How to use messenger for whatsapp

How to Use WhatsApp: The World's Biggest Chat App Explained

With more than two and a half billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is one of the most successful apps ever made and the premier method of communication across borders. WhatsApp offers VOIP calls, video calling, and free messaging. Any international friend or family member can simply say “WhatsApp me” — and we know that when a company becomes a verb, it has truly entered the zeitgeist.

Contents

• What’s new with WhatsApp?
• Downloading and installing the app
• Setting up your account
• Adjusting your settings
• Changing your phone number
• Determining privacy levels
• Adding new contacts
• Start chatting
• Forming a group
• Using broadcast lists
• Backing up your chats
• Updating your status
• Syncing with Mac or Windows
• Changing your wallpaper
• Bottom line

Want to get in on the WhatsApp craze? We put together this quick guide to get you started using WhatsApp messenger on iOS, Android, or desktop in a few easy steps.

What’s new with WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is updated often with new features and enhancements. For those using iOS 14, WhatsApp contacts now appear as suggestions in the share sheet as you share content from other apps. New search options let you filter by author and content type, so you can easily find specific chats or images you’re looking for. The app also instituted new privacy settings that allow you to control who can add you to groups, and admins can send you a private invite. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Groups to get started.

WhatsApp added call-waiting support, so you can accept incoming WhatsApp calls while on another call. You can now send messages from the Braille keyboard when using VoiceOver mode, too. And now, enabling Low Data Mode will disable media auto-download.

Recent WhatsApp updates have included new animated sticker packs, QR code contact scanning, and Dark mode for WhatsApp Web and Desktop. But perhaps the biggest change is that the maximum number of video and voice call participants has doubled from four to eight. In video calls, you can now press and hold to maximize a participant’s video, and the video chat icon is added automatically to group chats of eight people or less, so you can start a video call with one tap.

Downloading and installing the app

WhatsApp is available from all popular app stores for all the major platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Mac and PC. The app is completely free. Just install and launch it as you would any other smartphone app. You will be asked a series of set-up questions, including your phone number and country code, and whether you would like notifications.

If you’ve used WhatsApp before, you may be asked if you want to restore your chat history. This is your only opportunity to do that. If it’s your first time using the app, you can Skip Restore if it comes up. Then enter your name and profile picture and allow WhatsApp to access your contacts.

The app will send you an SMS message to verify your phone number and country code when you type in your phone number. You can re-do the number if you make a mistake.

Setting up your account

• Allow WhatsApp to access your contacts and your photos.
• Tap in your name and add an image as an avatar.
• Once you’re finished punching in your details, you’re ready to chat.

Adjusting your settings

At the bottom right of the screen, you’ll see the Settings tab, which lets you edit your profile in the About section.

Aside from adding an avatar to your name and number, you can also personalize the About description. The default status on your profile is, “Hey there, I am Using WhatsApp” and that can get a little old, especially if most of your contacts didn’t bother to change it either. Don’t be that person. Change your status to anything you want, or even use some of the pre-made statuses if you don’t feel like making up a new one. WhatsApp has plenty of choices including: Available, Busy, At school, At work, In a meeting, Battery about to die, Sleeping, and a bunch more.

• In the Settings pane under Edit Profile, locate the About line and tap.
• You’ll see the Currently Set To status and you can choose from the pre-made ones.
• You can also write an original status if you prefer.
• Your status will only be updated on other people’s phones when they turn on data or Wi-Fi.

Changing your phone number

If you have a new number and need to change it on WhatsApp, it’s easy to do. Just click on the Three Dots at the top right of your WhatsApp screen then select Settings > Account > Change Number. The app notifies you that changing your phone number will migrate your account info, groups, and settings. You’ll still have access to all your old messages. Make sure your new phone is set up and able to receive SMS or calls. If you have both a new phone and a new number, you’ll need to change your number on your old phone first. Tap Next, then enter your old phone number and new number, then tap Next to confirm the change.

