How to use WhatsApp: A step-by-step beginner's guide

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

WhatsApp boasts more than 2 billion users worldwide, but if you don’t live in one of the countries where it’s popular, you may have never used it. Its $16 billion purchase by Facebook in 2014 turned some heads (and raised some privacy concerns), but it still offers many advantages over its competitors. If those two reasons aren’t enough to convince you to learn how to use WhatsApp today, perhaps the fact that it’s completely free of charge will seal the deal.

Read also: 21 essential WhatsApp tricks and tips you should know

If you’re new to the party, the world’s most popular chat app can be a bit overwhelming. To help you get started, we put together this beginner’s guide on using WhatsApp, from installing the app to chatting with friends and family in groups.

What is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is a free chat app that launched at the dawn of the smartphone era in 2009. It wasn’t until 2015 that it became the most popular communication app worldwide, but nowadays, it’s virtually ubiquitous in most of Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Read also: WhatsApp not working? Here are 5 easy fixes to try

The popularity of WhatsApp is because it’s free, it doesn’t have ads, and of course, it has a huge existing user base. It also features end-to-end encryption, so your messages are private and secure. However, security policy changes in early 2021 mean the app can share some of your data with Facebook. Learn more about that issue in our WhatsApp privacy explainer.

Is WhatsApp safe and secure?

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

With every message and call end-to-end encrypted by default, WhatsApp is quite secure for virtually all uses. This level of encryption means that not even WhatsApp (or its parent company Facebook) can see the content of your messages, despite what you might hear online.

Still, you should be wary of phishing attempts. Never give your personal information to someone you don’t know, and don’t be afraid to block or report users you think are trying to scam you. WhatsApp also supports two-step verification in the form of a six-digit PIN.

Read also: How to backup WhatsApp: never lose a message again

When it comes to privacy, things are more complicated. An early 2021 privacy policy update stated that WhatsApp might share some of your data with Facebook. This will include your telephone number, location, product interactions, etc. Presumably, this is to improve ad targeting in other Facebook products.

This update was the subject of much debate among users but ultimately rolled out on May 15, 2021. Later in 2021, it was revealed that although WhatsApp cannot see your messages, the company regularly uses contractors to do so as part of a content reviewal system. This is limited to extreme cases of child abuse material or terrorism, but it does fly in the face of WhatsApp’s marketing material.

In other words, if you are concerned with your privacy and don’t want Facebook to access some of your data, WhatsApp might not be for you. Other apps like Telegram and Signal offer better security but don’t boast nearly the same number of users.

How to install WhatsApp

The first step in learning how to use WhatsApp is installing the app, and you can do it in just a few minutes. The app is completely free and only requires a phone number and a mobile device to sign up.

• Install the app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone).
• Launch the app and approve the requested permissions.
• Enter your phone number and tap Confirm.
• Enter the verification code received via SMS (WhatsApp may do this automatically).
• Import existing contacts into the app (optional).

That’s all there is to it. You’re now ready to start chatting with any of your contacts that have WhatsApp installed. You can also manually add contacts to WhatsApp if you don’t want to import your entire contact list.

How to set up your WhatsApp profile

Before you start chatting, there is one more step you may want to take. Creating a profile will help your contacts know who you are, even if they don’t have your number saved in their contacts. You can add a picture, name, and a short bio.

• Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the app and tap Settings.
• Tap your name at the top of the screen.
• To change your picture, tap the camera icon and select a photo.
• To change your name, tap the pencil icon next to Name.
• Enter or adjust your bio by tapping the pencil icon next to About.

You can also change your phone number from this screen, and the process is the same as when you first set up your account. It will send a verification code via SMS, and once confirmed, WhatsApp will transfer all of your chats and contacts to that number.

How to start a chat on WhatsApp

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Now that your profile is set, it’s time to get to the task at hand: chatting! The first time you open the app, you won’t have any chats open, but you can start a new conversation by tapping on the chat bubble in the bottom right.

Select the contact you want to chat with from the list. If you already have a previous chat with that contact, it will open that instead of a brand new chat. All that’s left is to type your message at the bottom of the screen. After entering your text, tap the arrow icon alongside the text box to send it.

