The quickest way to send a WhatsApp message to all contacts is a broadcast list. It lets you reach up to 256 recipients at once, and each of them receives the message as a one-to-one chat.
For private group updates, broadcast lists are all you need. Businesses reach every contact with an opt-in through the WhatsApp Business API, which is charged per delivered message.
In this guide you will learn how both work, which limits apply in 2026 and how to send the same message to several groups.
Can you send a WhatsApp message to multiple recipients?
Yes, a broadcast list lets you send a message to up to 256 recipients at once, without creating a group. Each recipient gets the message as a one-to-one chat and cannot see the other recipients. There is one important condition: the message only reaches contacts who have saved your number in their address book.
For smaller rounds there are two other options. You can forward a message to up to five chats at once, which according to WhatsApp applies to all current app versions. Or you create a group if everyone should be able to talk to each other.
What options are there for WhatsApp group messages?
The three options differ mainly in reach and features. WhatsApp offers broadcast lists, the WhatsApp Business app and the WhatsApp Business API for sending messages to several people at once.
Broadcast lists for private messages
WhatsApp broadcast lists are suited to private use. Recipients cannot see each other and only reply to you. Broadcast lists are ideal for keeping friends, family or acquaintances up to date with important news.
WhatsApp Business app for companies
Smaller companies can use the WhatsApp Business app to communicate with their customers. The app offers extra features such as automated messages, quick replies and a business profile. It is free and works well for customer support and simple marketing activities. In some countries it also offers business broadcasts, which reach customers who have not saved your number and are charged per delivered message.
WhatsApp Business API for professional marketing
For larger companies with extensive customer lists, the WhatsApp Business API is the right choice. This interface connects WhatsApp with marketing software such as Chatarmin. It lets you run and automate WhatsApp campaigns at scale. The API offers features such as approved message templates, segments and reporting. Fees apply for its use.
The right option depends on your individual requirements and resources. While broadcast lists and the Business app are enough for simple use cases, the API offers far more for professional WhatsApp marketing.
Send a WhatsApp message to multiple contacts: here's how
A broadcast list lets you send the same message to several contacts without starting a group. This is how you set up the list on Android and iPhone.
Instructions for Android users
To create a new broadcast list on your Android smartphone, tap Chats in WhatsApp, open the menu in the top right corner (three dots) and select "Broadcast lists". Tap the plus icon and choose up to 256 contacts from your phone book. Once you have made your selection, tap the tick to create the list. You can now write your message and send it to all recipients at once. On older Android versions, the menu item is still called "New broadcast".
Instructions for iOS users
On iPhone, tap Settings or your profile picture and then "Broadcast messages". There you create your broadcast list via "New list", select the contacts and tap "Create".
Important: only contacts who have saved your phone number in their address book can receive your broadcast message.
Broadcast list: requirements and limitations
There are a few things to bear in mind when using WhatsApp broadcasts:
- Recipients must have saved your phone number in their contacts to receive your broadcast message.
- A broadcast list holds up to 256 contacts, but you can create as many lists as you like.
- In some countries there is a limit of 35 free broadcast messages per month, which WhatsApp is rolling out gradually.
- Broadcast lists only work in the smartphone app, not on Windows, Mac or the web.
- Replies to your broadcast message reach you as private chats.
- Broadcast recipients cannot see who else received the message.
How do I send the same message to several groups?
The quickest way is the forward feature: write the message in one group and forward it to up to five other chats or groups at once. A broadcast list can only contain individual contacts, not groups.
For regular announcements to many groups, a community is worth setting up. Its announcement group lets you reach all members of the linked groups with a single message. If you only want to send updates and do not want replies in the group, a WhatsApp channel is the better choice.
The WhatsApp Business API: messages to every opt-in contact
For companies with extensive customer lists and higher demands on customer communication, the WhatsApp Business API is the right choice. The API lets you send messages to every contact with an opt-in, without the 256 limit of a broadcast list, and connects directly to professional marketing software. Meta charges fees per delivered message, and the price depends on the recipient's country. You can find the current rates in our article on WhatsApp Business costs.
GDPR-compliant marketing requires verifiable consent from your contacts. Meta also reviews every marketing template before you can send it.
Alternatives to WhatsApp for mass messaging
Besides WhatsApp, other channels work well for sending messages to many recipients. Each of these channels has its own strengths and suits different audiences and purposes.
The classic option is the email newsletter. It reaches customers reliably and lets you share more detailed information. For short, urgent updates, SMS is often the better choice because it suits time-critical messages.
Chatbots and messaging services such as Facebook Messenger, Telegram or Signal offer similar benefits to WhatsApp. There, too, you communicate directly and personally and can use interactive elements such as polls or product suggestions. Depending on your audience and its preferences, these platforms can be a suitable alternative to WhatsApp.
Chatarmin as a central solution
With Chatarmin, you send WhatsApp newsletters via the official Business API and handle replies in a central inbox. With armincx by Chatarmin, you also bring email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and live chat together in an omnichannel inbox, where AI agents answer standard questions automatically. Our chatbot examples show how companies use chatbots in practice.
The right channel depends on your audience, the purpose of the message and the resources available. In practice, most shops combine several channels.
Conclusion
WhatsApp is the most widely used messenger in Germany. You can find current user numbers in our WhatsApp statistics. For bulk messages to customers the channel is strong: according to our open rate benchmark, a good open rate is 72% as the median per brand.
While broadcast lists are enough for private use, they quickly hit their limits in a business context. The WhatsApp Business app offers extra features for smaller companies, while the API enables campaigns to every opt-in contact with segments and automation. WhatsApp channels send updates to an unlimited number of followers, although people have to join the channel actively.
For professional WhatsApp marketing, WhatsApp newsletters via the API are the best choice. They give you targeting and personalisation options, automation and a clean opt-in basis. The WhatsApp newsletter feature shows how to put this into practice with Chatarmin.
Frequently asked questions about sending a WhatsApp message to all contacts
Can you send a message to all contacts at once on WhatsApp?
It depends. A broadcast list reaches up to 256 contacts at once, and for more contacts you create several lists.
How do I send a WhatsApp message to several people without a group?
Create a broadcast list and select the people. Everyone receives the message individually and only replies to you.
Does this also work on iPhone?
Yes. You will find the feature under Settings > Broadcast messages > New list.
Why does my message not reach some recipients?
Usually these recipients have not saved your number. Ask them to add you as a contact.
Can I send the same message to several contacts from my PC?
No, not via a broadcast list. On a PC you can only forward a message to up to five chats at once.
