Users can now add contacts by scanning their QR codes on WhatsApp’s latest beta version.
The feature which is already available on both iOS and Android, can be found in the app’s settings menu, where there are options to display your own code, as well as to scan other people’s.
You can revoke a QR code if it gets shared with someone who you don’t want to have your number.
It is much of an update but adding contacts on WhatsApp can hard. For now, the service relies on you adding a new contact to your phone’s address book, which creates an annoying extra step when you just want to be able to message someone in WhatsApp itself.
QR codes are a much more convenient way of adding someone if you’re with them in person, although it won’t make the process too much easier if you’re doing it online.
Even though the feature is currently available in beta, there is no information on when we might see it come to the main app.