You can also send pictures or files on WhatsApp by tapping the + icon next to the chatbox. WhatsApp has a built-in camera app, but it’s better to use your normal camera app to take the picture and select it in the gallery to send. This will give you more editing options and generally results in higher-quality photos.

You can also send pictures or files on WhatsApp by tapping the paperclip or camera icon.

To start a group chat, tap the same chat bubble as before, then tap New Group. You can then select the members you want to invite, enter a name for the group, and start chatting.

There are many additional features available, so check out our list of WhatsApp tips and tricks for more information.

How to use gifs on WhatsApp

Sending gifs on WhatsApp should be a simple task, but the exact steps are far from obvious. To make matters worse, they differ between iPhones and Android phones.

To send a gif on Android, you first need to open a chat and tap on the smiley face next to the text box. Then, tap the gif text at the bottom of the screen to see a selection of the current most popular gifs. To search for more gifs, tap the magnifying glass at the bottom left and enter your keywords. Once you’ve found and selected your gif, all that’s left is to press send.

It’s worth noting that the process may be easier depending on which brand of phone you have or if you have a different keyboard installed. Often you can tap the gif text above the keyboard instead of the complicated process above.

Read also: 10 best gif creator and editor apps for Android

Mark O'Neill / Android Authority

To send a gif on an iPhone, open a chat and tap the plus icon in the bottom left. Then, select Photo and Video Library from the menu and tap the magnifying glass icon in the bottom left to search. Once selected, tap send.

Mark O'Neill / Android Authority

How to call using WhatsApp

One of the most useful features when using WhatsApp internationally is the ability to make phone calls. Unlike standard international voice calls, WhatsApp calls use your internet connection rather than your phone line, so they’re completely free (barring any data overage charges when not on Wi-Fi).

To start a phone call on WhatsApp, all you need to do is open a chat window and tap the phone icon in the top right. If it’s a group, you can even select multiple people to call simultaneously.

The steps for making a video call on WhatsApp are virtually identical. Just tap the video camera icon next to the phone icon. It’s a great alternative to FaceTime, especially for Android users.

How to use WhatsApp on your computer

If you prefer typing on a keyboard (or don’t like looking at your phone all day), you can also use WhatsApp from a computer. You’ll need to keep your phone nearby, but it can be a convenient way to chat or send files from your PC or Mac.

• On your computer browser, navigate to web.whatsapp.com.
• Open WhatsApp on your phone, tap the three dots in the top right, then WhatsApp Web.
• Tap the plus icon at the top right.
• Point your phone camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
• WhatsApp should instantly log in on your computer.

If you don’t want to use a browser, you can also install the WhatsApp PC client directly on your computer. If you think someone is using WhatsApp Web without your permission, you can remove access from your phone by following the first two steps above.

How to use WhatsApp on an iPad or Android tablet

With iPadOS adding lots of new features every year that make it more and more like a computer, it might come as a surprise to learn that using WhatsApp on your iPad is quite difficult. You can install the app directly, but you have to remove it from your phone, which obviously isn’t ideal.

Read also: Apple iPad at 10: A decade of tablets

To use WhatsApp on your iPad, you need to use the web portal outlined above. Even then, there’s an extra step involved due to accessing the site from a mobile browser.

The trick here is to request the desktop version of web.whatsapp.com. This will tell WhatsApp that you’re using a computer instead of a mobile device and allow you to connect your phone with the same steps above. How exactly you request the desktop version will depend on which browser you’re using, but we’ve outlined the steps for Safari below.

• Open the Safari browser and navigate to web.whatsapp.com.
• Tap the three dots next to the URL field, then tap Request Desktop Site.
• Open WhatsApp on your phone, tap Settings in the top right, then WhatsApp Web.
• Tap the plus icon at the top right.
• Point your phone camera at the QR code on your iPad screen.
• WhatsApp should instantly log in on your iPad.

Note that this trick works with Android tablets and iPads of all sizes, and they can be paired with both Android phones and iPhones in any combination.

Android users who are signed up for the beta program can also now use a test version of WhatsApp for Android tablets. If you are not in the beta program, you can get the APK file from a third-party source. There’s no word yet on when the tablet version will be rolled out for the iPad.

Other WhatsApp FAQs

Both calls and video calls are free, but will use data if not connected to Wi-Fi. Be careful not to exceed your mobile data limits, especially with video calls.

WhatsApp Plus is an application developed using stolen code from the official WhatsApp app. It enables a few extra features, but needs to be downloaded and sideloaded to work. It is unsafe to use and may lead to your WhatsApp account being banned, or worse, your information being stolen.

Yes, WhatsApp was purchased by Facebook in February of 2014.

While some could consider it a social media app, it’s generally considered an instant messaging or communication app. As more business features are added, it may tip further into social media territory.

Yes. Both calls and messages are encrypted end-to-end, so in most conditions, neither law enforcement nor WhatsApp itself can see them unless they have access to your device.

Your WhatsApp status is pretty much the same as your Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat story: a way to share a slice of your life with your contacts. You can learn more about WhatsApp statuses here.

How to use WhatsApp on your phone: installation and setup How to use WhatsApp on your phone: installation and setup

01/13/2020

Author: lembos

WhatsApp or "vatsap" is an application for instant text messaging with support for voice and video communication over the Internet.

Messenger is distributed free of charge and is available for mobile devices based on Android, iOS and Windows Phone. nine0003

Content

• 1 How to install WhatsApp on the phone with Android
  • 1.1 via Play Market
  • 1.2 through the official website
  • 2 Settings WhatsApp
    9001
    • 2.5 Data and storage

  How to install WhatsApp on Android phone

  WhatsApp is supported by all 9 based mobile devices0039 Android version 2. 3.3 and above. You can download the application through Play Store or the official website of the developer. Below we will consider them in more detail, and then we will tell you how to set up WhatsApp.

  Through the Play Store

  Before installing WhatsApp on your phone, make sure that the device is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi . Then follow these steps:

  Step 1. Open the menu and select the app "Play Store" .

  Step 2. In the search bar, enter "WhatsApp" and click on the first application from the list of suggestions.

  Step 3. The mobile application page will open. Click on the button "Install" and give WhatsApp all the necessary permissions to start the download.

  Wait until the end and installation and click on the button "Open" to start the messenger. Or use the shortcut on the screen or in the main menu. nine0003

  Please note : You can also use WhatsApp from a computer, through the web version of the application. But for this you still need to install the messenger on your phone.

  Through the official site

  If for some reason you do not have access to Play Store , then you can download the application through the official site. To do this:

  Step 1. Open any browser on your computer and go to the official website of the application. nine0003

  Step 2. In the header of the site, find and select "Download" . The page will refresh.

  Step 3. On the left side of the screen, select the desired platform.

  Step 4. On the page that opens, click the green button "Download now" to download the latest version of the Android app.

  Step 5. Connect your mobile device to your computer via USB and copy the downloaded .apk file.

  Step 6. Open the File Explorer app on your tablet or smartphone and run WhatsApp.apk to start installing the messenger. Wait for it to finish.

  Step 7. If you are unable to start the installation, please allow the installation of applications from unknown sources. To do this, go to menu "Settings" - "Security" .

  Application installed. You can start the messenger right away, through a shortcut for quick access on the main screen or menu. nine0003

  WhatsApp setup

  If you are launching the application for the first time, you will be prompted to create a new account. To do this, enter your mobile number and confirm registration using SMS code. After that, enter a name and select a profile photo - this data will be visible to the interlocutors. If you have previously used the messenger on another device, you can restore the call log and chat history.

  Please note : You can also put WhatsApp on Wi-Fi device (without SIM card), but for this you will need to use an additional phone or tablet with the ability to receive SMS messages or calls during the account verification process.

  Contacts

  WhatsApp automatically syncs your phone book data, so the list of available chats will immediately appear on the screen. Click on the dialogue to start a chat or make a call.

  Notices

  By default, WhatsApp plays the sounds of incoming and outgoing messages, calls. The settings can be changed via menu "Settings" - "Notifications" . Here you can enable or disable vibration, pop-up notifications, select a ringtone.

  Chats

  In the menu "Chats" you can change the font size, select wallpapers (gallery photo, solid color, standard, library WhatsApp ), configure backup settings. If you want to archive or delete all chats, then click on item "History" , and then select the desired option.

  Account

  In menu "Account" you can set up privacy data, visibility of personal data (geodata, status, profile photo, other information). Here you can activate two-step verification and delete your account.

  Data and storage

  To control traffic, you can enable or disable auto-download of media for different types of Internet connection (Wi-Fi, mobile network, roaming). Statistics on network usage (the number of sent and received messages), storage data are also available here. nine0003

  Now you know how to use WhatsApp and what you need to install and set up the application.

  Read also

  How to set up WhatsApp on your phone (WhatsApp on Android, iPhone)

  Content

  • Step 1. Change the photo
  • Step 2. Understand the account settings
  • Work Step 3. Set up chats
  with notifications

  WhatsApp is not in vain considered the most popular application for communication on the phone in Europe and America. It's fast, convenient and secure. In addition, it offers users the opportunity to customize it for themselves. What you need to do to set up WhatsApp on Android and iPhone? How to get the most positive user experience from working with the application? nine0003

  Step 1. Change the photo

  Social networks have taught users to see photos of friends while exchanging messages. Therefore, in Watsap, everyone can put a photo that will help interlocutors quickly find him in the list of friends and bring communication to a more personal level. Or it will simply make the correspondence more fun, for example, if the user puts a picture of a funny lemur instead of his photo.

  To change the photo, you need to open the main menu and go to the settings. On Android, this is done by clicking on the 3-dot button. nine0003

  Then you need to get into the profile. Depending on the device (iPhone or Android phone) and the version of WhatsApp, this will either be a "Profile" submenu or just a username to click on.

  In the profile, you need to click on the button with a camera or a pencil, and then choose among the photos on your phone the one you want to see under your messages.

  Sometimes when selecting a photo, the application asks for access to the gallery or album. There is nothing wrong with that, you can safely give it. nine0003

  Step 2. Understanding the account settings

  The next step is setting up an account. Both on iPhone and Android, you can set convenient privacy and security settings, change your number, or delete your WhatsApp account permanently.

  To set up these things, you need to go back to the main menu and select the "Account" submenu in it.

  Security in the messenger is already set up, the options for deleting an account and changing the number for a new user are not interesting, so go to the "Privacy" submenu. nine0003

  There are 2 blocks in this submenu: data visibility settings and message settings.

  In the first block, the user has the ability to choose who can see his status, profile photo, and the date and time of his last visit to WhatsApp. It is worth noting here that the developers of the messenger are fighting for equality in the exchange of information: by hiding the time of your visit, you will not be able to see the time of visiting other users.

  By clicking on any of the fields in the "Visibility of personal data" group, the user will see options from which he can choose to whom this or that information will be available - to all users, to the contact list or to no one. nine0003

  In the message block, you can enable or disable read receipts and blacklist users.

  To add someone to the black list, you need to click on the "Blocked" field, in the window that opens, click on the person icon with a plus sign and select the "victim" from the list of contacts that opens.

  Step 3. Set up chats

  Another type of settings available for free to WhatsApp users in the main menu is chat settings.

  By going to the "Chats" submenu, the user can configure sending messages by pressing Enter, set the font size, chat background, backup options and work with the message history. nine0003

  In the message history, you can not only delete and archive chats, but also send them by mail to your computer to be sure that important correspondence will not be lost.

  Step 4. Working with notifications

  "Notifications" is the last important submenu of settings for a novice user. The route to it is the same as in the previous submenus: Main menu - Settings - Notifications.

  There are 3 groups of settings here: notifications for chats, groups and calls. For each of these notification groups, you can add and change sounds, turn vibration on and off, and set the color of the indicator light. nine0003

  You can also enable pop-up notifications in WhatsApp. To do this, in the "Chat notifications" group, you need to click on "Pop-up notification".

  And in the window that opens, select the cases that are convenient for you in which pop-up windows will appear - only when the screen is on, only when the screen is off, always or never.

  These are all the basic WhatsApp messenger settings you need to start comfortable communication.

  ---

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