tab.
3. Tap on the “New Chat” button.
4. Enter the foreign phone number, including the country code.
5. Tap on the “Create” button.
6. The foreign contact will now be added to your WhatsApp contacts list.
Troubleshooting Common Errors
Error: “Invalid phone number”
Make sure that you have entered the phone number correctly, including the country code. The country code should be the same as the country where the foreign contact is located.
Error: “Contact not found”
Make sure that the foreign contact has a WhatsApp account. If they do not, they will need to create one before you can add them to your contacts list.
Error: “Unable to add contact”
This error can occur if you are trying to add a contact who has blocked you. If you are sure that the contact has not blocked you, try restarting your phone and then trying again.
Error: “WhatsApp is not available in your country”
WhatsApp is not available in all countries. If you are trying to add a foreign contact who lives in a country where WhatsApp is not available, you will not be able to do so.
Error: “Your phone number is not verified”
If you have not verified your phone number with WhatsApp, you will not be able to add foreign contacts. To verify your phone number, simply enter your phone number into the WhatsApp app and tap on the “Verify” button. You will then receive a verification code via SMS. Enter the verification code into the app to complete the verification process.
Error: “You have reached your limit of adding foreign contacts”
WhatsApp limits the number of foreign contacts that you can add. If you have reached your limit, you will not be able to add any more foreign contacts until you remove some of the existing ones.
Error: “Something went wrong. Please try again later.”
This is a general error message that can occur for a variety of reasons. If you see this error, try restarting your phone and then trying again. If the error persists, please contact WhatsApp support.
How to Add a Foreign WhatsApp Number
Adding a foreign WhatsApp number to your contacts is a simple process. Follow these steps to get started:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Tap the New Chat icon in the top right corner.
- Enter the foreign WhatsApp number in the search bar at the top of the screen.
- Tap on the contact’s name that appears in the search results.
- Tap on the Add to Contacts button.
Once you have added the foreign WhatsApp number to your contacts, you can start chatting with them right away. Keep in mind that you may need to pay international calling or texting rates if you are calling or texting a number in a different country.
People Also Ask
How do I find a foreign WhatsApp number?
There are a few ways to find a foreign WhatsApp number. You can use a search engine to find WhatsApp groups or communities related to the country you are interested in. You can also ask friends or family members if they know anyone who has a WhatsApp number in a foreign country.
Can I call a foreign WhatsApp number?
Yes, you can call a foreign WhatsApp number. However, you may need to pay international calling rates if you are calling a number in a different country.
Can I text a foreign WhatsApp number?
Yes, you can text a foreign WhatsApp number. However, you may need to pay international texting rates if you are texting a number in a different country.
