How to Use WhatsApp to Send Messages on Any Platform

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Send encrypted messages to your friends and family on any platform
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WhatsApp is a messaging service that allows you to send encrypted messages to other users on any platform. WhatsApp does not use SMS to send messages—instead, it uses your mobile data or Wi-Fi, depending on network availability. This wikiHow article teaches you how to send a message using WhatsApp on your iPhone, iPad, or computer. You can also attach photos, videos, and other media to your messages.

Quick Steps

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Tap new New Message icon.
  3. Tap New Contact or New Group .
  4. Select the contact(s) or enter their number.
  5. Type a message.
  6. Tap the paperclip icon to select an attachment (optional)
  7. Tap the paper airplane icon to send the message.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using iPhone

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  1. It's the green-and-white chat bubble icon with a phone receiver inside. You'll usually find it on the home screen or by searching.
    • If you don’t have WhatsApp, you can download it for free from the App Store .
    • WhatsApp is not available for iPad, however you can use a web browser to access WhatsApp on a tablet.
  2. 2
    Set up WhatsApp (if you’re a first-time user). If you're new to WhatsApp, you will need to go through the setup process . Follow the on-screen instructions to allow WhatsApp to access your contacts, agree to the terms and conditions of the application, and verify your phone number by voice or SMS message.
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  3. It’s the first option in the bottom-left corner..
  4. 4
    Tap the New Chat icon. It's the green icon that resembles a plus sign (+) in the top-right corner of the screen.
    • Alternatively, if you’ve used WhatsApp before, you can tap an existing conversation on the Chats page.
  5. This creates a new message to the selected contact.
    • If the person you want to message isn't in your contact list, tap New contact to add them as a contact. You will need to know their phone number.
    • To send a message to more than one person, tap New group at the top of the Chats screen and enter your desired recipients.
  6. Tap the message field at the bottom of the message to bring up the keyboard, and then use the on-screen keyboard to type what you want to say.
    • You can also tap the microphone icon to record an audio message. This option will only appear if you do not have text entered in the message field.
    • To send a GIF, tap the sticker icon with a folded-up corner.
  7. 7
    Attach media to your message (optional). To attach a file, your location, another person's contact information, or something from your camera roll, tap the + to the left of the message field to bring up your options. The options you can choose are as follows: [1]
    • Photos: This option allows you to attach a photo or video from your camera roll.
    • Camera: This allows you to capture a new photo or video.
    • Location: This allows you to send your location to the recipient.
    • Contact: This allows you to share the stored information of one of your contacts in the message.
    • Document: This allows you to attach other types of files, including PDFs.
    • Poll: This allows you to create a poll that your chat participants can vote on.
    • Event: This allows you to share information about an event, including the event name, location, date, time, and place.
    • AI Images: This allows you to generate AI images you can share in the chat.
  8. 8
    Tap the Send button. It's the green paper airplane icon at the bottom-right corner. This sends the message to the selected recipient(s).
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Android

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  1. It's the green-and-white chat bubble icon with a phone receiver inside. You'll usually find it on the home screen, in the apps menu, or by searching.
  2. If you're new to WhatsApp, follow the on-screen instructions to set up WhatsApp . You’ll need to agree to the terms, allow WhatsApp to access your contacts, and verify your phone number.
  3. 3
    Tap the Chats tab. It's the first option at the bottom of the screen. It has an icon that resembles a text box.
  4. 4
    Tap the + icon. It’s in the lower-right corner. This allows you to add a new contact and start a new conversation.
    • Alternatively, if you have used WhatsApp before, you can tap an existing conversation on your chats page.
  5. This creates a new message to that contact.
    • If you need to add contacts manually, tap New Contact at the top and enter the contacts name and phone number. Then tap Save .
    • To send the message to more than one person, select New Group at the top. Then select the contacts you want to message.
  6. Tap the message field at the bottom of the conversation to open the keyboard, then type what you want.
    • You can also tap and hold the microphone icon to record an audio message. [2] This option will only appear if you do not have text entered in the message field.
    • Tap the smiley face icon to insert emoji into your message.
  7. To attach a file, your location, another person's contact information, or something from your gallery, tap the paperclip icon near the top-right corner, and then make your selection. The following are the types of attachments you can send: [3]
    • Document : This option lets you attach a file from your phone, tablet, or linked cloud account.
    • Camera: This will bring up the camera to take a picture/video to add to your message.
      • You may be prompted to allow WhatsApp to access your Android's camera before using this feature.
    • Gallery: This lets you choose a photo or video from your photo gallery.
    • Audio: This allows you to record or attach an audio message, similar to the microphone button.
    • Location: This shares your current or entered location in the message.
    • Contact: This shares the stored information of one of your contacts in the message.
    • Poll: This allows you to create a poll that your chat participants can vote on.
    • Event: This allows you to share information about an event, including the event name, location, date, time, and place.
    • AI Images: This allows you to generate AI images you can share in the chat.
  8. It's the green paper airplane icon at the bottom-right corner. This sends your message to the selected contact(s).
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Computer or Web Browser