Determining privacy levels

WhatsApp gives you a range of choices about who can see you and how much information the app can divulge about your activities. You can set Last Seen, Profile Photo, About, and Status to be seen by everyone, only your contacts, or no one. Last Seen shows when you were last logged into the app. It also indicates your live location, if you have that enabled in your smartphone settings. You can also choose who can see your status updates. Plus, you can use privacy settings to block contacts. A blocked person cannot call or send messages to you — but the app won’t notify them they have been blocked. Instead, they will only see one green check mark to indicate their message has been sent (and not the second check mark to indicate delivery). They also won’t be able to see your Last Seen or Online status or view your profile picture.

The Read Receipts feature, which you can enable via a checkbox, sends notifications when either you or your contacts read a message sent by the other. When off, you will not send or receive receipts, except in group chats.

Adding new contacts

To view contacts in WhatsApp, you don’t have to do much. That’s because all your contacts who use WhatsApp are already known without your having to add them manually. WhatsApp defines contacts by phone number, so anyone in your address book who has their phone number on WhatsApp is immediately revealed when you join. However, you may want to invite contacts who are not already on WhatsApp, as well as people you know who are not currently in your contact list. To add friends to your WhatsApp contacts, do the following:

• Tap the Chats icon at the bottom right.
• Tap New Contact.
• Add the name and phone number of that person.
• You can now also add friends by tapping the QR Code symbol to the right of New Contact and scanning their QR code.
• You can invite a new user by scrolling down to the bottom of the window and tapping Invite Friends to WhatsApp, where you can choose to send an email or text message invite.

If you are adding an international friend, make sure to do the following.

• When adding the contact’s phone number to your address book, start with a plus sign (+).
• Type the country code, a nation-specific numerical prefix, followed by the phone number. Search online to find the proper country code if you don’t know it.
• Remove any leading zeros or calling codes from the actual phone number after entering the country code.

Start chatting

Chatting is the easy part because all you have to do now is select your friend, and start yapping. As you start your chat, you will see an alert telling you that your communication is encrypted so that no one will ever be able to view or listen in on your conversation. Your friend gets a notification on their phone that you’ve sent them a message, and so it goes.

• Select the person you want to chat with.
• Tap the chat box at the bottom of the screen.
• Type in your message and feel free to add emojis, images, videos, or voice messages using the icons to the right of the chatbox. The little square lets you add a sticker. The camera lets you add a photo or video, and the microphone lets you press and hold to immediately record a voice message in the app. You can also format your text with bold, italic, strikethrough, or code.
• Then tap the arrow icon to send.

But what if you want to send a message to more than one person? There are two ways to do that: Form a group or broadcast to a group. Which option you choose depends on how you want to communicate and what response you seek. The difference between group messages and broadcast messages is that with group messages, it can be a free-for-all — everyone can talk to everyone else in a free exchange. With broadcast list messages, it’s more of a top-down communication — you are speaking to a group, but they can reply only individually and privately to you and not to each other.

Forming a group

Group chats let you share messages, photos, and videos with up to 256 people at one time. You can also name your group, mute or customize notifications, and more. A group setting that lets only admins send messages to a group can streamline communications in specific circumstances.

• Tap the New Chats icon.
• Tap New Group.
• Add all the participants you want to include (up to 256).
• Tap Next.
• Add a subject for the chat and an icon.
• Tap Create.sa
• In the resulting chat dialog, begin your encrypted message with stickers, images, or a voice message.

You can easily start a video or voice call in your group for groups of eight participants or less. Just tap the Video Camera icon at the top right of your group chat to start a video call or the phone symbol to start a voice call.

Using broadcast lists

The WhatsApp’s Broadcast List feature lets you send a single message to multiple contacts who will not see that the message has been sent to others. Only contacts with your number in their address book can receive your broadcast messages and they can only reply to you individually via chat, as opposed to group messages.

