Learning how to use WhatsApp is one of the most useful things you can do if friends or family keep asking you to join. WhatsApp is a free messaging app owned by Meta that lets you send texts, photos, and voice notes, and make voice and video calls over the internet, so you avoid regular SMS and call charges. It works over Wi-Fi or mobile data on almost any smartphone.
WhatsApp is popular because it is simple, works internationally, and protects your chats with end-to-end encryption, which means only you and the person you are messaging can read them. In this beginner’s guide you will set up your account, send your first message, start a group, make a video call, and lock down the privacy settings that matter most.
Setting Up WhatsApp
WhatsApp is free on the App Store and Google Play, and there is also a desktop app and web version you can link later. Your account is tied to your phone number, and you can only use one number per account.
Verify your phone number
When you open the app, enter your phone number. WhatsApp sends a six-digit code by text to confirm the number is yours. Enter that code, then add your name and, if you like, a profile photo. WhatsApp will offer to sync your phone contacts so you can see which of them already use the app.
Find the main tabs
The app is organized into a few tabs: Chats for your conversations, Updates for Status and Channels, Communities for grouped chats, and Calls for your call history. Most of your time will be spent in the Chats tab.
- Install WhatsApp. Download it from your app store and open it.
- Agree and verify. Accept the terms, enter your phone number, and type the code you receive.
- Set up your profile. Add your name and an optional profile photo.
- Allow contact access. Let WhatsApp find contacts who already use the app.
- Start a chat. Tap the new chat icon, pick a contact, type a message, and send.
- Try a call. Open a chat and tap the phone or video icon to call.
- Check your privacy. Review who can see your photo, last seen, and status.
Sending Messages and Making Calls
To send a message, tap the new chat icon (usually a pencil or a speech bubble with a plus), choose a contact, type in the box at the bottom, and tap the send arrow. You can attach photos, videos, documents, your location, and contacts using the paperclip or plus icon, and hold the microphone icon to record a voice note.
Understand the check marks
Those small ticks next to your messages tell you their status. One gray check means the message was sent, two gray checks mean it was delivered to the other phone, and two blue checks mean the person has read it. If read receipts are turned off, you will not see the blue checks.
Voice and video calls
Open any chat and tap the phone icon for a voice call or the camera icon for a video call. Because calls travel over the internet, they are free beyond the data they use. You can add more people to turn a call into a group call.
- Voice notes for quick, hands-free replies.
- Status updates that disappear after 24 hours.
- Starred messages to save important info.
- Chat backups to Google Drive or iCloud.
- Sharing verification codes with anyone.
- Clicking links from unknown numbers.
- Forwarding unverified news or chain messages.
- Joining groups from people you do not know.
Groups, Status, and Extra Features
Groups let you chat with several people at once, which is ideal for families, events, or clubs. To create one, tap the new chat icon and choose New group, add participants, give the group a name, and start messaging. Only admins can change certain settings, and you can leave any group whenever you like.
Status and Channels
The Status feature lets you post photos, videos, or text that disappear after 24 hours, similar to Stories on other apps. Channels are one-way broadcasts you can follow to get updates from organizations or public figures, and following one does not reveal your number to them.
| Feature | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Chats | One-to-one text messaging | Everyday conversations |
| Groups | Chat with many people at once | Families and events |
| Voice/Video call | Free internet calls | Staying in touch abroad |
| Status | Updates that vanish in 24 hours | Casual sharing |
| Channels | Follow one-way broadcasts | News and updates |
Privacy and Security Settings
Every personal chat and call on WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted by default, so no one, not even WhatsApp, can read them. Beyond that, open Settings > Privacy to control who can see your profile photo, last seen, online status, and status updates. You can choose Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody for many of these.
You can also block and report any contact, turn on disappearing messages so chats auto-delete after a set time, and use chat lock to hide sensitive conversations behind your fingerprint or face. For more walkthroughs, browse our other how-to guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WhatsApp really free?
Yes. WhatsApp is free to download and use for messaging and calls; you only pay for the mobile data or Wi-Fi you use. There are no subscription fees for personal accounts and no charges for international messages or calls.
Do both people need WhatsApp to chat?
Yes. WhatsApp only works between people who both have the app installed and verified with a phone number. If you message a contact who is not on WhatsApp, the app will offer to send them an invite by text.
Are my messages private?
Personal chats and calls are protected with end-to-end encryption by default, meaning only you and the recipient can read or hear them. WhatsApp cannot access the content of your conversations, and neither can anyone who intercepts them.
Can I use WhatsApp on my computer?
Yes. You can link WhatsApp Web or the desktop app to your phone by scanning a QR code, then chat from your computer. Newer multi-device support even lets linked devices work when your phone is offline.
What happens if I get a new phone?
Install WhatsApp on the new phone and verify the same number. If you set up a backup to Google Drive or iCloud beforehand, you can restore your chat history during setup. Turning on two-step verification adds extra protection during this process.
