WhatsApp Messenger
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 history
- retrieve running apps
- Identity
- find accounts on the device
- Identity
- add or remove accounts
- Identity
- read your own contact card
- Contacts
- find accounts on the device
- Contacts
- read your contacts
- Contacts
- modify your contacts
- Location
- approximate location (network-based)
- Location
- precise location (GPS and network-based)
- SMS
- receive text messages (SMS)
- SMS
- send SMS messages
- Phone
- directly call phone numbers
- Phone
- read call log
- Phone
- read phone status and identity
- Photos/Media/Files
- read the contents of your USB storage
- Photos/Media/Files
- modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
- Storage
- read the contents of your USB storage
- Storage
- modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
- Camera
- take pictures and videos
- Microphone
- record audio
- Wi-Fi connection information
- view Wi-Fi connections
- Device ID & call information
- read phone status and identity
- Other
- view network connections
- Other
- create accounts and set passwords
- Other
- pair with Bluetooth devices
- Other
- access Bluetooth settings
- Other
- send sticky broadcast
- Other
- change network connectivity
- Other
- connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
- Other
- full network access
- Other
- change your audio settings
- Other
- control Near Field Communication
- Other
- read sync settings
- Other
- run at startup
- Other
- draw over other apps
- Other
- use accounts on the device
- Other
- control vibration
- Other
- prevent device from sleeping
- Other
- toggle sync on and off
- Other
- install shortcuts
- Other
- uninstall shortcuts
- Other
- read 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.
Get WhatsApp Messenger
Encrypted group texting, voice, and video calling tied directly to your phone number
Alternatives
