WhatsApp will soon allow users in Europe to exchange messages with third-party apps, Meta has announced. The feature is being introduced to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and is expected to roll out in the coming months.
Meta says the integration will support end-to-end encryption at the same level currently used by WhatsApp. The company confirmed that BirdyChat and Haiket will be the first external services to connect with the platform.
European users with WhatsApp accounts registered to DMA-covered phone numbers will receive a notification explaining how to opt in. The feature will be available on WhatsApp for iOS and Android but not on desktop, web, or tablet versions.
Once enabled, users will be able to receive text, images, videos, voice messages, and documents from third-party apps. They can choose to keep these messages in a separate folder or merge them into their main inbox.
Meta says it cannot view encrypted messages sent through third-party apps but cautioned that external services may handle data differently. The company also plans to notify users whenever a new app becomes compatible with WhatsApp.
The DMA requires major messaging platforms to open up their services to rivals to ensure fair competition — a shift that will allow smaller or lesser-known apps to reach wider audiences.
