WhatsApp is simple, secure, reliable for messaging and calling, available on phones and devices all over the world.

WhatsApp is available for Android, iPhone, iPadOS, and Windows & Mac. WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging service, so those devices can all message each other. Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.

In addition to basic messaging WhatsApp users can create groups, send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages.

How to transfer your chats to a new iPhone?

Can I use WhatsApp on a PC without my phone?

WhatsApp Web and the desktop app require an initial connection to your phone for setup. After linking, they can function independently for a limited time. However, for full functionality and to maintain end-to-end encryption, periodic reconnection with your phone is necessary.

How can I format text in WhatsApp messages?

WhatsApp supports text formatting using specific characters:

  • Bold: Wrap text with asterisks (*).
  • Italic: Wrap text with underscores (_).
  • Strikethrough: Wrap text with tildes (~).
  • Monospace: Wrap text with backticks (').

How can I use WhatsApp's "Message Yourself" feature effectively?

WhatsApp's "Message Yourself" feature allows you to send notes, reminders, or files to yourself. This can be particularly useful for daily journaling, task lists, or saving important links. To use it, simply open a new chat and select your own contact.

Can WhatsApp read my messages?

No, WhatsApp cannot read your messages because it uses end-to-end encryption, meaning only you and the recipient can access the content of your chats. However, WhatsApp does collect metadata such as your phone number, device info, and usage patterns.

Is WhatsApp available for Windows?

Yes, WhatsApp has a desktop version for Windows and Mac, so you can use it on your desktop PC or laptop to message with friends and share photos as well.

Features

  • Voice and Video Calls: Make free one-on-one or group voice and video calls across iOS and Android devices.
  • Cross-Platform Messaging: Send messages and make calls seamlessly across different devices.
  • End-to-End Encryption: All messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and the person you're communicating with can read or listen to them.
  • Privacy Controls: Manage your privacy settings, including who can see your personal information and last seen status.
  • Group Chats: Easily create and manage group conversations with friends, family, or colleagues.
  • Group Calls: Initiate group voice or video calls directly from group chats.
  • Stickers and GIFs: Enhance your messages with a variety of stickers and GIFs.
  • Voice Messages: Quickly send voice messages for more personal communication.
  • Media Sharing: Share photos, videos, and documents effortlessly.
  • Business Profiles: Create a professional presence with a business profile.
  • Customer Engagement: Reach and interact with your customers efficiently.
  • Automated Messages: Set up automated greetings and away messages to manage customer expectations.

What's New

Introducing Incognito Chat with Meta AI: A completely private way to chat with AI

Chatting with AI has quickly become a critical part of how people get information and ask important questions. And many of these questions can be deeply sensitive, or include situations where people are including private financial, personal, health or work data with their questions.

Ten years ago we brought the world end-to-end encryption and now we are extending this privacy to chats with Meta AI.

Today we're launching Incognito Chat with Meta AI, a new way to have completely private conversations with AI. Built on top of our Private Processing technology, Incognito Chat lets you talk to Meta AI in a way that is invisible to anyone else.

Other apps have introduced incognito-style modes, but they can still see the questions coming in and the answers going out. Incognito Chat with Meta AI is truly private – no one can read your conversation, not even us.

Since we started exploring bringing AI to WhatsApp, we've been focused on how to deliver this power privately, at a global scale.

When you start an Incognito Chat with Meta AI, you're creating a private, temporary conversation that only you can see. Your messages are processed in a secure environment that even Meta cannot access. Your conversations are not saved and by default, your messages disappear – giving you a space to think and explore ideas without anyone watching.

We believe this private way of chatting has potential to be part of several ways people chat with AI on WhatsApp. In the coming months, we'll also introduce Side Chat protected by Private Processing. Side Chat with Meta AI will give you private help with any chat, with context of what's being discussed, without disrupting the main conversation.

We remain committed to delivering privacy for the world. Incognito Chat with Meta AI is rolling out on WhatsApp and the Meta AI app over the coming months. You can learn more about how Incognito Chat with Meta AI works here.

New Feature Roundup: Free up space, multiple accounts, cross-platform transfer and more

Over time, our chats become a record of the moments that matter: conversations with family, laughs with friends, the photos and videos we couldn't stop sharing. To help you make the most of all of it, we're rolling out new ways to make WhatsApp even easier to use – whether you're staying organized, juggling work and personal, or getting more out of every chat.

