How to send a new chat on WhatsApp

How to Send a New Chat on WhatsApp: A Complete Guide for Beginners

WhatsApp messenger app

In today’s digital age, staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues has never been easier, thanks to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp.

With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become one of the most widely used messaging platforms. Whether you’re using it to catch up with a friend, keep in touch with family members, or connect with a new contact, knowing how to send a chat on WhatsApp is essential.

For those who are new to the app or simply need a refresher, this guide will take you through everything you need to know to start a new chat on WhatsApp. This information is tailored for both teens and adults, with clear, step-by-step instructions to make the process easy to follow.

Getting Started with WhatsApp: The Basics

Before diving into sending a new chat, it’s essential to understand a few basics about WhatsApp.

What is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is a free messaging app owned by Meta (formerly Facebook) that allows users to send messages, photos, videos, and even make voice and video calls over the internet. The app works on smartphones, tablets, and even on desktop computers via WhatsApp Web.

How Does WhatsApp Work?

WhatsApp uses your phone’s internet connection to send and receive messages, which means it does not use traditional SMS fees. Instead, as long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi or have mobile data, you can message or call any other WhatsApp user worldwide without additional charges.

Setting Up WhatsApp

To start using WhatsApp, download the app from the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android) and register using your phone number. Once registered, you can start chatting with contacts who also use WhatsApp.

Step 1: Opening the WhatsApp App

After you have downloaded and set up WhatsApp, open the app by tapping its green speech bubble icon on your home screen or app list. You’ll see WhatsApp’s main interface, which consists of tabs or sections like “Chats,” “Status,” and “Calls.”

The Chats tab is where all of your conversations are stored, and this is where we’ll focus since sending a new chat starts here.

Step 2: Starting a New Chat

Once you’re on the Chats tab, you can start a new chat by following these steps:

WhatsApp chats New chat icon

Tap the “New Chat” Icon

On the Chats screen, you’ll see an icon that typically resembles a message bubble or a “+” symbol (depending on your device and app version) In the lower-right corner. Tap this icon to start a new chat.

Selecting a Contact to Chat With

Select a contact to message

Once you tap the New Chat icon, you’ll be taken to your contact list. This list displays all the people saved in your phone’s contacts who also use WhatsApp.

Scroll through this list to find the person you want to chat with, or type their name into the search bar at the top of the screen for quicker access.

Starting the Chat

Tap on the name of the contact to open a new chat window. This is where you can start typing your message.

Step 3: Sending Your First Message

Now that you’re in a chat window with the selected contact, here’s how to compose and send a message:

Type Your Message

Tap on the text box at the bottom of the screen, which usually says “Type a message.” Using your phone’s keyboard, type in your message. It could be a simple greeting, a question, or any other text you want to send.

Add Emojis, GIFs, or Stickers (Optional)

WhatsApp allows you to add a bit of flair to your messages by using emojis, GIFs, and stickers. To do this, tap the emoji Icon located next to the text box. From here, you can select emojis, GIFs, or stickers to include in your message.

Sending the Message

Once you’re satisfied with your message, tap the send button, typically represented by a green paper airplane icon. Your message will appear in the chat window, and if the recipient is online, they’ll receive it immediately.

Understanding WhatsApp Message Status Icons

After sending your message, you’ll notice small checkmarks next to it. These checkmarks indicate the status of your message:

• One Gray Checkmark: Your message has been sent but hasn’t reached the recipient yet.
• Two Gray Checkmarks: Your message has been delivered to the recipient’s device but hasn’t been read.
• Two Blue Checkmarks: Your message has been read by the recipient.

These icons provide a helpful way to know if your message has been seen, especially if you’re waiting for a response.

Step 4: Sending More Than Just Text

In addition to text messages, WhatsApp allows you to share a variety of multimedia and documents:

Sending Photos and Videos

To send a photo or video, tap the camera icon located next to the text box or use the paperclip icon (attachments). You can either take a photo/video directly in WhatsApp or choose one from your gallery.

Sharing Contacts

WhatsApp also allows you to share contact details. In the chat window, tap the paperclip icon and select Contact. Choose the contact you want to share, and it will be sent to the recipient.

Sending Documents

If you need to share a document, tap the paperclip icon and select Document. You can then browse your files and choose the document you want to send.

Starting a New Group Chat on WhatsApp

In addition to one-on-one chats, WhatsApp allows you to create group chats to communicate with multiple people at once. Here’s how:

1. Tap the “New Chat” Icon

As with starting a new individual chat, go to the Chats tab and tap the New Chat icon.

2. Select “New Group”

From the contact selection screen, choose New Group.

3. Add Participants

Scroll through your contacts and tap the names of the people you want to add to the group. You can add up to 256 participants to a single group chat.

4. Set a Group Name

Once you’ve added everyone, tap Next to proceed to the group creation screen. Here, type a name for your group (this will be visible to all participants), and add an optional group photo by tapping the camera icon.

5. Create the Group

Tap the Create button to finalize your group. You’ll now see a new chat window where all group members can send messages and view each other’s replies in real time.

Tips for a Better WhatsApp Experience

1. Customize Notifications

WhatsApp allows you to customize notifications for individual contacts and groups. To do this, open a chat, tap the contact’s name or group name at the top, and select Custom Notifications.

2. Mute Conversations

If you’re in a busy group chat or conversation that you want to silence temporarily, you can mute notifications. Tap the contact or group name, select Mute Notifications, and choose how long you’d like to mute the chat.

3. Manage Privacy Settings

You can control who can see your last seen, profile photo, and status updates. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy and adjust your preferences.

4. Use WhatsApp Web

For those who prefer typing on a computer, WhatsApp Web lets you send and receive messages from your computer. Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer and scan the QR code using WhatsApp on your phone (Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device).

Conclusion

WhatsApp is a powerful messaging tool that’s easy to use once you’re familiar with the basics. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can start sending new chats, sharing multimedia, creating groups, and managing your conversations with ease.

Whether you’re reconnecting with old friends or staying in touch with family across the globe, WhatsApp provides a fast, reliable, and user-friendly way to communicate.

With these skills under your belt, you’re ready to explore more advanced features and make the most out of WhatsApp’s many possibilities. Happy chatting