Politely Ask: The simplest, most respectful, and safest method is to send them a Whatsapp message and politely ask for their contact number. Respect their decision if they decline.
Truecaller for Android: A Legitimate Helper (Not a "Bot" to Unhide Numbers)
Truecaller is a widely used Android app for identifying unknown numbers, and it does offer integration with Whatsapp (and WhatsApp). However, it's crucial to understand its role:
Official App Integration unknown WhatsApp and Whatsapp callers/message senders are integrated within its official Android app. You download the Truecaller app from the Google Play Store.
How it Works on Android: For Android, Truecaller singapore whatsapp number data leverages permissions like "Notification Access" and "Draw over other apps." When an unknown number calls or messages you on Whatsapp (or WhatsApp), Truecaller's system intervenes to display an identification pop-up based on its vast crowdsourced and business databases. (News from Truecaller's official channels and tech blogs from early 2025 detail how to enable these features on Android.)
It Doesn't "Unhide" Numbers: Truecaller's purpose is to identify who is calling or messaging you if their number is not saved in your contacts. It does not bypass or "unhide" a number that a Whatsapp user has explicitly chosen to keep private in their privacy settings.
New Features (May 2025): Truecaller continues to evolve for Android users, with recent news highlighting features like AI-powered Message IDs, which are free for all users and intelligently identify and summarize important business SMS messages, further enhancing communication safety.
The Bellingcat Whatsapp Phone Number Checker: A Tool for OSINT, Not Private Numbers
You might encounter discussions about Bellingcat's Whatsapp Phone Number Checker. It's vital to clarify its purpose:
What it is: This is a Python-based command-line tool designed for Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) investigations, primarily used by journalists and researchers. It allows you to check if a known phone number is connected to a Whatsapp account and, if so.