Sooner or later, a match will suggest moving the conversation to WhatsApp or text. It’s a normal part of modern dating, but timing matters. Move too soon and you lose the app’s protections. Wait a little, and you’ll know whether the person is genuine.
The short answer
- A good rule of thumb: stay on the app until you've had a video call, or are about to meet.
- Dating apps have safety checks and reporting tools that WhatsApp doesn't.
- Being asked to move to WhatsApp very early is a common first step in romance scams.
- Before sharing your number, check your WhatsApp privacy settings.
- A genuine match will be happy to wait.
Why not move straight away?
- The app protects you. Dating apps can spot and remove fake profiles, and you can report or unmatch someone instantly.
- Your number reveals more. Sharing it can give access to your WhatsApp photo, and sometimes other information online.
- It’s harder to walk away. On an app you can simply unmatch. With your number, you’d have to block them.
The best time to move
For most people, a sensible point is:
- after a successful video call, when you know they’re who they say they are, or
- just before your first date, so you can share arrangements.
If you’ve chatted for a week or two, had a video call, and feel comfortable, moving to WhatsApp is a perfectly normal step.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if someone:
- asks to move to WhatsApp in their first few messages
- says they’re “hardly ever on the app” or “about to delete it”
- pushes again after you’ve said you’d rather wait
- won’t video call but wants your number
- says they work overseas or travel constantly
These are common patterns in romance scams. See how to spot a romance scam on WhatsApp.
How to say “not yet” politely
You don’t need to explain yourself at length. Try:
- “I’d like to keep chatting on here until we’ve had a video call. Hope that’s OK!”
- “I’m enjoying our chats. Shall we do a quick video call first, and swap numbers after?”
- “I usually keep things on the app until I meet someone, just to be safe.”
Anyone genuine will understand. Anyone who gets annoyed has told you something useful.
Before you share your number
Take a minute to check your WhatsApp privacy settings (Settings > Privacy). You can limit who sees your profile photo, About and last seen, and turn on “Silence unknown callers”. Our guide to giving your phone number before a first date has more tips.
Once you’ve moved
- Keep the same caution you would on the app.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met.
- Aim to meet in person reasonably soon. See how long to message before meeting.