> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/whiskeysockets/Baileys/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# User Queries

> Query user information including existence checks, status, profile pictures, and business profiles using Baileys

## Check If ID Exists on WhatsApp

Verify if a phone number or JID is registered on WhatsApp:

```ts theme={null}
const [result] = await sock.onWhatsApp(jid)
if (result.exists) {
    console.log(`${jid} exists on WhatsApp, as jid: ${result.jid}`)
}
```

<Tip>
  This is useful for validating phone numbers before attempting to send messages.
</Tip>

## Query Chat History

Fetch older messages from a chat (works for both individual and group chats):

```ts theme={null}
// You need to have the oldest message in chat
const msg = await getOldestMessageInChat(jid) // implement this on your end
await sock.fetchMessageHistory(
    50, // quantity (max: 50 per query)
    msg.key,
    msg.messageTimestamp
)
```

<Note>
  Messages will be received in the `messaging.history-set` event. The maximum number of messages per query is 50.
</Note>

## Fetch Status

Get a user's WhatsApp status/about text:

```ts theme={null}
const status = await sock.fetchStatus(jid)
console.log('status: ' + status)
```

## Fetch Profile Picture

Get the display picture of a person or group in different resolutions:

### Low Resolution Picture

```ts theme={null}
// for low res picture
const ppUrl = await sock.profilePictureUrl(jid)
console.log(ppUrl)
```

### High Resolution Picture

```ts theme={null}
// for high res picture
const ppUrl = await sock.profilePictureUrl(jid, 'image')
console.log(ppUrl)
```

<Info>
  The function accepts `'preview'` for low resolution (default) or `'image'` for high resolution profile pictures.
</Info>

### Function Signature

From `src/Socket/chats.ts:639-660`:

```ts theme={null}
const profilePictureUrl = async (
    jid: string, 
    type: 'preview' | 'image' = 'preview', 
    timeoutMs?: number
) => {
    // Returns the URL string or undefined if no picture
}
```

## Fetch Business Profile

Get detailed information about a business account:

```ts theme={null}
const profile = await sock.getBusinessProfile(jid)
console.log('business description: ' + profile.description + ', category: ' + profile.category)
```

### Business Profile Structure

The returned object contains:

```ts theme={null}
interface WABusinessProfile {
    wid?: string                    // Business WhatsApp ID
    address?: string                // Business address
    description: string             // Business description
    website?: string[]              // Website URLs
    email?: string                  // Business email
    category?: string               // Business category
    business_hours?: {              // Operating hours
        timezone?: string
        business_config?: WABusinessHoursConfig[]
    }
}
```

### Example Response

```ts theme={null}
{
    wid: '1234567890@s.whatsapp.net',
    description: 'Premium coffee shop',
    category: 'Food & Beverage',
    website: ['https://example.com'],
    email: 'contact@example.com',
    address: '123 Main St, City',
    business_hours: {
        timezone: 'America/New_York',
        business_config: [...]
    }
}
```

## Fetch Presence Status

Monitor if someone is typing or online:

```ts theme={null}
// The presence update is fetched and called here
sock.ev.on('presence.update', console.log)

// Request updates for a chat
await sock.presenceSubscribe(jid)
```

<Note>
  See the [Presence Updates](/chats/presence) page for detailed information about presence handling.
</Note>

## Implementation References

* `onWhatsApp` - Uses USync protocol for number validation
* `fetchStatus` - `src/Socket/chats.ts:246-257`
* `profilePictureUrl` - `src/Socket/chats.ts:639-660`
* `getBusinessProfile` - `src/Socket/chats.ts:393-441`
* `fetchMessageHistory` - Implemented in messages socket
* `presenceSubscribe` - `src/Socket/chats.ts:730-742`