Backing up your chats

Say you’re finished chatting. Now what? After your chats are over, you can choose how to dispose of them. Chats are immediately stored in your handset memory. But you can be more systematic about it and back up your chats automatically or manually by tapping the Backup button. You can also choose to include videos or not. For iPhones, you can backup to iCloud; with Android, you can back up to Google Drive. WhatsApp advises disabling cellular data when backing up to or restoring chats from iCloud or Google Drive, since that action may involve data charges. You can also archive, clear, or delete all chats if you no longer need them.

• Go to Settings and tap Chats.
• Tap Back Up Now.
• Use the slider to include videos or not.

Updating your status

You can use the Status pane to update your status. Status updates expire after 24 hours.

• Tap the Status pane.
• Tap the Pencil icon.
• Tap the paint palette icon to set different background colors.
• Use the keyboard to tap out your message.
• Use the Type tool to change fonts.
• You can also set a photo, video, or emoji as your status update.

Syncing with Mac or Windows

With WhatsApp installed on your phone, you can access a web version of the app that mirrors your chat, group, and broadcast activities. You can use the web interface on your Mac or Windows computer in major browsers to chat, but you can’t make phone calls. You can also switch on desktop notifications for alerts to incoming WhatsApp messages.

• Click the WhatsApp download link to download and install WhatsApp on your computer.
• Open WhatsApp Web in your browser.
• When you get the QR code prompt, use the mobile app’s scanner to scan it.
• You will then be able to access your chat history and send and receive messages within the web interface.

Changing your wallpaper

WhatsApp allows you to fully personalize your experience through a variety of themes, colors, and backgrounds. You can choose from their library of visuals, opt for a solid background, or even upload your photos as a wallpaper.

Customizing your look is easy. From the settings page, choose Chats > Chat wallpaper and pick from the Wallpaper Library, Solid Colors, or one of your photos.

Bottom line

WhatsApp Messenger is one of our favorite messaging apps because it’s user-friendly, and you can quickly acquire more advanced capabilities. Before you dive headfirst into the advanced features, we recommend getting comfortable with its basic functionality, like calls and texts. From there, you’ll be more ready to explore themes and other options.

These features allow the opportunity to update your status, send messages to groups, and communicate with groups, all while keeping everything encrypted. You can do all of this without spending a dime.

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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.

WhatsApp Messenger - what is it and how to use it? All about WhatsApp

You are on the UNOFFICIAL website of the WhatsApp messenger. Our team knows about all the features and functionality of the application that will be useful for you. On our website you will find:

• Latest messenger news;
• Overviews on available features;
• Download and installation instructions;
• Postcards for WhatsApp for all holidays;
• Statuses for every day and much more. nine0006

On our fan site, we told you something that is not on the messenger's official site. Our articles will help you deal with WhatsApp in a short time, but with maximum benefit.

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform application that is designed for users of the following devices and operating systems.

It allows you to exchange free text messages. You no longer have to pay for SMS - just install WhatsApp Messenger. And then all your friends will always be in touch. nine0003

How does the program work?

WhatsApp is a handy application that expands the boundaries of Internet communication. Thanks to him, you can communicate with friends and family at any time without restrictions.

Why do you need a messenger?

• For constant communication with friends. The application allows you to send unlimited individual messages absolutely free of charge.
• To transfer media files. Need to send a picture, audio or video file? It is enough to download WhatsApp, after which you can do it in just a minute. nine0006
• To save messages in the archive. Important mail, addresses, names, phone numbers and other useful information - all this will be stored in the application's memory. Convenient isn't it?

By the way, if anything, we have a very detailed article about what WhatsApp is and how to use it.

The advantage of WhatsApp is that it is the first messenger that will allow you not to enter passwords and not “fly out” of chats. This is a convenient and very simple program that can completely replace communication via SMS. nine0003

Also read what a Business account is, it has additional features.

FAQ

How to use WhatsApp? The main advantage of the program is that it does not require authorization: a phone number is used for identification, and it automatically recognizes all contacts from the address book. If your friends have already installed the messenger, you can send them messages right away.

How to install WhatsApp? nine0033 The application must be downloaded to the smartphone from a trusted source. The latest version is freely available - for example, on our website. Internet connection required for messaging.

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