WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. As such, support for WhatsApp is an important consideration when purchasing a new smartphone. The Huawei P20 Lite is a mid-range device launched by Huawei in 2018. With its decent specifications and affordable price point, it has been a popular choice among many consumers. A common question asked by prospective P20 Lite buyers is whether the phone supports WhatsApp or not. In this article, we will provide a definitive answer on WhatsApp support for Huawei P20 Lite and discuss some related aspects in detail.
Overview of Huawei P20 Lite
Before getting into the specifics of WhatsApp support, let’s briefly discuss the Huawei P20 Lite itself. This will provide some context around the phone’s software and specifications. Here are some key details about the P20 Lite:
– Release date: May 2018
– Operating system: Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 8.0
– Display: 5.84″ LCD with 1080 x 2280 resolution
– Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 659 octa-core
– RAM: 4GB
– Storage: 64GB, expandable via microSD
– Rear camera: 16MP + 2MP dual camera
– Front camera: 24MP
– Battery: 3000 mAh
The P20 Lite features a large 5.84″ display with minimal bezels and a crisp Full HD+ resolution. It is powered by Huawei’s mid-range Kirin 659 processor, which is decent but not the most powerful. The phone launched with Android 8.0 Oreo and Huawei’s EMUI skin on top. Overall, the hardware specifications are quite good for a mid-range smartphone. Next, let’s look at the all-important software support.
WhatsApp Support on Huawei P20 Lite
The definitive answer is – yes, Huawei P20 Lite fully supports WhatsApp. The messaging app can be installed and used without issues on the P20 Lite. Here are some key points regarding WhatsApp on this device:
– WhatsApp can be downloaded normally from the Google Play Store on the P20 Lite. The Play Store comes pre-installed on the phone.
– WhatsApp runs smoothly on the P20 Lite without lag or performance issues. The hardware is adequate for a smooth messaging experience.
– All features of WhatsApp are supported and work properly, including text messaging, voice/video calls, group chats, media sharing, WhatsApp web, etc.
– The latest version of WhatsApp is compatible with the P20 Lite and can be updated directly from the Play Store.
– Push notifications for WhatsApp work reliably on the P20 Lite so that you never miss a message.
– There are no restrictions or limitations imposed by Huawei on WhatsApp functionality. It works normally as on any Android phone.
So in summary, the Huawei P20 Lite provides full support for WhatsApp just like any other Android smartphone. You will face no issues using the popular instant messaging app on this device.
WhatsApp Version History on P20 Lite
While the P20 Lite fully supports the latest WhatsApp version today, that may not have always been the case. Messaging apps are constantly updated with new features and improvements. On Android, apps can require a certain minimum OS version to function.
Let’s take a look at the WhatsApp version history on the Huawei P20 Lite specifically:
| WhatsApp Version | Release Date | Supported? |
|---|---|---|
| 2.19.241 | May 2018 | Yes |
| 2.19.252 | June 2018 | Yes |
| 2.19.308 | October 2018 | Yes |
| 2.20.200 | March 2019 | Yes |
| 2.21.2 | July 2019 | Yes |
| 2.21.17 | October 2019 | Yes |
As you can see, the P20 Lite has supported all major WhatsApp versions released so far. When the phone launched with Android 8.0, WhatsApp 2.18+ was the current version which worked fine. Subsequently, all the way up to WhatsApp 2.21 in late 2019, the app has remained compatible and updated on the device via the Play Store.
This is expected to continue going forward as well. Since the P20 Lite is capable of updating to Android 9 Pie, it will be able to run future WhatsApp releases without issues. The app developers also ensure broader compatibility with Android versions as much as possible.
Updating WhatsApp on P20 Lite
Now that we’ve established the P20 Lite’s support for WhatsApp, let’s discuss how you can keep the messaging app updated to the latest version on this device:
– WhatsApp updates automatically from the Play Store – just enable auto-updates for apps in Play Store settings.
– You can also manually update by checking Play Store > My Apps for WhatsApp updates.
– When an update is available, it will show an ‘Update’ button next to WhatsApp. Tap it to update.
– WhatsApp updates are usually around 10-30MB in size so update over WiFi to avoid mobile data charges.
– If auto-update is disabled, remember to periodically check for WhatsApp updates to get new features and improvements.
– Updating WhatsApp may sometimes require restarting the app or phone to apply changes.
– Make sure your phone has enough storage space for updating apps from Play Store. WhatsApp may stop updating if storage is full.
– If facing issues, you can uninstall WhatsApp updates and reinstall the app from Play Store to get the latest version.
Keeping WhatsApp updated on your P20 Lite ensures you never miss out on the messaging app’s newest features and optimizations. The latest versions also contain security fixes for improved privacy and data safety. As the phone continues to receive Android OS updates, WhatsApp support will also be maintained.
New WhatsApp Features on P20 Lite
With WhatsApp being actively developed and frequently updated, there are often new features being added to the messaging platform. Some key examples of recent WhatsApp features that are supported on the Huawei P20 Lite include:
– Disappearing messages – Send messages that automatically delete after 7 days. Helps keep chats tidy and private.
– Increased group video call limit – WhatsApp increased the participant limit for video calls from 4 to 8 people in mid-2020. P20 Lite supports this.
– WhatsApp dark mode – Dark theme reduces eyestrain in low light and saves battery. Available on latest WhatsApp version.
– Profile privacy settings – More granular control over displaying last seen, profile photo, about etc. to specific contacts or no one.
– Media organization – Better arrangement and management of exchanged photos, videos, documents within each chat.
– Authentication via fingerprint – Add biometric authentication layer for WhatsApp on P20 Lite using fingerprint sensor.
– Group invite via links – Easily add people to groups by sharing invite link instead of needing contact numbers.
– Always mute option – Choose to mute notifications from specific chats forever, not just for 8 hours or 1 year.
As you can see, the P20 Lite has continued to gain access to all the latest and greatest WhatsApp features and improvements with app updates from the Play Store. Since the hardware and software are still fairly capable, this trend is likely to continue for some time.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp on P20 Lite
In case you face any issues using WhatsApp on your Huawei P20 Lite, here are some troubleshooting tips:
– Check if WhatsApp is up-to-date – Update to latest version from Play Store if needed
– Reinstall WhatsApp – Backup chats, uninstall app, reinstall from Play Store
– Free up storage space – WhatsApp may stop working if phone storage is completely full
– Check for software updates – Install latest OS update for your P20 Lite
– Reset app preferences – Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Reset App Preferences
– Restart your phone – Power off phone completely and restart to clear any glitches
– Contact WhatsApp support – Raise a ticket with details of issue at WhatsApp.com/help
– Perform factory reset – As last resort, backup data and reset phone to recover from software issues
With some basic troubleshooting, most common WhatsApp problems on P20 Lite can be fixed. Make sure to keep the app updated and maintain enough free storage space on your phone. A factory reset clears out any deep-rooted software issues as well.
Conclusion
To conclude, WhatsApp is fully supported and works without any limitations on the Huawei P20 Lite. The messaging app can be installed from the preloaded Play Store and keeps functioning smoothly with ongoing updates. Users can enjoy the latest WhatsApp features on their P20 Lite with the newest app versions from the Play Store. Software support is expected to continue in the future as Huawei issues OS updates for this capable mid-range device.