Need to send the same message to multiple people without creating a messy group chat? WhatsApp’s Broadcast List feature lets you do exactly that. I’ll walk you through creating and using broadcast lists effectively, so you can reach your contacts without them seeing each other’s replies or knowing who else received your message.
What Is a WhatsApp Broadcast List?
A broadcast list works differently from a regular WhatsApp group. When you send a message through a broadcast list, it goes to each recipient as an individual chat. They won’t see other recipients, and their replies come back to you privately.
Here’s the catch: recipients must have your number saved in their contacts to receive broadcast messages. If they haven’t saved you, your messages won’t reach them.
Creating a Broadcast List on Android
Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots in the top-right corner. Select “New broadcast” from the menu.
You’ll see your contact list. Select up to 256 contacts you want to add. Tap the green checkmark when you’re done.
Your broadcast list is now created. Give it a name by tapping on “Broadcast List” at the top, then tap the edit icon. This helps you identify different lists if you create multiple ones.
Creating a Broadcast List on iPhone
Launch WhatsApp and go to the “Chats” tab. Tap “Broadcast Lists” in the top-left corner.
Hit “New List” at the bottom of your screen. Choose the contacts you want to include from your list.
Tap “Create” in the top-right corner. Your broadcast list is ready to use.
To rename it later, swipe left on the broadcast list name, tap “More,” then “Edit Broadcast List” and change the name.
How to Send Messages Through Your Broadcast List
Find your broadcast list in your chats. On Android, it appears like any other chat. On iPhone, access it through “Broadcast Lists.”
Tap to open it and type your message. You can send text, photos, videos, documents, voice messages, or even your location.
Each recipient receives your message as if you sent it directly to them. When they reply, only you see their response in a separate individual chat.
Managing Your Broadcast Lists
You can edit your broadcast list anytime. Open the broadcast list chat and tap the list name at the top.
To add more contacts, tap “Edit” (iPhone) or the edit icon (Android), then select additional contacts. You can also remove contacts from this screen by deselecting them.
Delete contacts who haven’t saved your number if they’re not receiving messages. This keeps your list clean and effective.
Why Broadcast Messages Aren’t Delivering
The most common issue is simple: the recipient hasn’t saved your number. WhatsApp requires mutual contact saving for broadcasts to work.
Check if you’re blocked. If someone blocks you, your broadcast messages won’t reach them either.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection. Both you and your recipients need to be online for messages to deliver.
Verify that the contact’s number is correct and active. If they’ve changed numbers or deactivated WhatsApp, messages won’t go through.
Broadcast Lists vs WhatsApp Groups: Key Differences
In a broadcast list, recipients see the message as coming directly from you. In a group, everyone sees it’s a group message.
Replies to broadcasts are private between you and each person. Group replies are visible to everyone.
Group members can see who else is in the group and read all messages. Broadcast recipients have no idea who else received your message.
You can add up to 256 contacts to a broadcast list. WhatsApp groups support up to 1024 members.
Best Practices for Using Broadcast Lists
Only send relevant content to your broadcast lists. Spamming people leads to blocks and removes them from your audience.
Segment your lists based on interests or relationships. Create separate lists for family updates, work announcements, or customer communications.
Keep messages concise and valuable. People receive lots of messages daily, so respect their time.
Send broadcasts during appropriate hours. Late-night messages annoy people and hurt your relationships.
Test your broadcast with a small group first if you’re sending something important. This catches errors before they reach everyone.
Using Broadcast Lists for Business
If you’re running a business, broadcast lists work great for customer updates, special offers, and announcements. They feel more personal than mass emails.
Always get permission before adding customers to your broadcast list. Unsolicited messages damage your brand reputation.
Include your business name in your WhatsApp profile so recipients recognize you immediately.
Consider using WhatsApp Business app instead of regular WhatsApp. It offers additional features like automated messages, quick replies, and product catalogs.
Track which messages get responses. This helps you understand what content resonates with your audience.
Troubleshooting Common Broadcast Issues
If your broadcast list disappeared, check your archived chats. Swipe down on your chat screen and see if it’s there.
Messages showing one checkmark mean they’re sent but not delivered. This usually indicates the recipient hasn’t saved your number or has poor connectivity.
Can’t find the broadcast option? Make sure you’re using the latest WhatsApp version. Update your app through the App Store or Google Play.
Some contacts not receiving messages while others do? Those specific contacts either haven’t saved your number, blocked you, or have WhatsApp privacy settings that block unknown contacts.
Privacy and Etiquette Tips
Never share someone’s personal information through broadcast messages. Each recipient might not want others knowing they’re on your list.
Avoid forwarding chain messages or unverified information. You’re responsible for what you broadcast.
If someone asks to be removed from your list, respect their request immediately. Remove them and delete their number if they’re not a necessary contact.
Don’t use broadcast lists to start arguments or send passive-aggressive messages to multiple people. It’s unprofessional and damages relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can recipients see each other in a broadcast list?
No, recipients cannot see who else received your broadcast message. Each person receives it as an individual message from you.
How many people can I add to a WhatsApp broadcast list?
You can add up to 256 contacts to a single broadcast list. If you need to reach more people, create multiple lists or consider using WhatsApp Business API.
Why do some contacts not receive my broadcast messages?
The most common reason is that those contacts haven’t saved your phone number. WhatsApp only delivers broadcast messages to people who have you in their contact list.
Can I create multiple broadcast lists?
Yes, you can create as many broadcast lists as you need. This helps you organize different groups of contacts for different purposes.
Do broadcast messages use more data than regular messages?
No, broadcast messages use the same amount of data as sending individual messages. WhatsApp just automates the process for you.
Can I schedule broadcast messages on WhatsApp?
Standard WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in scheduling feature. You’ll need third-party tools or WhatsApp Business API for scheduled messages.
What’s the difference between WhatsApp broadcast and status?
Broadcasts send messages directly to specific contacts as individual chats. Status updates are temporary posts that all your contacts can view for 24 hours if they choose to.
Will people know they’re receiving a broadcast message?
Recipients receive broadcasts as regular messages. However, if they open the message info, they might see “Broadcast list” as the sender name if you’ve named your list.
Conclusion
Creating a WhatsApp broadcast list takes less than a minute but saves you hours of copying and pasting the same message. It’s perfect for keeping people informed without the chaos of group chats.
Remember the golden rule: recipients must have your number saved to receive broadcasts. If your messages aren’t reaching someone, that’s usually why.
Use broadcast lists responsibly. Send valuable content, respect people’s time, and never spam. When used right, broadcast lists strengthen your communication and help you stay connected with the people who matter.
Start with one list today. Add your closest contacts and send a quick message. You’ll immediately see how much easier it makes mass communication.