WhatsApp Messenger is a popular cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Meta Platforms. It allows you to send text messages, images, videos, documents and voice messages over the internet to WhatsApp users worldwide. WhatsApp also offers free video and voice calls. As of February 2020, WhatsApp has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide.
WhatsApp is available for smartphones running iOS and Android operating systems. It can also be used on desktops through WhatsApp Web or desktop applications for Windows and macOS. This guide will walk you through the process of downloading, installing and setting up WhatsApp Messenger on your device.
Requirements for Installing WhatsApp
Before installing WhatsApp, you need to ensure your device meets the following requirements:
For Android Phones:
– An Android phone running Android OS 4.1 or newer versions. Older Android versions are not supported.
– An active mobile data plan or Wi-Fi internet connection to use WhatsApp.
– Your phone number. WhatsApp verification is based on your phone number.
For iPhones:
– An iPhone running iOS 10 or newer versions. Earlier iOS versions cannot install WhatsApp.
– An active cellular data plan or Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone. WhatsApp requires internet connectivity.
– Your iPhone number. You will need it to verify your identity on WhatsApp.
For Windows PC:
– Windows 8.1 or newer. WhatsApp does not work on early Windows versions.
– An active broadband Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
– A phone number. It is required to verify your WhatsApp account.
For Mac:
– macOS 10.11 or newer. WhatsApp does not support older macOS versions.
– An active internet connection like Wi-Fi or cellular data.
– A phone number. It is needed to verify your identity and activate WhatsApp.
Downloading WhatsApp Messenger
Here are the steps to download WhatsApp Messenger app on your device:
On Android:
1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone.
2. Search for “WhatsApp Messenger”. The official app from WhatsApp Inc. should show up.
3. Tap on the WhatsApp Messenger app.
4. Tap on the Install button on the app page.
5. Wait for the app download and installation process to complete.
The WhatsApp Messenger app download size is around 30MB. It may take a few minutes to install based on your internet connection speed.
On iPhone:
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Search for “WhatsApp Messenger”. The official WhatsApp app should appear.
3. Tap on the WhatsApp Messenger app.
4. Tap on the Get button to download and install WhatsApp.
5. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
6. Wait for WhatsApp to finish downloading and installing.
The WhatsApp download size on iOS is approximately 60MB. It should install within a few minutes if you have a good internet connection.
On Windows PC:
1. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC.
2. Search for “WhatsApp”. WhatsApp Desktop app should appear.
3. Click on the WhatsApp app result.
4. Click on Get to start downloading and installing the WhatsApp desktop app.
5. WhatsApp will download and install quickly within a few minutes.
On Mac:
1. Go to www.whatsapp.com/download on your Mac web browser.
2. Scroll down and click on Download for Mac OS X.
3. This will start downloading the WhatsApp desktop app installer file on your Mac.
4. Once downloaded, open the WhatsApp installer file.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install WhatsApp on your Mac.
Setting up WhatsApp on Your Device
After you install WhatsApp Messenger on your smartphone or desktop, you need to set it up and verify your account. Here is the process:
On Android and iPhone:
1. Open the WhatsApp app after install.
2. Agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy if prompted.
3. Enter your phone number on the registration page. Make sure to include your country code.
4. Tap Next. WhatsApp will send a six-digit verification code to your phone number via SMS.
5. Once received, enter the verification code in WhatsApp.
6. You may be prompted to allow notifications and access your contacts. Allow if you want full WhatsApp functionality.
7. Tap Done to complete the setup process. Your WhatsApp account will be verified.
On Desktop:
1. Open the WhatsApp desktop app after installing.
2. A QR code will appear on screen.
3. Open WhatsApp on your phone. Tap on the Three Dots Menu > Linked Devices.
4. Point your phone’s camera at the desktop app’s QR code to link the desktop app.
5. Your WhatsApp desktop will now be connected and ready to use.
6. You may still have to verify your identity via a text message code on first use.
Conclusion
Installing WhatsApp Messenger on your smartphone or desktop is quick and easy. Just download the app from official app stores, install it, and verify your phone number to activate your account. With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp makes it easy to stay connected with your contacts through free messaging and voice/video calls over internet.
Platform | Download From | App Size (approx) |
---|---|---|
Android | Google Play Store | 30MB |
iPhone | App Store | 60MB |
Windows | Microsoft Store | 70MB |
Mac | WhatsApp Website | 70MB |