Skip to Content

Log in / Sign up

wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

Downloading and Installing WhatsApp to Your Android Device

Download Article

Easily get WhatsApp up and running on your Android device

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: October 14, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Downloading and Installing

|

Signing In

|

Video

|

Q&A

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app from Meta. It allows you to send messages over an encrypted connection to protect your privacy. Additionally, WhatsApp allows you to send messages to people in other countries and create large group chats . This wikiHow teaches you how to download WhatsApp Messenger from the Play Store, and set up your account to start chatting with your contacts, using Android.

How to Install WhatsApp on Android

Open the Google Play Store and search for "WhatsApp." Select "WhatsApp Messenger" and tap Install. Open WhatsApp and agree to the terms of service. Register your phone number and then restore your chat from a backup, if you have one. Then enter your name and create an optional passkey.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Downloading and Installing

Download Article

The Google Play Store app has an icon that resembles a colorful triangle. Find and tap the icon on your Home screen or Apps tray to open the Play Store. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
The search bar is at the top of the page. ^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Search WhatsApp in Google Play. Type the app's name, and tap the Enter or Return button on your keyboard. This will list all the matching results. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- On some keyboards, you may also find a Search or the magnifying glass button.
4
Tap the green Install button next to WhatsApp Messenger. This should be the top match in your search results. This will start your download, and install WhatsApp on your Android. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
- The WhatsApp icon looks like a white telephone in a green speech bubble.

Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Signing In

Download Article

1
Open the WhatsApp Messenger app on your Android. The WhatsApp icon looks like a white phone in a green speech bubble. You can find it on your home screen or Apps menu.
- Alternatively, you can tap Open in the Google Play Store once WhatsApp finishes downloading.
Tap the radio option next to your preferred language. The language you have selected on your Android phone will be selected by default. Tap the green arrow icon in the lower-right corner to continue.
It's the green button at the bottom of the screen. This will start your account set-up process.
This will allow WhatsApp to export your contacts from your phonebook, and access photos, media, and files to share with your contacts in your chats.
5
Enter your valid phone number and tap Next . Make sure to include your country code at the beginning or select your country from the drop-down menu. Tap Next at the bottom of the screen when you are ready to continue. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You will have to verify your number in the following steps.
Check your number and verify that it is correct. If the number is correct, tap Yes to continue. If it is not correct, tap Edit and enter the correct number.
7
Enter your six-digit verification code. Find your verification code in the automated text message from WhatsApp, and enter it here to verify your number. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you receive text messages on the same Android phone, you may be able to enter the code automatically. To do so, tap Continue .
If you have a backup of your previous chats , tap Continue and select an account that your backup is saved to. If you do not have a backup, tap Skip instead.
9
Enter a username for yourself. Use your keyboard to enter a username for your account, and tap Next to confirm.
- Optionally, you can enter the gray-and-white camera icon next to the username, and upload a profile picture.
- You can change your username later on in the Settings menu.
A passkey allows you to log in to WhatsApp using your fingerprint, face, screen lock code, or pattern. If you want to create a passkey, tap Create passkey and follow the on-screen instructions to create a passkey for your device. If you don't want to create a passkey, tap Skip . Afterward, your WhatsApp account will be created and you will be ready to start using WhatsApp.

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I install WhatsApp after my Android phone keeps saying "App not installed"?

Wing Hong Chan

Community Answer

If you've moved WhatsApp to an SD Card, make sure it is inserted and restart your device. If not, still restart your device and see if it's still there. If not, go to the Google Playstore and install it again.

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
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 6

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Advertisement

References

About This Article

Reviewed by:

Professional Technologist

This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls . Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 200,595 times.

How helpful is this?

Co-authors: 7

Updated: October 14, 2024

Views: 200,595

Categories: WhatsApp | Android Applications

In other languages

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 200,595 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

X

-

-

561

.mwimg a.image{display:none}#header_logo{display:none}#cse-search-box{display:none}#cse-search-box-noscript{display:block !important}#cse-search-box-noscript .cse_q{color:#FFF;background-color:#B3CE9C}.wh_search .cse_q{width:88%}#mw-mf-main-menu-button{display:none;visibility:hidden}.header .search{display:none}#search_footer .cse_sa{background-image:url(/extensions/wikihow/mobile/images/white_mag.png);background-size:22px}.related_box{display:block;background:#EEE;border:5px solid #FFF;vertical-align:bottom;width:127px;background-size:180px;float:left;height:120px;position:relative}.related_box p{line-height:15px !important;font-size:13px;background-color:rgba(67,95,44,.4);color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;padding:8px;margin:0 !important;position:absolute;bottom:0}#noscript_header_logo{display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;background-position:50% 77%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(/extensions/wikihow/mobile/images/wikihow_logo_230.png);background-size:105px;width:auto;height:51px;padding:0 14px}.articleinfo{display:none}#iorg_free_data{z-index:50;width:100%;position:fixed}#ara_recommendations{display:none}

Design a Mobile Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: