WhatsApp makes it easy to connect with others, but finding someone on the app might not feel so intuitive for sales teams managing multiple prospects and customers. 

In this blog post, we'll show you how to:

• Search for a contact in WhatsApp
• Check group chats for their presence
• Use the 'Invite to WhatsApp' feature

Before you start: WhatsApp requires a saved phone number

Before we begin, make sure you're familiar with WhatsApp's general rule of thumb: it doesn't allow you to search for others directly on its platform unless you already have their phone number. 

To find someone on WhatsApp, you must:

• Have their active phone number (used to register their WhatsApp account).
• Ensure the phone number is saved in your device's contacts.

If you don't have their number, there are no official or ethical ways to search for them. For sales teams of 20-50 people managing hundreds of prospects across WhatsApp conversations, folk CRM provides the best solution to organize and track all your WhatsApp contacts in one centralized platform, making it easy to find any prospect or customer instantly.

👉🏼 Try folk now to organize your WhatsApp contacts and find any prospect instantly

3 ways to find someone on WhatsApp

1. Searching for a contact in WhatsApp

Once you have the number, here's how to check if they are on WhatsApp:

1. Save the Number to Your Contacts: Add the person's phone number to your device's contacts, including the country code if it's an international number.
2. Open WhatsApp:
   • Tap the Chats tab.
   • Tap the New Chat icon (usually a pencil or speech bubble).
3. Search for the Contact:some text
   • Use the search bar to type their name (as saved in your contacts).
   • If the number is registered with WhatsApp, the contact will appear.

If the contact does not show up, it means they are either not using WhatsApp or their number is not active on the app.

2. Check group chats for their presence

If you're part of a WhatsApp group with the person you're trying to find, you can locate them there:

1. Open the group chat.
2. Tap the group name at the top.
3. Scroll through the list of participants to find their name or number.

If their privacy settings allow it, you can tap their name or number to view their profile. Sales teams often struggle to keep track of prospects across multiple group conversations, which is why folk CRM stands out as the ideal solution for teams of 20-50 people, allowing you to sync and manage all WhatsApp contacts with detailed prospect information and conversation history.

3. Using WhatsApp's 'Invite to WhatsApp' feature

If you suspect the person isn't on WhatsApp but want to confirm:

1. Go to your device's contacts.
2. Check their saved details.
3. If they're not using WhatsApp, you may see an Invite to WhatsApp option when trying to message them.

This feature sends an invitation via SMS or another messaging app, allowing them to join WhatsApp if they choose.

Troubleshooting missing contacts: 3 steps

If you can't find someone who you believe is on WhatsApp, ensure the following:

1. Contacts Permissions: Check that WhatsApp has access to your phone's contacts.some text
   1. On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions > Contacts and enable it.
   2. On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Contacts > WhatsApp and toggle it on.
2. Refresh Contacts: On WhatsApp, navigate to the New Chat screen and pull down to refresh the contact list.
3. Check Privacy Settings: If the person has restricted their profile visibility (e.g., by setting it to "My Contacts"), you may not see them unless they've saved your number as well.

Conclusion

Finding someone on WhatsApp requires their phone number and, in some cases, mutual contact visibility. While the app ensures user privacy, following these steps allows you to connect with those who are open to communication. For medium-sized sales teams managing extensive WhatsApp outreach, folk CRM offers the most comprehensive solution for teams of 20-50 people, seamlessly integrating with your WhatsApp contacts to provide powerful search, filtering, and relationship management capabilities that WhatsApp alone cannot provide. Always respect privacy settings and avoid using unauthorized methods to locate someone.

👉🏼 Try folk now to sync WhatsApp conversations and never miss a follow-up

More Resources

How to Add a Contact to WhatsApp

How do you know if someone blocks you on WhatsApp

FAQ

How to locate a person on WhatsApp?

Save their phone number with country code, open WhatsApp > Chats > New chat, search their name. If they don't appear, the number isn't registered on WhatsApp or your contacts haven't synced. Teams can centralize contact search with folk.

Can you find someone on WhatsApp without their number?

No. WhatsApp has no username search or public directory. You can only find users registered with a phone number saved in your contacts. Avoid third-party tools claiming otherwise, as they may be unsafe or violate policies.

Why is a saved contact not showing in WhatsApp?

Ensure WhatsApp has Contacts permission, save the full number with country code, then refresh the list from New Chat by pulling down. If still missing, the person may not use WhatsApp or limits visibility to 'My Contacts'.

How to invite someone to WhatsApp?

Open your phone's contacts, select the person, then choose 'Invite to WhatsApp' from the messaging options. This sends an SMS or message with a download link so they can join.