This article shows you how to download and install the WhatsApp application on iOS and Android devices and how to use the web version on a computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: iOS devices
Step 1. Go to the Apple App Store
It features a light blue icon with a white "A" inside. You should find it on your device's Home screen.
Step 2. Press the Search button
It features a small magnifying glass and is located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3. Tap the search field named "Search"
It is located at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Type the whatsapp keyword into the search bar, then press the Search button located in the lower right corner of the screen
Step 5. Press the Get button located on the right of the WhatsApp app
The icon of the latter is green and is characterized by a cartoon inside which there is a telephone handset.
If you have already downloaded the WhatsApp app previously, the button in question will feature a cloud icon with an arrow pointing down inside. By pressing this button you will start the WhatsApp download procedure
Step 6. Press the Install button when prompted
It will be displayed in place of the previous button "Get".
Step 7. If prompted, enter your Apple ID login password
If you've recently signed into the App Store using your Apple ID, you won't need to do so now.
If your device supports it, you can also sign in with Touch ID
Step 8. Wait for the application download to complete, then press the Open button
The latter is located on the right of the WhatsApp inscription. This will launch the application that will allow you to perform the initial setup procedure.
Step 9. Press the OK or Allow button of any pop-up window that appears
This step is to authorize the WhatsApp app to access your device contacts and send you notifications.
Step 10. Tap Accept and Continue
It is located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 11. At this point, type in the mobile number you want to associate with the WhatsApp account, then press the Finish button
You will need to type the number into the text field that appears in the center of the screen. Remember that the "Finish" button is located in the upper right corner of the GUI.
Step 12. Press the Yes button when prompted
WhatsApp will send you a confirmation code via SMS to the indicated mobile number.
If you don't have a mobile number that can receive SMS, choose the option "Call me". This way you will receive a voice call, made by an auto responder, in which you will be notified of the verification code.
Step 13. Press the Home button, then open the Messages app
It is characterized by a green icon with a white balloon inside.
Step 14. Read the text message received from the WhatsApp team
Inside you will find a sentence similar to "Your WhatsApp verification code is [six-digit number]…".
Step 15. Enter the six-digit verification code on the WhatsApp screen
If the number is correct, the WhatsApp application will allow you to finish configuring your profile.
Step 16. Type your name
Do this in the appropriate text field located in the center of the screen.
- If you wish, you can also add a picture to your profile using the same screen.
- If there is a previous WhatsApp backup on the device, you will have the option to restore your chat history by pressing the button "Reset" located in the upper right corner of the screen. This feature is only available if you have used WhatsApp on your device before.
Step 17. Press the Finish button
The WhatsApp app is installed and configured correctly on your iPhone, so you just have to start using it!
Method 2 of 3: Android devices
Step 1. Launch the Google Play Store
It features a white icon with a multicolored triangle inside. You can find it in the "Applications" panel.
Step 2. Tap the magnifying glass icon
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Type the whatsapp keyword into the search bar, then press the Enter key on the virtual keyboard
This will perform a search for the WhatsApp app in the Play Store. The program icon should appear at the top of the results list that will be displayed on the screen.
Step 4. Select the "WhatsApp Messenger" item
This will display the page with the detailed information of the WhatsApp application.
Step 5. Press the Install button to start the installation
It is located at the top right of the screen.
Step 6. At this point, press the Accept button when prompted
It is located at the bottom of the small pop-up window that appeared. This will start the WhatsApp download on your Android device.
Step 7. Wait for the WhatsApp download to finish, then press the Open button
It will appear on the right side of the screen when the download is complete. Now you can proceed with the configuration of WhatsApp.
Step 8. Press the Accept and Continue button
It is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Step 9. Enter the mobile number you wish to associate with the WhatsApp profile
To do this, use the text field in the center of the screen.
Step 10. Press the OK button when prompted
The WhatsApp team will send an SMS with the verification code to the indicated mobile number.
If you don't have a mobile number that can receive SMS, choose the option "Call me". This way you will receive a voice call, made by an auto responder, in which you will be notified of the verification code.
Step 11. Launch your device's "Messages" app
Inside you should find the new SMS you just received.
Step 12. Read the text message received from the WhatsApp team
It will contain a phrase similar to "Your WhatsApp verification code is [six-digit number] but you can simply select this link to verify the device".
Step 13. Enter the six-digit verification code on the WhatsApp screen
If the number is correct, the WhatsApp application will allow you to start the process of creating your user profile.
Step 14. Type in the name and picture you wish to associate with the profile
It is not mandatory to add a picture to your profile, but it will be useful for other users to identify your identity (especially if you have used an invented name).
- If you have used WhatsApp before, you will have the option to restore your chat history using one of the backup files on your device.
- If you wish, you can also use the link "Use Facebook information" to automatically upload the name and profile picture associated with your Facebook account.
Step 15. Press the Next button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. At this point the WhatsApp app is installed and configured correctly on your Android device, so you just have to start using it!
Method 3 of 3: Desktop and Laptop Computers
Step 1. Log in to the official WhatsApp website using a computer
To do this, connect to the URL https://www.whatsapp.com/. From this address you can download the version of WhatsApp for Windows and Mac computers.
In order to log in and use the desktop version of WhatsApp, you must already have an account that you use via the mobile app
Step 2. Select the Mac or Windows PC link
It is located in the lower left part of the web page that has appeared.
Step 3. Now press the green Download button
Find it on the right side of the page. This will ask you where you want to save the WhatsApp installation file.
Depending on the architecture of your computer, the download button will be labeled "Download for Windows (64-Bit)" or "Download for Mac OS X"
Step 4. Wait for the download of the installation file to complete, then double-click the file to start the wizard
If you haven't changed the save folder, the file will automatically download into the "Download" folder, which should be the default for this type of task.
Step 5. Wait for the WhatsApp installation to finish
At this point you will see the program icon (a white telephone handset on a green background) appear on the desktop.
During the installation of WhatsApp you will see a white window appear on the screen with green illustrations, which will explain some of the features offered by the platform
Step 6. If the program does not start automatically after installation is complete, double-click its icon
This will bring up the login screen where there will be a QR code.
Step 7. Launch the WhatsApp app on your mobile device
If you have not already installed the program on your iOS or Android device, you will need to do so now in order to continue and use the desktop version.
Step 8. Activate the WhatsApp App QR Code Scanner
Depending on the type of device you are using, you will need to follow these instructions to start the QR code scanner.
- IOS devices: Select the button "Settings" located in the lower right corner of the screen, then choose the option "WhatsApp Web" located at the top of the menu appeared.
- Android systems: touch the icon ⋮, then choose the item WhatsApp Web that you find in the menu that appeared.
Step 9. Place your device's camera in front of the QR code displayed on your computer screen
After a few moments, WhatsApp will scan the code authorizing your computer to access your profile. At this point you should be able to use the program directly from your computer.
- If the validity of the QR code has expired, click the small arrow located in the center of the box showing the code or refresh the browser page.
- If the QR code is not scanned correctly, be sure to frame it entirely with your device's camera. To do this, you may need to increase the distance between the mobile device and the computer screen.
