WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, allowing users to send texts, make voice and video calls, and share photos, documents, and other media. A key feature of WhatsApp is its ability to work across international borders, enabling you to communicate with friends and family no matter where they are in the world.
The basics of international WhatsApp messaging
When you send a WhatsApp message to someone in another country, it works much the same as if you were messaging someone in your own country. As long as both you and the recipient have WhatsApp installed and an internet connection, messages will be delivered quickly and reliably.
Some key things to keep in mind when messaging internationally on WhatsApp:
- Make sure you have the right country code – Include the full international phone number, including country code, for any contacts living abroad.
- WiFi or mobile data is required – WhatsApp needs an internet connection to send and receive messages.
- It’s free – WhatsApp doesn’t charge anything extra for international messaging.
- Message when the other person is awake – Be conscious of time zones to avoid waking someone up!
As long as both parties have WhatsApp, you can send messages, photos, videos, voice notes, documents, and more. It works the same internationally as it does domestically.
Is WhatsApp dependable for international messaging?
WhatsApp is very dependable for international messaging. Here are some key reasons why:
- End-to-end encryption – WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for all messages, voice calls, and video calls. This means your communications are secured and private.
- Reliable delivery – WhatsApp has developed its messaging system to reliably deliver messages even with spotty internet connections.
- Read receipts – You can see when a recipient has read your message with the read receipts feature.
- Media sharing – You can share photos, videos, audio messages, documents and other media seamlessly.
- Group messaging – WhatsApp supports group chats with up to 256 participants.
- Cross-platform – WhatsApp works across iOS, Android, web browser, and desktop apps.
The combination of end-to-end encryption, reliable messaging delivery, read receipts, and extensive device support makes WhatsApp one of the most dependable global messaging apps available today.
Does WhatsApp work in every country?
WhatsApp is available in most countries around the world, but there are a few places where access is restricted or banned entirely. Here is an overview of WhatsApp availability globally:
- Available in over 180 countries – WhatsApp works in the vast majority of countries globally.
- Not available in China – WhatsApp is blocked in China due to government censorship.
- Banned in Iran – Iran has banned WhatsApp and other messaging apps like Telegram.
- Restricted in the UAE – WhatsApp voice/video calling features are blocked in the UAE.
- Banned by some governments – A handful of authoritarian regimes like North Korea completely ban WhatsApp.
In general, WhatsApp has the broadest global reach of any messaging app. But it is good to check if WhatsApp is fully functional in a specific country before traveling there or communicating with residents.
WhatsApp availability in select countries
| Country | WhatsApp Status |
|---|---|
| United States | Available |
| United Kingdom | Available |
| Canada | Available |
| Mexico | Available |
| Brazil | Available |
| France | Available |
| Germany | Available |
| Australia | Available |
| Japan | Available |
| China | Blocked |
| Russia | Available |
| India | Available |
| Saudi Arabia | Available (calls blocked) |
| Iran | Banned |
| North Korea | Banned |
Steps to messaging internationally on WhatsApp
Messaging someone internationally on WhatsApp only requires a few simple steps:
- Download and install WhatsApp – Get WhatsApp installed on your smartphone, either from the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android. You can also install WhatsApp Desktop to message from your computer.
- Verify your phone number – WhatsApp will send a SMS with a verification code to register your phone number.
- Add an international contact – Get the full international phone number from your friend or family member abroad and add it to your WhatsApp contacts.
- Start messaging – Once your contact appears in your WhatsApp, start texting them as you normally would. Send text, photos, voice messages and anything else you want.
- Check for read receipts – The two blue check marks will indicate your international contact has received and read your WhatsApp messages.
With just those few simple steps, you are ready to enjoy reliable, free messaging over WhatsApp internationally. The process is really the same as messaging someone in your own country.
How much does it cost to use WhatsApp internationally?
One of the best aspects of WhatsApp is that there are no extra fees or charges to message internationally. The only costs are:
- Your internet data plan – You need a cellular data or WiFi plan to access the internet and send WhatsApp messages.
- Normal account fees – On some plans there are small annual subscription fees (generally around $1) after the first year.
Messaging someone abroad on WhatsApp does not cost any more than messaging someone domestically. The internet data you use counts the same whether messaging locally or internationally.
There are no per-message charges, long distance fees, or other hidden costs that sometimes occur when texting internationally the traditional way through your phone plan.
Cost comparison
| Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp international message | $0 per message |
| Standard international SMS text | Up to $0.50 per message |
| International phone call | $1-$5 per minute |
Avoiding expensive international call rates and SMS fees is a huge benefit of using WhatsApp for global communication.
Tips for messaging internationally
Follow these tips for the best experience using WhatsApp internationally:
- Confirm the country code – Double check you have the correct country code before adding any international contacts.
- Use WiFi when possible – Connecting to WiFi instead of cellular data will avoid racking up large data usage bills.
- Set notifications – Make sure you have notifications enabled so you don’t miss messages from international contacts at odd hours.
- Check for read receipts – The two blue check marks let you confirm your contacts received and read your messages.
- Share your schedule – Alert international contacts when you are sleeping or busy so they know when to expect replies.
- Use group chats – For communicating with multiple people abroad, create WhatsApp groups to message together.
Following these tips will help you stay connected with your global contacts and avoid any confusion from the time differences or language barriers.
Conclusion
WhatsApp provides an incredibly convenient and reliable way to keep in touch with friends, family members, colleagues, and others internationally. With its broad global coverage, free messaging, encrypted communications, useful features like read receipts and group chats, and intuitive interface, it has become the global messaging app of choice.
Connecting across borders is easier than ever. With just a few quick steps, you can be regularly messaging contacts worldwide on WhatsApp. Language and distance are no longer communication barriers. Next time you plan to travel abroad or just want to send a quick hello to a friend overseas, turn to WhatsApp for affordable, easy, and dependable international messaging.