Free up space, keep what matters: As your chats fill up, so can the clutter. Now you can find and delete large files directly within any chat, so you can clear what you don't need without wiping your entire conversation. Simply tap the chat name and select Manage Storage. You can also choose to clear just media files when clearing a chat – keeping your chat history intact.

Cross-platform chat transfer made easy: Our chat transfer feature now supports moving your chat history from iOS to Android, in addition to within the same platform. Changing phones shouldn't be complicated. Now, with just a couple taps, your conversations, photos, and videos easily come with you.

Two accounts, one phone – now on iOS: You can now have two WhatsApp accounts logged in at the same time on iOS – just like on Android. No more carrying two phones to keep work and personal separate. You'll always know which account you're in because your profile picture will now be visible in the bottom tab.

Stickers that match your mood: Stickers can bring bigger, bolder expressions to your chats – and now WhatsApp will make it easier to use them by suggesting them as you type emojis. With just a tap, you can swap an emoji for a sticker that captures exactly how you're feeling.

Photo touch-ups with Meta AI: You can now use Meta AI to touch up photos directly in your chat before sending, making it easy to remove something distracting, swap in a new background, or apply a fun style. Meta AI features may not be available to all users.

AI Writing Help is even more useful: Writing Help can now draft a suggested response based on your conversation, so you can get your message just right – all while keeping your chats completely private.

Level Up Your WhatsApp Group Chats With New Member Tags, Text Stickers, and More

It's a new year and a great time for some upgrades to your group chats. Group chats on WhatsApp make it easier to stay connected with the people in your life no matter what device they own – whether it's sharing New Year's resolutions, preparing for that special celebration you have coming up, or planning to win your football league.

Today, we're introducing new features that make staying connected and expressing yourself in group chats even better.

Member tags: We all wear different hats and sometimes you want to give that more context in a group chat. Now you can give yourself a tag that tells the group what your role is, and can be customized for each group you're in. So you can be "Anna's Dad" in one group, and "Goalkeeper" in another.

Text stickers: For the messages you want to really stand out, you can now turn any word into a sticker by typing your text into Sticker Search. You can also add newly created stickers directly to your sticker packs instead of having to send them in a chat first.

Event reminders: Now when you create and send an event in your group chat you can set custom early reminders for your invitees. This helps everyone remember to commute to the party you're hosting or hop on the call at the right time, depending on the event type.

These new updates join a bunch of great features we've launched over the years to bring groups closer together – like sharing large files up to 2GB, HD media, screen sharing, voice chats, and more. We believe WhatsApp offers the best group chat experience, and we're committed to making it even better.

New Feature Roundup: Missed call messages, new Status stickers and more

We're introducing another bundle of features just in time for the holidays. This edition is packed with exciting new updates including missed call messages, fun Status stickers, improved Meta AI image generation, and more - making it easier than ever to connect with those who matter most.

Calls

Missed call messages: The holidays are a busy time packed with catching up with loved ones and sometimes you may not catch someone right away. If they don't answer, you can now record a voice or video note, depending on the call type, in one tap for them to listen to later. This new approach will make voicemails a thing of the past.

Reactions in voice chats: Voice chats help you quickly shift between messaging and talking live without ringing the whole group. Now you can react during a voice chat, so you can share a quick 'cheers!' without interrupting the conversation.

Group call speaker spotlight: On video calls, the speaker is automatically prioritized to help you easily follow along.

Chats

Meta AI image creation improvements: Meta AI has delivered new image generation model capabilities from Midjourney and Flux on WhatsApp so you'll notice huge improvements when creating annual holiday greetings to share in your chats or status.

Animate your images with Meta AI: You can now animate any photo into a short video to add more fun and festivity in chats or to your status.

New media tab on desktop: Search for your documents, links, and media across chats all in one organized place – so it's easier to find files and get more done faster on Mac, Windows and Web.

Cleaner link previews: We've improved the look of link previews, streamlining long URL links to avoid disrupting the chat and keep the conversation flowing.

Updates

New stickers on Status: We've added more ways to express yourself on Status including adding music lyrics, questions to which others can respond and interactive stickers you can tap to engage with.

Questions on Channels: We've also introduced questions on Channels so admins can better engage with their audience and get responses in real-time.