WhatsApp Business for iOS rolls out worldwide

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WhatsApp Business
Find WhatsApp Business in the App Store now.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp Business for iOS has begun its worldwide rollout.

The new app, which lets businesses connect with their customers in an instant, made its debut on iOS last month — but only in a small number of countries. Now you can get your hands on it anywhere.

You might not like the idea of businesses sliding into your WhatsApp messages. But sometimes — especially when you have a problem — having the ability to contact them via an instant messaging service can be incredible handy.

WhatsApp Business, unlike the regular WhatsApp client, lets business owners create a profile that includes things like email addresses and opening hours. It’s free to use, which means it’s great for small companies.

WhatsApp Business finally goes worldwide on iOS

Another advantage to WhatsApp Business, which has been available on Android since last January, is that it lets business owners set up automated replies. So if you contact a business that’s closed, you won’t be completely ignored.

Both greeting messages and away messages are supported — as well as quick replies, labels for organizing conversations, messaging statistics, and more.

WhatsApp Business is a different thing to the WhatsApp Business API. The latter is a paid service aimed at much bigger corporations, while the Business app is open to any and all business owners.

The Business API, one of WhatsApp’s only sources of revenue, also charges users for replying to messages that are more than 24 hours old. The Business app, on the other hand, does not.

WhatsApp Business is available from the App Store

You should be able to download WhatsApp Business from the App Store now in the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, and Mexico. It will expand its reach to the rest of the world soon.

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