Whatsapp how does it work

After downloading the app, you'll notice you need your phone number to create your account. Unlike some other platforms, WhatsApp doesn't use special usernames. Instead, WhatsApp identifies people by their number. This means anyone who uses WhatsApp is automatically added to your contact list, which makes set up a breeze.

Once you're up and running, you'll want to get familiar with what you can do with WhatsApp, from making international calls to sending voice messages. Starting a chat is easy: In the app, select the "Chats" icon from the menu at the bottom of the screen, then select the "New Chat" icon in the top right corner. From there, you'll just need to select a contact. If you're keen on getting a group chat started, you can host up to participants.

Conversely, you may want to know how to join a specific WhatsApp group chat. There are several ways to make calls on WhatsApp, though you can only place a call from the mobile app version of WhatsApp, not the desktop version. You can place individual calls or group calls, in both audio or video, for free on WhatsApp. As mentioned, free worldwide calling to family and friends is WhatsApp's most popular feature. As we outlined in our guide to using WhatsApp internationally , if you have access to Wi-Fi, you'll never have to worry about international restrictions or fees.

Even if you use WhatsApp without a Wi-Fi connection, you'll simply be dipping into your data usage, rather than accumulating SMS or cellular charges. And with so many mobile plans today offering unlimited data, you might not even need to worry about finding Wi-Fi access. WhatsApp is a convenient and free way to send all kinds of media to your friends and family. You can send photos and videos via any individual or group chat, and because WhatsApp uses the internet rather than a cellular-data network, the images will maintain their original resolution quality.

In any individual or group chat on WhatsApp, you can send voice messages — a convenient feature if you're not able to type text, or if you prefer to record your voice to get your point across. To send a voice message, go to any WhatsApp chat, and hold down the microphone icon to the right of the type text box.

You'll see the timer begin to tick upward as you record. Once you release your finger from the button, your message will immediately send. Read more about sending voice messages on WhatsApp. Now that you've got the basics down, WhatsApp offers a lot of features for managing your contacts and conversations.

For example, you may notice one or two check marks appear beside your messages on WhatsApp. The number and color of the check marks indicate whether your message has been sent, delivered or read.

Manage your data and storage usage from the "Settings" menu in WhatsApp. This is when it pays to keep a close eye on your settings.

If you're not a business, there's no need to download this separate app. You can continue using your WhatsApp Messenger account for free to talk to friends, family and businesses. How can we help you? General Account and Profile. What is WhatsApp Business? However, in May hackers managed to remotely install surveillance software on a select number of phones and other devices via a major vulnerability in the code.

WhatsApp hurriedly responded to the attack with an update that prevents your phone being a target - here's how to stay ahead of the hackers by making sure your WhatsApp is up to date:.

If it has already updated, the button will instead say 'Open', in which case you don't need to do anything further. Download WhatsApp on Android. Saga Home Insurance provides cover that goes beyond what you might expect. For more information and to get a quote click here. The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated.

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Search Magazine. What Is Whatsapp, how does it work and how do I use it? The rise in popularity of WhatsApp Luckily, the likelihood of the person on the other end of the phone also having WhatsApp is getting bigger each day; in February WhatsApp announced it had hit one billion users — a few weeks after it announced it was going to provide a totally free service.

Uses of WhatsApp WhatsApp is used for messaging - either one-on-one or as groups, and can also be used to make video calls and telephone calls using your data or WiFi instead of your minutes. Is WhatsApp free? How does WhatsApp work?