BlackBerry devices were once very popular smartphones, known for their focus on productivity, security and messaging capabilities. At their peak, BlackBerry smartphones were ubiquitous, especially among business professionals. However, with the rise of iOS and Android, BlackBerry has lost significant market share over the past decade.
Many popular apps have stopped supporting BlackBerry OS over the years. One of the most notable is WhatsApp – the popular messaging app owned by Meta Platforms. WhatsApp ended support for BlackBerry OS, as well as older versions of Android and iOS, years ago.
So can you still use WhatsApp on a BlackBerry smartphone today? Let’s take a closer look at the details.
WhatsApp and BlackBerry OS
WhatsApp first launched in 2009 and quickly became one of the world’s most popular messaging apps. For years, it was available on BlackBerry OS and was preloaded on many BlackBerry smartphones.
However, in June 2017, WhatsApp announced it would no longer support BlackBerry OS after December 31, 2017. This applied to all BlackBerry OS devices, including BlackBerry 10, 7.1 OS and earlier.
The reasoning WhatsApp gave for ending support was that these older platforms could not offer the kind of capabilities WhatsApp required to expand its app features in the future.
Last BlackBerry OS supported
The last version of BlackBerry OS supported by WhatsApp was BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.3.3.
Any BlackBerry device running an older OS version was unable to use WhatsApp after support ended in late 2017. This included popular models like the BlackBerry Bold, Curve, Torch, and Z10 smartphones.
So essentially, any BlackBerry smartphone from 2017 or earlier is not able to run the official WhatsApp app anymore.
Using WhatsApp on BlackBerry 10 devices
Given that WhatsApp is no longer supported on BlackBerry OS, is there any way to get WhatsApp working on BlackBerry devices today?
There are a couple of limited options:
APK download
It is possible to download and install an APK file (the Android app package file) for WhatsApp on some BlackBerry 10 devices.
However, this will only work if the device has been updated to BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.3 – the last OS version supported by WhatsApp.
The APK installation will not work on older BB10 versions or other BlackBerry OS devices. And the WhatsApp version will be outdated, as it’s tied to the end-of-life support date.
Android runtime
Some BlackBerry 10 devices supported installing Android apps via the Android Runtime (ART). This allowed you to download apps from the Amazon Appstore.
If the BlackBerry 10 device has Android Runtime set up, you may be able to download and install WhatsApp this way. Again, it will be an outdated version of WhatsApp from 2017.
Newer BlackBerry Android devices
In 2016, BlackBerry transitioned to releasing Android-based smartphones rather than using their own BlackBerry OS. These models run standard Android, so you can install WhatsApp like on any other Android phone.
For example, the BlackBerry KEYone and later BlackBerry Android phones support the latest version of WhatsApp available in the Google Play Store.
So for any BlackBerry running Android 6.0 or later, you can use WhatsApp normally. Just download it from the Play Store as you would any app.
Using WhatsApp Web
Since the WhatsApp mobile app is not supported on BlackBerry OS, another option is to use WhatsApp Web. This is the web browser version accessible at http://web.whatsapp.com.
To use WhatsApp Web:
- On your BlackBerry device, open a web browser and go to the WhatsApp Web link above.
- Use your phone to scan the QR code on the WhatsApp Web screen.
- This will sync your WhatsApp account to the web browser on your BlackBerry.
- You can now use WhatsApp Web to send messages, make calls, etc from your BlackBerry browser.
The major limitation is that WhatsApp Web requires your phone to be connected to the internet to sync messages. So you can’t use it independently on just your BlackBerry device.
Third-party BlackBerry apps
There are a couple of third-party apps available that offer WhatsApp support specifically for BlackBerry OS:
WizzApp
WizzApp is an app designed to let BlackBerry users access WhatsApp and other messaging services. It works by linking your BlackBerry device to an Android device, allowing you to sync WhatsApp messages between them.
Reviews suggest WizzApp can be slow and buggy. But for occasional WhatsApp access from a legacy BlackBerry, it’s one of the only options.
