[actionablefiber]

WeChat will loudly grumble every time you try to send a photo if you haven't given access to all photos. But at least it works.

[hakre]

And if you tell me now, that it works without having access to contacts, its lightyears ahead of WhatsApp.

But still, these moaning dialogs aren't trust-building. I wish there would be better guidance with UX in the industry.

[throwaway290]

WhatsApp works without access to contacts now, no?

[smileybarry]

WhatsApp still uses your contacts as its "friends list", i.e.: people appearing in "new chat". You can still text any number with wa.me links but the UI doesn't offer number input IIRC.

[hakre]

No, you can't initiate a session with someone you know the number of, it demands access to contacts so "you can stay in contact with your friends". The usual weasel words.

[throwaway290]

It was the case before, but I can do it now. It says "enable contact access to make it easier" but I can also just punch in a number and start chatting... Contact access is off.

[gavinsyancey]

This is not the case in WhatsApp on Android, at least as of a couple months ago when I last checked.