Share image/text through WhatsApp in an iOS app

Question

Is it possible to share images, text or whatever you want through Whatsapp in a iOS app? I'm searching on google but I only found results talking about Android implementations.

Send

Answer 1

No this is not possible, whatsapp does not have any public API you can use.

Please note that this answer is correct for 2011 when there was no API for WhatsApp.

Now there is an api available for interacting with WhatsApp: http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/iphone/23559013

The Objective-C call to open one of these URLs is as follows:

NSURL *whatsappURL = [NSURL URLWithString:@"whatsapp://send?text=Hello%2C%20World!"];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL: whatsappURL]) {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL: whatsappURL];
}

Leah

Is there any character limit? – Externality

Answer 2

Is now possible in this way:

Send Text - Obj-C

NSString * msg = @"YOUR MSG";
NSString * urlWhats = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"whatsapp://send?text=%@",msg];
NSURL * whatsappURL = [NSURL URLWithString:[urlWhats stringByAddingPercentEscapesUsingEncoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding]];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL: whatsappURL]) {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL: whatsappURL];
} else {
    // Cannot open whatsapp
}

Send Text - Swift

let msg = "YOUR MSG"
let urlWhats = "whatsapp://send?text=\(msg)"
if let urlString = urlWhats.stringByAddingPercentEncodingWithAllowedCharacters(NSCharacterSet.URLQueryAllowedCharacterSet()) {
    if let whatsappURL = NSURL(string: urlString) {
        if UIApplication.sharedApplication().canOpenURL(whatsappURL) {
            UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(whatsappURL)
        } else {
            // Cannot open whatsapp
        }
    }
}

Send Image - Obj-C

-- in .h file

<UIDocumentInteractionControllerDelegate>

@property (retain) UIDocumentInteractionController * documentInteractionController;

-- in .m file

if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL: [NSURL URLWithString:@"whatsapp://app"]]){

    UIImage     * iconImage = [UIImage imageNamed:@"YOUR IMAGE"];
    NSString    * savePath  = [NSHomeDirectory() stringByAppendingPathComponent:@"Documents/whatsAppTmp.wai"];

    [UIImageJPEGRepresentation(iconImage, 1.0) writeToFile:savePath atomically:YES];

    _documentInteractionController = [UIDocumentInteractionController interactionControllerWithURL:[NSURL fileURLWithPath:savePath]];
    _documentInteractionController.UTI = @"net.whatsapp.image";
    _documentInteractionController.delegate = self;

    [_documentInteractionController presentOpenInMenuFromRect:CGRectMake(0, 0, 0, 0) inView:self.view animated: YES];


} else {
    UIAlertView * alert = [[UIAlertView alloc] initWithTitle:@"WhatsApp not installed." message:@"Your device has no WhatsApp installed." delegate:self cancelButtonTitle:@"OK" otherButtonTitles:nil];
    [alert show];
}

Send Image - Swift

let urlWhats = "whatsapp://app"
if let urlString = urlWhats.stringByAddingPercentEncodingWithAllowedCharacters(NSCharacterSet.URLQueryAllowedCharacterSet()) {
    if let whatsappURL = NSURL(string: urlString) {

        if UIApplication.sharedApplication().canOpenURL(whatsappURL) {

            if let image = UIImage(named: "image") {
                if let imageData = UIImageJPEGRepresentation(image, 1.0) {
                    let tempFile = NSURL(fileURLWithPath: NSHomeDirectory()).URLByAppendingPathComponent("Documents/whatsAppTmp.wai")
                    do {
                        try imageData.writeToURL(tempFile, options: .DataWritingAtomic)
                        self.documentInteractionController = UIDocumentInteractionController(URL: tempFile)
                        self.documentInteractionController.UTI = "net.whatsapp.image"
                        self.documentInteractionController.presentOpenInMenuFromRect(CGRectZero, inView: self.view, animated: true)
                    } catch {
                        print(error)
                    }
                }
            }

        } else {
            // Cannot open whatsapp
        }
    }
}

Because a new security feature of iOS 9, you need add this lines on .plist file:

<key>LSApplicationQueriesSchemes</key>
 <array>
  <string>whatsapp</string>
 </array>

More information about url sheme: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2015-703/

I did not find a single solution for both. More information on http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/iphone/23559013

I made a small project to help some. https://github.com/salesawagner/SharingWhatsApp

Frumenty

can text be sent to specific number via whatsapp? means no need to pick contact from whats app contact list ? – Jolley

You need to have "ID Address Book" to associate with a contact, simply add the parameter "abid = <ID-ADDRESS-BOOK>". I do not know to send directly to the phone number, but I'm looking for a solution. The link has a better explanation. whatsapp.com/faq/en/iphone/23559013 – Frumenty

The whole "if ([self.delegate respondsToSelector:@selector(imageCompartilhar)]) {" seems to be redundant. Other than this it works, – Bizerte

@vaiden, you're right about the "if ([self.delegate respondsToSelector: @ selector (imageCompartilhar)]) {" I put because I get the image of my delegate. something like "UIImage * iconImage = [_delegate imageCompartilhar];" – Frumenty

Answer 3

It is now possible. Have not tried yet though.

