WhatsApp is a free to download messenger app for smartphones. WhatsApp uses the internet to send messages, images, audio or video. The service is very similar to text messaging services, however, because WhatsApp uses the internet to send messages, the cost of using WhatsApp is significantly less than texting. You can also use Whatsapp on your desktop, simply go to the Whatsapp website and download it to Mac or Windows.
To download WhatsApp on an Android phone
- Go to the Google Play Store. If you have not used this before you will be prompted to log in with or register for a google account then search for WhatsApp. Tap INSTALL and wait for it to download.
- Once downloaded and installed then open WhatsApp and continue to the next screen by agreeing to the Terms of Service.
- Type in your phone number.
- Enter your name. You can also change this later in WhatsApp by tapping More options > Settings, and tapping on your profile name.
To download WhatsApp on an iPhone
- Find WhatsApp Messenger in the Apple App Store, then tap GET.
- Open WhatsApp and continue to the next screen by agreeing to the Terms of Service.
- Type in your phone number.
- Enter your name.
Other WhatsApp tips
I’m often asked how to delete contacts from WhatsApp, this is much easier on an iPhone than an Android phone.
On an iPhone
Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab and search for or select the contact you’d like to delete. Tap the contact’s name at the top.
Tap Edit > scroll to the bottom and tap Delete Contact.
On an Android phone
Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
Search for or select the contact you’d like to delete. Tap the contact’s name at the top. Tap the three dots on the top right for more options. Tap View contact. Tap the three tops at top right for more options
Tao > View in address book > now tap the three dots on the bottom right for More options
Now you get the option > Delete.
How to set up a Whatsapp group
From the Whatsapp chat screen click on the 3 dots at the top right and you should get the option ‘New group’. Select this then you should get a screen asking you to select participants. Click on the name of each participant then click the green arrow at the bottom to add them to the group. If no participants are shown you can select them from your contact list on your phone. Once the group members have been selected you will be given the option to create a name for the group.
How to link another device (Android)
On the new device install Whatsapp then tap AGREE AND CONTINUE
Then tap the three dots and ‘link as a companion device’
You’ll now see a QR code to be scanned by your primary device.
Now open WhatsApp on your primary device.
Tap the three dots and ‘linked devices’ then ‘link a device’
now scan the QR code on the new device using the existing device.