WhatsApp is testing a new feature that could allow iPhone users to create and interact with third party AI agents directly within the messaging application. The feature is currently being rolled out to a limited number of users through the WhatsApp beta program and could eventually expand to more users if the testing is successful.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature has appeared in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.37.10.70 through Apple's TestFlight platform. The rollout is currently limited to a small number of users in select countries, so the feature is not yet available to all iPhone users.
The development follows an earlier rollout of third party agent chats on Android. WhatsApp has been working on a system that allows users to connect independently developed agents to their WhatsApp accounts and communicate with them through dedicated conversations.
Under the reported iPhone implementation, users can create up to five third party agents. The setup process is available through WhatsApp settings. Users can choose a name and profile photo for each agent, after which WhatsApp generates an API key. This key is used to connect the agent to an external service operated by its developer.
Once the connection has been established, the agent receives its own dedicated chat inside WhatsApp. Users can then communicate with the agent in a way that is similar to chatting with a normal contact.
The actual capabilities of each agent will depend on the service and technology provided by its developer. An agent could potentially be designed to help with tasks such as organising information, drafting messages, planning activities or answering specific questions. However, WhatsApp's system is not limited to artificial intelligence. The company's third party agent framework can also support conventional bots and automated services.
This means that users will not necessarily be connecting only to large AI models. Developers can create different types of automated services and make them available through the WhatsApp platform.
One of the key aspects of the feature is how access to user information is controlled. According to reports, third party agents are restricted to the information and messages that users explicitly share with them. The agents cannot access a user's other personal WhatsApp conversations, contacts or media stored on the device.
WhatsApp's official documentation confirms that users can connect third party agents to their accounts and communicate with them through WhatsApp. The company says these agents are created, owned and operated by independent developers or companies rather than by WhatsApp itself.
There is also an important privacy difference between conversations with third party agents and ordinary WhatsApp chats.
Regular WhatsApp personal messages and calls are protected by end to end encryption. However, WhatsApp says conversations with third party agents are not considered end to end encrypted because the messages are handled through a Meta service on behalf of the agent provider. The third party agent provider can receive, process and store messages according to its own data handling practices.
This distinction is important for users who may consider connecting an external AI service to WhatsApp. Users should understand the privacy terms of the specific agent and its developer before sharing personal, financial, confidential or sensitive information.
Another limitation reported during testing is that disappearing messages are not supported in third party agent conversations. Users can also reset the API key if they want to disconnect or replace the service connected to an agent.
The feature could eventually make WhatsApp a more convenient platform for accessing external AI tools and automated services. Instead of switching between separate applications, users could communicate with different agents from dedicated WhatsApp conversations.
The development also comes as Meta continues to expand artificial intelligence features across its messaging platforms. Meta recently introduced Muse, its personal AI agent, which can also be accessed through WhatsApp. Muse is a Meta-developed service, while the third party agent feature is designed to allow independent developers to connect their own services to WhatsApp.
The two systems therefore serve different purposes. Meta AI and Muse are developed within Meta's own AI ecosystem, whereas third party agents are operated by external developers using WhatsApp's technical platform.
At present, the iPhone feature remains in limited testing. WABetaInfo reports that only a small number of users in selected countries have access to the feature through the iOS beta program. WhatsApp has not announced a specific date for making the feature available to all iPhone users.
The limited rollout means the final version could change before a wider release. WhatsApp may also modify the available controls, supported services and eligibility requirements based on feedback from beta testers.
For iPhone users, the feature could eventually provide a new way to access specialised AI agents and automated services without leaving WhatsApp. At the same time, the different encryption model means users will need to treat third party agent chats differently from their regular personal conversations.
For now, users should consider the feature an experimental rollout rather than a generally available WhatsApp function. The final availability, supported regions and features will depend on WhatsApp's future rollout plans.