If someone has mentioned WhatsApp to you and you’re not quite sure what it is or whether you need it, this guide is for you. WhatsApp is a free app for sending messages and making calls using your phone’s internet connection. Millions of people use it every day, and once you get the hang of it, it’s very straightforward.

What Is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is a messaging and calling app that works on both iPhones and Android phones. It’s owned by Meta (the same company that owns Facebook), but you don’t need a Facebook account to use it, just a phone number.

Instead of sending a normal text message, WhatsApp sends your messages over Wi-Fi or mobile data. That means it’s completely free to message or call anyone else who has WhatsApp, even if they’re on the other side of the world.

Why Do People Use It?

Free international messages and calls, no roaming charges, no per-message fees
Family group chats, a popular way to stay in touch with children and grandchildren
No SMS costs, especially useful if you’re on a limited text allowance
Works on both iPhone and Android, unlike FaceTime, which is Apple-only

Setting It Up

Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for WhatsApp.
Tap Get or Install, then open the app.
Enter your mobile phone number when prompted.
WhatsApp will send you a 6-digit code by text message, type that in to verify your number.
Add your name and, optionally, a photo.

That’s it. WhatsApp will automatically find any of your existing contacts who already use the app.

Sending Your First Message

Tap the new chat icon (a speech bubble with a pencil).
You’ll see a list of your contacts who are on WhatsApp, tap someone’s name.
Type your message in the box at the bottom and tap the send button (the arrow).

You’ll notice small tick marks next to your messages:

One grey tick, your message has been sent
Two grey ticks, the message has been delivered to their phone
Two blue ticks, they’ve read it

Making a WhatsApp Call

Inside any chat, tap the phone icon in the top right corner for a voice call, or the video camera icon for a video call. The call uses your internet connection rather than your normal phone network, so it’s free, though the call quality may sound very slightly different to a regular phone call. Most people find it perfectly clear.

Group Chats

A group chat lets you message several people at once, a family group, for example. If someone adds you to a group and the messages start coming thick and fast, don’t worry. You can mute a group by pressing and holding its name, then choosing Mute notifications. You’ll still receive the messages, you just won’t be alerted every time one arrives.

A Note on Privacy

You can control who sees your profile photo and your status message. Go to Settings → Privacy and choose My Contacts for both. That way, only people already in your phone’s contacts can see your details.

Common Questions

Will WhatsApp cost me money? No, WhatsApp itself is free to download and free to use. The only thing it uses is a small amount of mobile data (or your home Wi-Fi). For most people the data usage is minimal, but if you’re on a very limited mobile plan, using Wi-Fi when you can is a sensible habit.

Do I need Wi-Fi to use it? No. WhatsApp works on mobile data too, 4G or 5G. Wi-Fi is ideal, but you don’t need it.

What if I make a mistake and send the wrong message? You can delete a message after sending it. Press and hold the message, tap Delete, then choose Delete for everyone. It will be removed from both sides of the conversation.