WhatsApp

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ConceptQ1049511· pop 133· linked from 1,790 articles

Also known as Whatsapp.com, WA Messenger, Wa.me

WhatsApp Messenger, commonly known simply as WhatsApp, is an American social media, instant messaging (IM), and Voice over IP (VoIP) service accessible via desktop and mobile app. Owned by Meta Platforms, the service allows users to send text messages, voice messages, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. The service requires a cellular mobile telephone number to register. WhatsApp was launched in May 2009. In January 2018, WhatsApp released a standalone business app called WhatsApp Business which can communicate with th

AI overview

WhatsApp is a messaging and calling app owned by Meta that lets users send text, voice, and video messages, make calls, and share files and photos using internet connection instead of traditional phone services. It matters because it's a widely-used alternative to standard texting and calling that works across devices and countries, making communication cheaper and more flexible for billions of people worldwide.

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Key facts

Software.name: WhatsApp
Software.title: WhatsApp Messenger
Software.logo_upright: 0.6
Software.collapsible: no
Software.screenshot: WhatsApp on Android screenshot.png
Software.screenshot alt: Screenshot depicting WhatsApp's home screen in 2025
Software.caption: Screenshot depicting WhatsApp's home screen in 2025
Software.author: Brian Acton, Jan Koum
Software.developer: Meta Platforms, Will Cathcart (Head of WhatsApp)
Software.ver layout: stacked
Software.programming language: Erlang
Software.operating system: Android, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, Wear OS, Meta Quest, watchOS
Software.size: 183.7 MB (iOS) 48.02 MB (Android)
Software.genre: Social media, instant messaging, VoIP
Software.language count: 40 (iOS) and 60 (Android)
Software.license: Proprietary software with EULA"European Region""others"

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Encyclopedic overview

61 sections

Contents

History
2009–2014
2014–2015
2016–2019
Since 2020
Features
Presence
General texting
Voice and video calling and notes
File sharing
Security and encryption
Linked and multi-device support
Stickers and avatars
Communities and Channels
Artificial intelligence
Parent-managed accounts
About
Platform support
Linked devices
WhatsApp Web
Windows and Mac
iPad
Smartwatches
Technical
End-to-end encryption
WhatsApp Payments
India
Facebook/WhatsApp cryptocurrency project, 2019–2022
Controversies and criticism
Misinformation
Murders in India
2018 elections in Brazil
Security and privacy
UK institutions
Mods and fake versions
WhatsApp snooping scandal
Jeff Bezos phone hack
FBI
Tek Fog
Terrorism
Scams and malware
Bans
China
Iran
Turkey
Brazil
Uganda
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Cuba
Switzerland
Zambia
Saudi Arabia
Russia
Third-party clients
WhatsApp Business
User statistics
Specific markets
Competition
See also
References
External links

Preview release(s) [±]

Written inErlang Operating systemAndroid, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, Wear OS, Meta Quest, watchOS Size183.7 MB (iOS)

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “WhatsApp” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

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