WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the messaging app from Meta, and on Android it has passed ten billion installs on Google Play. Setup is short: you verify your phone number, the app reads your contacts and shows who already uses WhatsApp. There are no separate usernames or passwords, which is a big part of why it feels simple.

Personal messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted, so only the people in the chat can read or hear them. On top of text chats, the app handles voice and video calls, group chats, voice messages, live location sharing and Status updates. It also works on desktop and on Wear OS watches, which matters if you move between devices a lot.

The September 19 update and device builds

• Updated: September 19, 2026
• Version: varies with device
• Requires Android: varies with device
• Developer: WhatsApp LLC
• Installs: 10,000,000,000+

Google Play data as of September 26, 2026

How the new group features change things

Until now, a person added to a group only saw messages sent after they joined. Sharing recent history is optional, so whoever adds a member can decide case by case. It is handy for work, school or event groups where a newcomer needs context, but think twice in groups where earlier messages were meant for a smaller circle of people.

The call changes are aimed at longer group calls. Moving a call from phone to desktop means you can switch to a bigger screen and a real keyboard without hanging up and dialing again. A waiting room lets the host see who is trying to join through a shared link before letting them in, which helps when a link has been passed around.

Pinning a participant keeps one person in a bigger tile, even when others are talking. That is useful when one speaker is presenting, teaching or showing something on camera, and the rest of the group mainly needs to follow them. Since the rollout is gradual, some people in the same call may have these options while others do not see them yet.

Calls, Status and location

Voice and video calls use your internet connection rather than minutes from your plan, and a group call can include up to 32 people. WhatsApp says calls work even on slow connections, but video quality will drop when the signal is weak. Carrier data charges may still apply, so on a limited plan open Settings, then Storage and data, and turn on the option to use less data for calls.

Status posts work much like Instagram Stories: text, photo, video or GIF updates that disappear after 24 hours. You can share them with all your contacts or only with selected people, which is set in Status privacy. Live location works in individual and group chats, and you can stop sharing at any time from the same chat where you started it.

Privacy settings and backups worth checking

Your account is tied to your phone number, so turn on two-step verification in account settings. It adds a PIN that is required when your number is registered on a new phone. In privacy settings you can also limit who sees your last seen, profile photo and about text, and who is allowed to add you to groups.

Chat history is not kept in a WhatsApp cloud the way Telegram keeps its regular chats. On Android, backups go to your Google account, and you can set how often they run and whether videos are included. If you change phones or numbers, use the built-in transfer and change number options instead of starting a new account.

Chats, calls and status screens

Costs, new group calls and Wear OS

Can WhatsApp still cost me money?

There is no subscription fee, but your mobile carrier may charge for data, and in some regions verification uses an SMS.

Why don’t I see the new group call features yet?

WhatsApp rolls them out gradually over several weeks. Keep the app updated and they should reach your account over time.

What can WhatsApp do on a Wear OS watch?

Read and reply to messages, take calls and send voice messages, with tiles and complications for quick access.