WhatsApp Messenger: Messaging and Video Calling App

WhatsApp Messenger is a free communication app by WhatsApp LLC that provides end-to-end encrypted messaging and voice and video calling. It addresses the everyday problem of staying in touch with friends, family and colleagues without paying subscription fees, and it does so by tying each account to a phone number instead of a username or password, so there is nothing extra to remember before you start a conversation. Messages, calls and shared media travel over your phone's internet connection, which means the app still functions on slow networks and does not depend on a mobile carrier's SMS allowance. Group conversations, location sharing, voice notes and disappearing Status updates extend the same encrypted model beyond one-to-one chats. The app is listed as free, carries no advertising, and offers optional in-app purchases; it asks for a broad set of Android permissions, so it is worth reviewing what you grant.

Key features

• End-to-end encryption for personal messages and calls, so parties outside a chat cannot read or listen to its contents
• Voice and video calls with up to 32 participants, placed over the phone's internet connection and usable on slow connections
• End-to-end encrypted group chats that support sharing messages, photos, videos and documents
• Location sharing limited to the individual or group chat you choose, with the ability to stop sharing at any time
• Status updates made of text, photos, video or GIFs that disappear after 24 hours and can be limited to selected contacts
• Voice messages for quick replies when typing is inconvenient
• Wear OS support for replying to messages and taking calls from a watch, including tiles and complications for quicker access
• Cross-device continuity, with conversations available on mobile and desktop, and group call features such as transferring a call between devices

How to install

1. Tap the download button on this page to get the installation file for WhatsApp Messenger.
2. When Android prompts you, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the "Install unknown apps" permission for that app.
3. Open the downloaded APK file, which is about 142 MB in size.
4. Tap Install and wait for the process to finish; your device must run Android 6.0 or newer.
5. Open the app and complete the phone number verification to begin messaging.

What's New

The latest update introduces the option to share recent group history when adding new members, making it easier to get them up to speed. Group calls also gain several improvements, including the ability to transfer calls between mobile and desktop, a waiting room for call links, and a pinned participant view. These features will be available to users gradually over the next few weeks.

This app suits people who want a single place for everyday conversations, group coordination and calls without paying a subscription. It is a reasonable fit for families, friend groups, study teams and small work circles that need shared photos, documents, voice notes and location, and for anyone who values default end-to-end encryption while accepting the permission requests that come with a feature-rich messenger.

Before granting access, open Android's app settings and review each permission, revoking any you do not need, such as location, microphone or contacts. Set Status visibility to selected contacts rather than everyone, and remember that location sharing can be stopped at any moment from within the chat.

WhatsApp Messenger combines encrypted messaging, group chats and multi-person calling in one free app that runs on Android 6.0 and above. Its permission list is broad and in-app purchases exist, so install it with those trade-offs in mind and adjust the settings to match your comfort level.