The latest release notes for whatsapp indicate that you can through the share extension:

WhatsApp accepts the following types of content:

• text (UTI: public.plain-text)
• photos (UTI: public.image)
• videos (UTI: public.movie)
• audio notes and music files (UTI: public.audio)
• PDF documents (UTI: com.adobe.pdf)
• contact cards (UTI: public.vcard)
• web URLs (UTI: public.url)

Elmiraelmo

The above link does not allow for sharing of media to Whatsapp without displaying the menu. You must always show the document controller's menu before going to Whatsapp, which is a pain in the ass. – Frodin

PDF documents (UTI: com.adobe.pdf) -> has problems while sharing. If I create pdf on the code, store it on documentdirectory and try to share it on whatsapp, it fails. I think whatsapp wants a pdf file that has a type of Adobe pdf i.e. has UTI com.adobe.pdf only – Memorabilia

Answer 4

This is the correct code for share link to whats app users.

NSString * url = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"http://video...bla..bla.."];
url =    (NSString*)CFBridgingRelease(CFURLCreateStringByAddingPercentEscapes(NULL,(CFStringRef) url, NULL,CFSTR("!*'();:@&=+$,/?%#[]"),kCFStringEncodingUTF8));

  NSString * urlWhats = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"whatsapp://send?text=%@",url];
NSURL * whatsappURL = [NSURL URLWithString:urlWhats];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL: whatsappURL]) {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL: whatsappURL];
} else {
    // can not share with whats app
}

Henigman

Answer 5

Simple code and Sample code ;-)

Note:- You can only share text or image, both sharing together in whatsApp is not working from whatsApp side

 /*
    //Share text
    NSString *textToShare = @"Enter your text to be shared";
    NSArray *objectsToShare = @[textToShare];
    
    UIActivityViewController *activityVC = [[UIActivityViewController alloc] initWithActivityItems:objectsToShare applicationActivities:nil];
    [self presentViewController:activityVC animated:YES completion:nil];
     */
    
    //Share Image
    UIImage * image = [UIImage imageNamed:@"images"];
    NSArray *objectsToShare = @[image];
    
    UIActivityViewController *activityVC = [[UIActivityViewController alloc] initWithActivityItems:objectsToShare applicationActivities:nil];
    [self presentViewController:activityVC animated:YES completion:nil];

Orlov

Answer 6

For Swift 4 - Works fine

delclare

var documentInteractionController:UIDocumentInteractionController!

func sharePicture() {
    let urlWhats = "whatsapp://app"
    if let urlString = urlWhats.addingPercentEncoding(withAllowedCharacters: NSCharacterSet.urlQueryAllowed) {
        if let whatsappURL = NSURL(string: urlString) {

            if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(whatsappURL as URL) {

                let imgURL = FileManager.default.urls(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first!
                let fileName = "yourImageName.jpg"
                let fileURL = imgURL.appendingPathComponent(fileName)
                if let image = UIImage(contentsOfFile: fileURL.path) {
                    if let imageData = image.jpegData(compressionQuality: 0.75) {
                        let tempFile = NSURL(fileURLWithPath: NSHomeDirectory()).appendingPathComponent("Documents/yourImageName.jpg")
                        do {
                            try imageData.write(to: tempFile!, options: .atomicWrite)
                            self.documentInteractionController = UIDocumentInteractionController(url: tempFile!)
                            self.documentInteractionController.uti = "net.whatsapp.image"
                            self.documentInteractionController.presentOpenInMenu(from: CGRect.zero, in: self.view, animated: true)
                        } catch {
                            print(error)
                        }
                    }
                }
            } else {
                // Cannot open whatsapp
            }
        }
    }
}

Do not forget to edit the .plist with the following lines

<key>LSApplicationQueriesSchemes</key>
 <array>
  <string>whatsapp</string>
 </array>

Enjoy!!!