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  1. If you haven't already done so, you can install the app from [4] . Click the Download button in the upper-right corner.
    • You can also download the WhatsApp desktop application from the Microsoft Store.
    • For more information on installing WhatsApp, see How to Use WhatsApp on a Computer .
    • Alternatively, you can use WhatsApp in a desktop web browser by going to [5]
  2. 2
    Log in to WhatsApp. To log in, open the WhatsApp app on your mobile device, tap the icon with three dots ( â‹® ) (Android) or the Settings icon (iPhone). Tap Link a Device . Allow WhatsApp to use your camera and use your camera to scan the QR code on your computer screen.
  3. 3
    Click the new message icon. The icon either resembles pencil and paper (desktop app) or a speech box with a plus sign (+) in the middle. It’s in the upper-right corner of your contacts list to the left.
  4. This creates a new message to that contact.
    • If you'd rather send a group message, click New Group at the top instead, and then enter your recipients.
    • If you are using the desktop app, you can click the icon that resembles a 10-digit dialpad and enter the phone number of the person you wish to start a chat with.
  5. Click the Type a message field at the bottom of the app, and then type your message.
    • You can click the microphone to record an audio message. This option will only appear at the bottom-right corner if you haven't entered text.
    • Click the smiley face icon to the left of the typing area if you want to insert an emoji.
  6. 6
    Attach media to the message (optional). Click the paperclip icon, or the plus (+) button in the lower-left corner next to where you type your messages. Select the type of attachment you want to attach. The types of attachments you can send are as follows:
    • Photos & videos: This allows you to select a photo or video file to send.
    • Camera: This allows you to take a photo with your webcam and send it.
    • Document: This allows you to attach a document such as a PDF or a Word document.
    • Contact: This allows you to send another contact’s information.
    • Poll: This allows you to create a poll that your chat participants can vote on.
    • Event: This allows you to share an event, including the date, time, and location.
    • Drawing: This opens up a white sheet you can use to draw on and markup. You can then send the drawing as an attachment.
  7. It's the outline of a paper airplane at the bottom-right corner of the window. Your message will appear in the conversation and be delivered to the selected recipient(s).
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      Tips

      • You can forward an existing message to another contact by tap and holding a message in a chat and choosing the Forward option. [6]
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      Warnings

      • WhatsApp has ended support for devices that run KaiOS. KaiOS users should copy their information to another device, as there is no reliable way to back up or restore from these devices. [7]
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      • According to social media expert Naveh Ben Dror, if someone has blocked you on WhatsApp, your messages will not reach them. You will only see one checkmark below their message.[v162494_b01]. 21 December 2023
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      References

      1. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/453914586839706/
      2. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/android/chats/how-to-send-voice-messages
      3. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/android/chats/how-to-send-media
      4. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/download
      5. ↑ https://web.whatsapp.com/
      6. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/android/23112542
      7. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/420008397294796

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Tap the Chats tab.
      2. Tap the New Chat icon at the top-right.
      3. Select a recipient.
      4. Enter your message.
      5. Include an attachment if desired.
      6. Tap the paper airplane to send.

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