Chat for WhatsApp
Chat+ for WhatsApp is another BlackBerry app that provides WhatsApp access. Like WizzApp, it links your BlackBerry to a separate Android or iOS device running WhatsApp to sync messages.
The app costs $2.99 and also allows using WhatsApp on other non-supported platforms like Series 40 Nokia phones. But it provides only limited functionality.
Using other messaging apps
While official WhatsApp support has ended for BlackBerry OS, there are plenty of alternative messaging apps you can use:
- BBM – BlackBerry Messenger, the once popular messaging platform.
- Telegram – Secure messaging app with BlackBerry app.
- Signal – Encrypted open source messaging app.
- Viber – Free calling and messaging app.
- Line – Messaging app popular in Asia.
- GroupMe – App for group messaging.
These messaging apps support the core features of WhatsApp – free messaging, group chats, sending photos, etc.
While you may not be able to use WhatsApp itself on a legacy BlackBerry, you have options for keeping in touch across platforms.
Conclusion
WhatsApp is not supported on BlackBerry devices running BlackBerry OS 10 or older versions. This includes popular models like the Bold, Curve, and Z10.
It’s only possible to install WhatsApp on the last BBOS version (10.3.3) by downloading an outdated APK or using Android Runtime. WhatsApp Web provides web access but requires a separate device.
For BlackBerry models running Android, like the KEYone, you can install WhatsApp normally from the Google Play Store. And there are third-party apps that offer some WhatsApp access on legacy BlackBerry OS.
While native WhatsApp is not available anymore, there are alternative messenger apps you can use for cross-platform messaging on BlackBerry OS devices. Or you can upgrade to a newer BlackBerry Android phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did WhatsApp drop support for BlackBerry OS?
WhatsApp ended support for BlackBerry OS, as well as older iOS and Android versions, because these legacy platforms could not support the latest features and development WhatsApp wanted to undertake. Their code base had become outdated.
Can I use WhatsApp on a BlackBerry Bold or Curve?
No, older BlackBerry models like the Bold, Curve, and Torch are unable to run WhatsApp anymore after support ended in late 2017. These devices run BlackBerry OS 7.1 or earlier.
Will WhatsApp ever work again on legacy BlackBerry OS?
It is highly unlikely that WhatsApp will bring back support for BlackBerry OS or other legacy platforms. Their focus is on improving the app experience on iOS and Android.
Can I use WhatsApp Web on my BlackBerry smartphone?
Yes, you can access WhatsApp Web from the browser on BlackBerry OS devices. This provides a web interface to WhatsApp, but requires a paired mobile device to sync messages.
Is there a version of WhatsApp for the BlackBerry PlayBook?
No, WhatsApp was never released for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Like other BlackBerry OS devices, it is unable to run WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Usage Statistics
| Year | Monthly active users |
| 2009 | 1 million |
| 2012 | 100 million |
| 2013 | 200 million |
| 2014 | 500 million |
| 2015 | 800 million |
| 2016 | 1 billion |
| 2017 | 1.2 billion |
| 2018 | 1.5 billion |
| 2019 | 1.6 billion |
| 2020 | 2 billion |
Leading countries by WhatsApp users (in millions)
| Country | Monthly active users |
| India | 400 |
| Brazil | 120 |
| Indonesia | 100 |
| Mexico | 85 |
| United States | 80 |
| Russia | 67 |
| Turkey | 62 |
| Italy | 58 |
| Germany | 57 |
| France | 52 |
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp is no longer supported on BlackBerry devices running BlackBerry OS version 10.3.3 or older. This includes popular legacy models like the Bold, Curve, Torch and Z10.
For BlackBerry devices running Android 6.0 and newer, such as the BlackBerry KEYone, the WhatsApp app can be installed normally from the Google Play Store.
While native WhatsApp access is restricted on legacy BlackBerry OS, options like web access, third party apps or alternative messengers provide some capabilities. For full WhatsApp functionality, upgrading to a BlackBerry Android device is recommended.