WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. Like many apps and services, WhatsApp implements certain rate limits to prevent abuse and spam on their platform.
Rate limiting refers to limiting the number of requests a user can make to WhatsApp’s servers within a specific time period. If a user exceeds these rate limits, they may be temporarily blocked or banned from accessing WhatsApp’s services.
Message Rate Limits
One of the main things that is rate limited on WhatsApp is how frequently you can send messages. According to WhatsApp’s FAQ page, they will ban any users who send bulk or automated messages on their platform.
WhatsApp does not publish the exact rate limits for sending messages, likely to make it harder for spammers to work around them. However, based on community reports, it appears WhatsApp will ban users who:
- Send over 100 messages per 24 hours
- Send the same message to multiple recipients (broadcasting)
- Send automated messages using bots or third-party apps
These rate limits apply on a per-device basis. So if you are sending a high volume of messages from one device, just that device may get banned. Your account will not be affected on other devices.
The bans for exceeding WhatsApp’s message rate limits can range from temporary suspensions of 24 hours up to permanent bans. The length likely depends on how excessive the messaging activity is.
Media Sharing Limits
In addition to messages, WhatsApp also limits how frequently you can share media like photos, videos, documents, and voice messages. This is again to prevent spam abuse.
Based on reports from users who have encountered issues, it appears WhatsApp may rate limit media sharing to:
- 100 media shares per 24 hours
- Maximum media size of 16MB per file
- Maximum of 90 recipients per media share
Exceeding those thresholds, especially on a regular basis, may trigger a temporary ban from WhatsApp for spam-like behavior. The limits again apply on a per-device basis.
Group Limits
WhatsApp also implements rate limits on how groups can be used on their platform:
- Maximum of 256 users per group
- Maximum of 100 groups per user
- Limits on how frequently groups can be renamed, description changed, participants added/removed, etc.
These group limits are designed to prevent spamming groups, mass-adding users to groups without consent, and other abusive behavior. Violating these limits can lead to bans from creating groups or managing groups for a period of time.
Account Registration Limits
To prevent multiple or fake account creation, WhatsApp limits how many accounts can be created from one device or phone number. Based on user reports, it appears the limits are:
- 1 account per phone number
- Maximum 3 accounts per device
Creating multiple accounts beyond these limits may trigger bans preventing new accounts from being registered. The limits seem to be imposed on both phone numbers and device identifiers.
API Usage Limits
For third-party apps and developers that integrate with WhatsApp using their API, there are also rate limits in place:
- Max 1,000 messages per 24 hours per API key
- Max 20 recipients per message sent through API
- Maximum 60 requests per minute per app ID
These API limits prevent abuse through automated apps and bots. Exceeding them can lead to API bans for the app developer or business.
IP Address Limits
In addition to per-user and per-device limits, WhatsApp also implements some rate limiting by IP address. This helps prevent spam from being sent through proxy servers and IP address spoofing.
Though WhatsApp does not provide public details, users report IP bans if:
- Hundreds of messages sent per hour from one IP
- Thousands of messages sent per day from one IP
Typically these bans are temporary (24-48 hours) and resolve automatically. But repeatedly exceeding the IP rate limits may lead to longer IP bans.
Web Client Limits
The WhatsApp web client and desktop apps also have some additional rate limits in place:
- Max 4 devices can be linked to one account
- After 60 days of inactivity, devices automatically disconnect
- User has to scan QR code to reconnect device
These limitations prevent Accounts from being permanently live on the web and being accessed without the owner’s smartphone. It helps improve security and prevent scraping or automated bot abuse through the web client.
Circumventing Rate Limits
While WhatsApp’s rate limiting policies are designed to improve platform security and prevent spam, some users still attempt to circumvent them through various means:
- Using multiple phones/SIM cards to register more accounts
- Spoofing device identifiers to avoid device bans
- Using proxy rotation services to avoid IP bans
- Automating access through the web client APIs
However, WhatsApp does actively monitor for and block abusers attempting to circumvent rate limits. Doing so will often trigger even harsher penalties like permanent suspension. The best practice is to follow WhatsApp’s guidelines and avoid hitting any rate limits.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp implements comprehensive rate limiting policies across multiple dimensions like user accounts, devices, IPs, API keys, groups and more. The limits help ensure their service remains spam-free and is not abused at scale.
While WhatsApp does not reveal full technical details of their limits, typical thresholds per day are around 100 messages or media shares, 60 API requests, and limits on groups, IPs, and accounts. Exceeding these thresholds often leads to suspensions ranging from 24 hours to permanent.
WhatsApp’s rate limiting system continues to evolve over time as spammers come up with new techniques. But by following their community guidelines and not abusing their service, normal users can avoid facing any rate limit related issues.
The key takeaways are:
- Don’t send bulk automated messages or media
- Don’t create multiple accounts with same device or number
- Don’t spam groups or constantly change group settings
- If you hit a rate limit, stop the activity and wait for ban to expire
Following those best practices will ensure you stay within WhatsApp’s limits and can keep using their messaging service as intended.