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
- 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
~40 min read
Article
61 sectionsContents
- 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)