Chen

This doesn't open whatsapp directly, this opens the document interaction view. Any way to open directly whatsapp? – Krueger

Answer 7

Swift 3 version of Wagner Sales' answer:

let urlWhats = "whatsapp://app"
if let urlString = urlWhats.addingPercentEncoding(withAllowedCharacters: CharacterSet.urlQueryAllowed) {
  if let whatsappURL = URL(string: urlString) {
    if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(whatsappURL) {

      if let image = UIImage(named: "image") {
        if let imageData = UIImageJPEGRepresentation(image, 1.0) {
          let tempFile = NSURL(fileURLWithPath: NSHomeDirectory()).appendingPathComponent("Documents/whatsAppTmp.wai")
          do {
            try imageData.write(to: tempFile!, options: .atomic)

            self.documentIC = UIDocumentInteractionController(url: tempFile!)
            self.documentIC.uti = "net.whatsapp.image"
            self.documentIC.presentOpenInMenu(from: CGRect.zero, in: self.view, animated: true)
          }
          catch {
            print(error)
          }
        }
      }

    } else {
      // Cannot open whatsapp
    }
  }
}

Deboer

Answer 8

Swift 4

let urlWhats = "whatsapp://app"
        if let urlString = urlWhats.addingPercentEncoding(withAllowedCharacters: CharacterSet.urlHostAllowed) {

            if let whatsappURL = URL(string: urlString) {

                if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(whatsappURL) {

                        if let imageData = UIImageJPEGRepresentation(image, 1.0) {
                            let tempFile = NSURL(fileURLWithPath: NSHomeDirectory()).appendingPathComponent("Documents/whatsAppTmp.wai")!
                            do {
                                try imageData.write(to: tempFile, options: .atomic)
                                self.documentController = UIDocumentInteractionController(url: tempFile)
                                self.documentController.uti = "net.whatsapp.image"
                                self.documentController.presentOpenInMenu(from: CGRect.zero, in: self.view, animated: true)
                            } catch {
                                print(error)
                            }
                        }

                } else {
                    let ac = UIAlertController(title: "MessageAletTitleText".localized, message: "AppNotFoundToShare".localized, preferredStyle: .alert)
                    ac.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: "OKButtonText".localized, style: .default))
                    present(ac, animated: true)

                    print("Whatsapp isn't installed ")

                    // Cannot open whatsapp
                }
            }
        }

Warton

Answer 9

WhatsApp provides two ways for your iPhone app to interact with WhatsApp:

• Through a custom URL scheme
• Through the iOS Document Interaction API

For more information Visit this link

Thanks.

Guanaco

Answer 10

Yes it's possible :

NSMutableArray *arr = [[NSMutableArray alloc]init];
    NSURL *URL = [NSURL fileURLWithPath:path];
    NSString *textToShare = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%@ \n",_model.title];
    NSString *SchoolName= [[AppUtility sharedUtilityInstance]getAppConfigInfoByKey:@"SchoolName" SecondKeyorNil:Nil];
    [arr addObject:textToShare];
    [arr addObject:URL];
    [arr addObject:_model.body];
    [arr addObject:SchoolName];
    TTOpenInAppActivity *openInAppActivity = [[TTOpenInAppActivity alloc] initWithView:_parentController.view andRect:((UIButton *)sender).frame];

    UIActivityViewController *activityViewController = [[UIActivityViewController alloc] initWithActivityItems:arr applicationActivities:@[openInAppActivity]];

    // Store reference to superview (UIActionSheet) to allow dismissal
    openInAppActivity.superViewController = activityViewController;
    // Show UIActivityViewController
    [_parentController presentViewController:activityViewController animated:YES completion:NULL];

Electrotechnics

Answer 11

Swift 3 version for sending text:

func shareByWhatsapp(msg:String){
        let urlWhats = "whatsapp://send?text=\(msg)"
        if let urlString = urlWhats.addingPercentEncoding(withAllowedCharacters: .urlQueryAllowed) {
            if let whatsappURL = NSURL(string: urlString) {
                if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(whatsappURL as URL) {
                    UIApplication.shared.openURL(whatsappURL as URL)
                } else {

                    let alert = UIAlertController(title: NSLocalizedString("Whatsapp not found", comment: "Error message"),
                                                  message: NSLocalizedString("Could not found a installed app 'Whatsapp' to proceed with sharing.", comment: "Error description"),
                                                  preferredStyle: UIAlertControllerStyle.alert)

                    alert.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: NSLocalizedString("Ok", comment: "Alert button"), style: UIAlertActionStyle.default, handler:{ (UIAlertAction)in
                    }))

                    self.present(alert, animated: true, completion:nil)
                    // Cannot open whatsapp
                }
            }
        }
}

Also, you need to add whatsapp to LSApplicationQueriesSchemes in your Info.plist

Lictor

Answer 12

NSString *shareText = @"http:www.google.com";
NSArray *objectsToShare = @[shareText];

UIActivityViewController *activityVC = [[UIActivityViewController alloc] initWithActivityItems:objectsToShare applicationActivities:nil];

if (isIphone)
{
    [self presentViewController:activityVC animated:YES completion:nil];
}
else {
    UIPopoverController *popup = [[UIPopoverController alloc]         initWithContentViewController:activityVC];
    [popup presentPopoverFromRect:CGRectMake(self.view.frame.size.width/2, self.view.frame.size.height/4, 0, 0)inView:self.view permittedArrowDirections:UIPopoverArrowDirectionAny animated:YES];
}

Cherie

You need to add some explanation. Why do you think this code works? How is it different from earlier answers? – Maegan