GB WhatsApp is a modified version of the popular messaging app WhatsApp. It offers additional features not available on the official WhatsApp, such as customized themes, enhanced privacy, and larger media sharing limits. However, using unofficial versions like GB WhatsApp violates WhatsApp’s terms of service. So how can you check if someone is using this modded version of WhatsApp?
Check Their Profile Photo
One of the easiest ways to identify if someone is using GB WhatsApp is by looking at their profile photo in chat. In official WhatsApp, profile pictures have a slight zoom and rounded corners. But in GB WhatsApp, profile photos appear uncropped with sharp square corners. This is because GB WhatsApp does not apply the same masking and adjustments to images as regular WhatsApp.
So if you notice your contact’s profile photo lacks the typical rounded corners and zoomed effect, they are likely using GB WhatsApp or another unofficial mod. The profile picture will appear more natural and closer to how it looks in the camera gallery.
Observe Their Online Status Text
GB WhatsApp allows users to customize the text that displays next to their online status. So instead of just showing “Online” it can say things like “Available”, “At Work”, “In Class” and so on. If you notice unique status text like that from a contact, it’s a sign they have GB WhatsApp installed.
The official WhatsApp only shows pre-set options like Online, Last seen at, Typing… under a contact’s name. It does not allow freeform custom text for online status. So any non-standard text in that spot implies a modded app.
See If Media Limits Are Different
GB WhatsApp lets you send media files up to 50MB in size. The official WhatsApp in comparison only allows 16MB video files and 100MB for photos. So if a contact is able to send you unusually large videos or high resolution photos, chances are they are bypassing WhatsApp’s limits using GB WhatsApp.
You can confirm this by checking the file properties when saving the media they sent. If video files are near 50MB or images are over 10-15 megapixels, the standard WhatsApp would not have allowed transferring them. This indicates the sender is running a modified version.
Notice Missing Read Receipts
The read receipts feature in WhatsApp shows when message recipients have viewed your chats. However in GB WhatsApp, users can disable read receipts entirely. So if you see contacts who never show the blue ticks next to your messages, it likely means they have disabled read receipts in GB WhatsApp.
On official WhatsApp, the only way to hide read receipts is to turn off the “Read Receipts” setting under each chat. But recipients still need to have general read receipts enabled to view them from others. With GB WhatsApp though, disabling read receipts altogether prevents them from being shown.
Watch for Delayed ‘Typing’ Indicators
GB WhatsApp has an option to delay the appearance of the “typing” indicator when the user is composing a message. This means recipients will see the typing notification pop up much later compared to regular WhatsApp.
So if you notice contacts where the typing indicator takes several seconds to show up, it likely means they have increased the delay using GB WhatsApp settings. The official WhatsApp typing indicator appears instantly as the user types.
See If They Can Message Without Your Number
On official WhatsApp, you can only start a chat with someone if you have their phone number saved in your contacts. However with GB WhatsApp, it’s possible to message unsaved numbers.
If you get a message out of the blue from an unknown number, that likely indicates they texted you using the GB WhatsApp option to message unsaved contacts. Regular WhatsApp does not allow messaging people not in your phonebook.
Watch for Hidden Live Locations
The live location sharing feature in WhatsApp normally notifies contacts when you are sharing your real-time location with them. However GB WhatsApp lets you hide the live location notification.
If you suspect someone is able to view your location without any prompt, it likely means they have enabled hidden live location sharing using GB WhatsApp. The official app always shows a conspicuous notification when active live location sharing is occurring.
See Their ‘About’ Text
GB WhatsApp has a modified About section that allows using special Unicode characters and symbols not supported in regular WhatsApp. If you see a contact’s About text containing emojis, special characters, or foreign scripts, it indicates they are using GB WhatsApp.
Plus the About section in GB WhatsApp enables adding clickable links, something not possible on official WhatsApp. So if you see URL links in a contact’s About, that’s a clear sign of GB WhatsApp.
Notice App Interface Differences
GB WhatsApp has a fully customizable interface allowing users to change overall theme colors, icons, chat bubbles, and other elements. So if you happen to notice major visual differences compared to regular WhatsApp when peeking at a contact’s screen, it likely indicates modded GB WhatsApp.
Things like differently styled chat screens, alternate icon shapes, new colors for tabs and buttons are all telltale signs of an interface modified through GB WhatsApp. The official WhatsApp look and feel does not allow such drastic visual changes.
See Longer Group Names
The official WhatsApp only allows group names up to 25 characters. But with GB WhatsApp, you can create group names over 25 characters. So if you spot unusually long group names for your contacts’ groups, that hints they are using GB WhatsApp.
Group names over 25 characters get automatically truncated on the normal WhatsApp. But GB WhatsApp removes this limit, allowing extra long names. Just seeing a group name that exceeds 25 characters suggests the group admin is using a modded version.
Try Calling Them
Calls from standard WhatsApp to GB WhatsApp will not connect. So trying to call a contact is one way to check if they are on GB WhatsApp. If the call does not go through despite them being online, it likely indicates they are on different WhatsApp versions.
However, this method only works if the contact is not also using the official WhatsApp alongside the modified version. Having both apps installed allows calls to connect from regular WhatsApp to GB WhatsApp.
Conclusion
Identifying if someone is using GB WhatsApp is possible by watching for telltale indicators that give away the modded version. Things like squared profile pictures, customized online status text, disabled read receipts, delayed typing indicators and interface differences all hint at GB WhatsApp usage.
However, the only foolproof way is to directly ask the contact if they use GB WhatsApp. They may voluntarily confirm it if asked directly. There’s always a chance the indicators above could be caused by other factors or apps.
It’s also important to remember that using unauthorized WhatsApp mods like GB WhatsApp violates the terms of service. Accounts can potentially be banned if WhatsApp detects usage of such third-party apps. So while identifying GB WhatsApp users may satisfy curiosity, it’s wise not to actively promote or encourage installing unsafe modded apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GB WhatsApp safe to use?
No, GB WhatsApp is not considered safe or secure. Since it is not officially released by WhatsApp, there could be privacy risks and malware associated with the third party APK file. WhatsApp cannot guarantee security or encrypt chats sent through unofficial versions. There is also a chance of getting banned by using modded apps.
Can I get banned for using GB WhatsApp?
Yes, there is a possibility your WhatsApp account could get banned for using GB WhatsApp or other modified versions. These third-party apps violate WhatsApp’s terms of service. If WhatsApp detects you are using an unsupported modded version, they may ban accounts associated with it.
Is there any way to use both GB WhatsApp and regular WhatsApp?
It is possible to install GB WhatsApp alongside the official WhatsApp app on the same Android device. However, you cannot use the same phone number on both simultaneously. The apps must be registered with different phone numbers to work concurrently.
Can I transfer my chat history from WhatsApp to GB WhatsApp?
Yes, it is possible to transfer your existing WhatsApp chat history and data to GB WhatsApp. You need to create a backup on the official WhatsApp, then restore this backup on GB WhatsApp to transfer over your messages, media, settings etc.
Will my contacts on WhatsApp know if I switch to GB WhatsApp?
No, your contacts will not automatically get notified if you switch from WhatsApp to GB WhatsApp. The change will be transparent from their end. Only if they explicitly check for the indicators of GB WhatsApp usage will they realize you have switched.