How to Install WhatsApp

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Easy WhatsApp installation guide for Android, iPhone, and desktop
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This wikiHow teaches you how to download and install WhatsApp on your iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, or computer. You're only able to log in on one device at a time, so you can't use WhatsApp on your computer and the same WhatsApp account on your iPhone at the same time. [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

On Android Phones and Tablets

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  1. Open your Android's Google Play Store . It's a white app with a multicolored triangle on it. You'll find this app in the app drawer (swipe up to see all the apps installed on your phone) or by searching. [2]
  2. It's across the top of your screen in the Google Play Store.
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  3. Some keyboards will show a magnifying glass icon in place of the Go key, so tap it to initiate the search.This will search the Play Store for WhatsApp; it should be the top result on the next page. [3]
  4. It's next to the WhatsApp icon of a phone receiver inside a green chat bubble. Doing so will take you to WhatsApp's app page.
  5. This will be in the top-right side of the screen. [4]
  6. It's at the bottom of the pop-up menu. Doing so will prompt WhatsApp to begin downloading to your Android.
  7. It's on the right side of the screen. Now that WhatsApp is installed on your Android, you can set it up.
  8. It's at the bottom of the screen.
  9. You'll enter this in the text field in the middle of the page. [5]
  10. WhatsApp will send a text message with a verification code to your provided phone number. [6]

    If don't have a phone number that can receive texts, tap Call Me instead, and your number will receive an automated phone call announcing your verification code.

  11. You'll see a new text message here.
  12. It should say "Your WhatsApp code is [six-digit code] but you can simply tap on this link to verify your device" in the body of the text. [7]
  13. As long as you don't mistype, this will confirm your phone's identity and redirect you to the account creation page.
  14. You don't have to add a photo, though it will help identify you to other contacts (especially if you use a different name).
    • You can also tap Use Facebook Info to use your Facebook picture and name.
  15. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. WhatsApp is now installed and set up on your Android; you can begin using WhatsApp at your leisure.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

On iPhone or iPad

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  1. Open the iPhone's App Store . It's a light-blue app with a white "A" on it. You'll likely see this on the Home Screen.
  2. This button, which resembles a magnifying glass, is at the bottom of the screen.
  3. You'll see this at the top of the screen.
  4. This button should be the search or Go key on your on-screen keyboard.
  5. WhatsApp resembles a green app with a white speech bubble encompassing a phone.

    If you've previously downloaded WhatsApp, this button will be a cloud icon with a downward-facing arrow. Tapping the cloud will prompt WhatsApp to download .

  6. This button is in the same place as GET . [8]
  7. Enter your Apple ID password if asked. If you've recently logged into your Apple ID in the App Store, you won't have to do this.
    • You can also use your Touch ID if your iPhone supports it.
  8. It's to the right of WhatsApp. Doing so will open WhatsApp, allowing you to proceed with setting it up.
  9. These windows will ask if you want to allow WhatsApp access to your contacts and whether or not WhatsApp can send notifications to you.
  10. It's at the bottom of the screen.
  11. Type in your phone number , then tap Done . Your phone number goes in the text field that's in the middle of the screen; Done is in the top-right corner.
  12. WhatsApp will send a confirmation code to your iPhone's Messages. [9]

    If don't have a phone number that can receive texts, tap Call Me instead, and your number will receive an automated phone call announcing your verification code.

  13. It's a green app with a white speech bubble.
  14. It will say something like "Your WhatsApp code is [six-digit number]..." in the text's body.
  15. As long as you do so correctly, WhatsApp will allow you to finish customizing your profile. [10]
  16. Do so by tapping the "Your name" text field in the middle of the screen and typing in your name.
    • You can also add a profile picture on this page.
    • You may also have the option of tapping Restore in the top-right corner of the screen to restore your chat history. This will only apply if you've used WhatsApp before on this phone.
  17. Your iPhone's WhatsApp is now installed and set up, meaning that you're ready to begin using WhatsApp!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

On Desktop

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  1. Go to the WhatsApp website on a computer . It's at https://www.whatsapp.com/ . You can download WhatsApp's desktop version from this site.

    You will need to have WhatsApp installed on your phone as well in order to log into WhatsApp on the desktop.

  2. This option is toward the bottom of the webpage. [11]
  3. It's on the right side of the page. Clicking this button will prompt the WhatsApp setup file to download, though you may first have to select a download location, like your downloads folder. [12]

    Depending on your computer type, this button will say either "Download for Windows 64-Bit" or "Download for Mac OS X".

  4. It will likely be in your computer's default "Downloads" folder (e.g., the desktop) with a name similar to "WhatsApp."
  5. Once it's done installing, you'll see the WhatsApp icon, which is a white phone on a green background, on your desktop.
    • A white window with a green illustration will appear while WhatsApp is installing.
  6. Doing so will launch WhatsApp's login page, which has a black-and-white checkered box (this is a QR code).
  7. If you don't have WhatsApp on your phone yet, you'll need to install it on your iPhone or iPad or Android phone or tablet before continuing. [13]
  8. Depending on your phone, the path to open the QR scanner will be as follows: [14]
    • iPhone - Tap Settings in the bottom-right corner of your screen, then tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop near the top of the screen.
    • Android - Tap ⋮ , then tap WhatsApp Web at the top of the menu.
  9. After a brief moment, WhatsApp will scan the code, which will give your computer permission to log into WhatsApp. You should now be able to use WhatsApp on your computer! [15]
    • If the QR code has expired, click the arrow in the middle of it to refresh the code.
    • If the code won't scan, make sure that all of the QR code is displayed on your phone's screen; you may need to increase the distance between your phone and your computer screen.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is an email needed for Whatsapp?
    Community Answer
    No, an email is not needed for WhatsApp. You just need to sign up with your phone number.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 31
  • Question
    How do I re-install WhatsApp?
    Community Answer
    Go to the app store on your phone and search for WhatsApp, then click "install".
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    Not Helpful 27 Helpful 55
  • Question
    What do I do if I try to install WhatsApp and it tells me to sign into my Google account?
    Community Answer
    Sign in to the Google account.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1068436057886812/?locale=en_US
      2. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/android
      3. ↑ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp
      4. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/807139050546238/?cms_platform=android
      5. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/807139050546238/?cms_platform=android
      6. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/684051319521343?cms_platform=android
      7. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/684051319521343?cms_platform=android
      8. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/807139050546238/?cms_platform=iphone
      9. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/684051319521343/?cms_platform=iphone
      1. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/684051319521343/?cms_platform=iphone
      2. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/download
      3. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/download
      4. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/download/?lang=en
      5. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1079327266110265/?cms_platform=android
      6. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1079327266110265/?cms_platform=android

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To install WhatsApp on your Android, open the Google Play Store in your app drawer, and then tap ""WhatsApp"" into the search bar. Tap WhatsApp Messenger in the search results, and then tap INSTALL to start the download. Finally, tap the OPEN button to launch WhatsApp and set up your account. To install WhatsApp on your iPhone, tap the App Store icon on your home screen, and then tap the magnifying glass. Type ""WhatsApp"" into the search bar and press the search key. Tap WhatsApp Messenger in the search results, and then tap GET to install it. Once the app is installed, tap the OPEN button and follow the on-screen instructions to get started.

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