WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
Screenshots
About WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp skips user accounts, public handles, and complex password setups entirely. Instead, your phone number serves as your identity, automatically pairing you with people already saved in your address book. This deliberate lack of an open search directory means strangers cannot easily ping your inbox unless they already have your digits, keeping personal interactions grounded in real-life contacts.
Every individual text, group thread, voice call, and video stream is secured with end-to-end encryption by default. Neither WhatsApp nor third parties can view your media attachments or listen in on conversations. You can host group calls with up to 32 participants, switch ongoing calls between your phone and computer, and set up waiting rooms for shared call links. Temporary Status posts let you publish photos or short updates that vanish after a full day.
This platform is not designed for anonymous browsing or meeting new people online, as it relies strictly on your actual telephone number. It also requests broad system permissions, including access to your call log, device identity, precise location, and full contact book to function properly.
For daily communication across mobile screens, desktop apps, and Wear OS watches, it keeps messaging direct and private without forcing you to manage separate login credentials. Recent updates even allow group admins to share recent message history with newly added members so everyone stays caught up.
- Phone Number AuthAccounts link directly to your cellular number rather than requiring usernames or custom passwords.
- Encrypted CallingVoice and video calls accommodate up to 32 people with default end-to-end security.
- Wear OS SupportReply to chats, handle incoming calls, and send voice recordings directly from your smartwatch.
- Disappearing StatusPublish photos, text, or video updates to selected contacts that vanish automatically after 24 hours.
Permissions
- Device & app historyretrieve running apps
- Identityfind accounts on the device
- Identityadd or remove accounts
- Identityread your own contact card
- Contactsfind accounts on the device
- Contactsread your contacts
- Contactsmodify your contacts
- Locationapproximate location (network-based)
- Locationprecise location (GPS and network-based)
- SMSreceive text messages (SMS)
- SMSsend SMS messages
- Phonedirectly call phone numbers
- Phoneread call log
- Phoneread phone status and identity
- Photos/Media/Filesread the contents of your USB storage
- Photos/Media/Filesmodify or delete the contents of your USB storage
- Storageread the contents of your USB storage
- Storagemodify or delete the contents of your USB storage
- Cameratake pictures and videos
- Microphonerecord audio
- Wi-Fi connection informationview Wi-Fi connections
- Device ID & call informationread phone status and identity
- Otherview network connections
- Othercreate accounts and set passwords
- Otherpair with Bluetooth devices
- Otheraccess Bluetooth settings
- Othersend sticky broadcast
- Otherchange network connectivity
- Otherconnect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
- Otherfull network access
- Otherchange your audio settings
- Othercontrol Near Field Communication
- Otherread sync settings
- Otherrun at startup
- Otherdraw over other apps
- Otheruse accounts on the device
- Othercontrol vibration
- Otherprevent device from sleeping
- Othertoggle sync on and off
- Otherinstall shortcuts
- Otheruninstall shortcuts
- Otherread Google service configuration
What's new
• You can now choose to share recent group history with new members when you add them to a group<br>• Group calls now include the ability to transfer calls between mobile and desktop, add a waiting room for call links, and pin a participant to a bigger tile.<br><br><br>These features will roll out over the coming weeks. Thanks for using WhatsApp!
Common questions
Do I need a username to register on WhatsApp?
No, WhatsApp uses your phone number instead of usernames or passwords. It scans your phone's contacts to connect you with people you already know.
How many people can join a WhatsApp group call?
Group calls support up to 32 participants across mobile devices. You can also transfer calls between mobile and desktop or use waiting rooms for call links.
Are my WhatsApp messages visible to the company?
No, personal messages and calls are protected by end-to-end encryption. Only you and the recipient can read or listen to them.