Public Service Information: how to WhatsApp without giving it access to contacts on iOS.

In theory you cannot use WhatsApp without giving it access to contacts: when you install it says "no contacts, no WA".

In practice you can.

*Before* you install WhatsApp move all contacts.

to iCloud.

Then disconnect your phone from iCloud. This removes all contacts on the phone (say "no" when asked if you want to keep a local copy).

Install WhatsApp and give it access to contacts (i.e. none).

Quit WhatsApp and in Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions...

go to "Contacts". Disallow access to WhatsApp *and* set "Don't Allow Changes" so you cannot make the mistake when repeatedly prompted by WhatsApp.

Re-connect your phone to iCloud and regain your contacts.

WhatsApp is blind.

Downside: everything is a number :)

Note that you can uninstall and re-install WhatsApp to remove current access and, hopefully, memory of it with the added benefit of wiping all those useless multi-forwarded daft videos and memes :)

Also, if you want an alternative where you don't need to use your phone number as your identifier then @Wire uses the same protocol as Signal/WhatsApp and allows you to identify yourself with an email address.

Just get yourself a throwaway email address.