WhatsApp Messenger: Private Messaging & Calls
WhatsApp Messenger is a free communication app by WhatsApp LLC that lets you send encrypted messages and make video calls worldwide.
WhatsApp Messenger requires Android 6.0 or newer and takes up about 142 MB of storage. The app is free to download with optional in-app purchases and contains no advertisements. With over 10 billion installs and 245.6 million ratings averaging 4.62, WhatsApp Messenger is designed for anyone wanting simple, reliable, and private contact with friends and family.
Screenshots
WhatsApp Messenger is a free messaging and video calling app by WhatsApp LLC that lets users keep in touch with friends and family using a phone number instead of a username. It works across mobile and desktop, even on slower connections, and is used by a very large global audience. The app combines individual chats, group conversations, voice notes, and high-quality calls in a single interface.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted personal messages and calls, so chats cannot be read or listened to by outsiders.
- Voice and video calls with up to 32 participants, supported even on slow connections.
- Group chats for sharing messages, photos, videos and documents across mobile and desktop.
- Optional live location sharing within individual or group chats, with the ability to stop sharing at any time.
- Status updates with text, photos, video and GIF content that disappear after 24 hours.
- Wear OS support for replying to messages, taking calls and sending voice messages from a watch.
- New option to share recent group history with members when they are added to a group.
- Group call improvements including call transfer between mobile and desktop, waiting rooms for call links, and participant pinning.
How to install
- Tap the download button on this page to get the WhatsApp Messenger APK file.
- When your Android device asks, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting for that app.
- Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or file manager.
- Tap Install and wait for the process to finish. The file size is about 142 MB, and the app requires Android 6.0 or later.
- Open WhatsApp Messenger, enter your phone number, and complete verification to start using it.
Pros
- Free to use with no subscription fees and no ads shown in the app.
- End-to-end encryption protects personal messages and calls from interception.
- Supports calls with up to 32 people, making it useful for family or small team meetings.
- Works on mobile and desktop, with call transfer between devices now rolling out.
- Includes disappearing Status updates and optional live location sharing for added flexibility.
- Large installed base means many contacts are likely already reachable through the app.
Cons
- Requests a wide range of permissions including location, SMS, phone, contacts, storage, camera and microphone, which may feel excessive for a messaging app.
- In-app purchases are present, so some additional services or features may require payment.
- Being tied to a larger corporate ecosystem can be a concern for users who prefer independent or open-source messengers.
- Group history sharing and call transfer features roll out gradually, so availability may vary by device or region.
- Requires a phone number for setup, which limits anonymity compared to username-based services.
What's New
This October 13, 2026 update lets you share recent group history with new members when you add them to a group. Group calls now support transferring calls between mobile and desktop, adding a waiting room for call links, and pinning a participant to a bigger tile. These features will roll out over the coming weeks.
Versions
| Version | Size | Requires Android | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.26.39.71 | 142 MB | 6.0 | 03.10.2026 |
| 2.26.39.1 | 94 MB | 6.0 | 26.09.2026 |
It is a good fit for people who want a simple, widely used messenger for staying in touch with family and friends, for group coordinators who need reliable multi-person calls, and for smartwatch users who want to continue conversations from their wrist.
Review the permission settings after installation and disable anything you do not actively use, such as location or SMS access, to reduce unnecessary data sharing while keeping core messaging functions intact.
Permissions
FAQ
How does WhatsApp protect the privacy of my messages and calls?
Your personal messages and calls to friends and family are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one outside of your chats—not even WhatsApp—can read or listen to them.
What are the requirements to start using WhatsApp?
You only need your phone number; there are no user names or logins. The app requires Android 6.0 or higher, and it is about 142 MB in size.
Can I make group calls and what are the limits?
Yes, you can make secure video and voice calls with up to 32 people for free, and calls work even on slow connections using your phone's Internet service.
What is the Status feature and how does it work?
Status lets you share text, photos, video, and GIF updates that disappear after 24 hours. You can choose to share with all your contacts or only selected ones.
Does WhatsApp work on smartwatches?
Yes, you can use WhatsApp on your Wear OS watch to continue conversations, reply to messages, take calls, and access chats and send voice messages via tiles and complications.
For anyone already using WhatsApp or joining group chats with friends and family, the app remains a capable and widely adopted messenger. The free core experience, end-to-end encryption for personal conversations, and support for large calls and cross-device use are strong points. However, the broad permission list, ties to a larger company ecosystem, and optional in-app purchases mean privacy-conscious users should review settings carefully before relying on it for sensitive communication.
Updated: 19.10.2026
| Version | Size | Requires Android | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.26.39.71 | 142 MB | 6.0 | 03.10.2026 |
| 2.26.39.1 | 94 MB | 6.0 | 26.09.2026 |
- Size
- 142 MB
- Requires Android
- 6.0
- Updated
- 13.10.2026
- Installs
- 10B+
- Rating
- ★ 4.62 (245 622 876)
- Category
- Communication
- Developer
- WhatsApp LLC
- Content rating
- Everyone
- Package
- com.whatsapp
- Free
- ✓ · In-app purchases