Messaging apps are disparate and confusing, with everyone using different systems to communicate with each other. But if there’s one messaging app that almost everyone, from teenagers to seniors, almost certainly has installed on their smartphones, it’s WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is a messaging service that is part of the Meta stable, owned by the same company as Facebook. Great for sending texts, photos, videos, and other files, and lets you talk to people one-on-one or in groups. It is also used for voice and video calls, making it much more versatile than SMS. This is a very easy app to install and use, but as you can see, it has its quirks.
What is WhatsApp used for?
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging services in the world, and its ubiquity is one of its greatest strengths.
While rival service iMessage only works on AppleAAPL devices, WhatsApp is nearly universal and works on iPhone, Android, Windows PC, Mac, and even from a web browser. In fact, you’re better off finding a modern computing device that doesn’t have access to WhatsApp.
Not only is it available on billions of devices, but it’s available worldwide. And unlike services like SMS, there are no additional charges for sending messages to someone in another country. You can send messages to anyone on your network as long as you have an active data connection.
If a simple text message isn’t enough, you can also make voice and video calls via WhatsApp. This is also a great way to avoid exorbitant international call charges.
If the person you’re calling isn’t available for live chat, you can leave an audio or video message so you don’t have to type long messages on your phone’s keyboard.
Photos, GIFs, documents, contacts, and other files can also be sent via WhatsApp. If you meet someone in the real world, you can also use WhatsApp to share your location, which can help you locate each other at crowded events like concerts or sports games.
In some countries, such as India, Brazil, and Singapore, you can also use WhatsApp to pay businesses or send money to friends and family by linking your bank account to the service.
How does WhatsApp work?
Although you don’t always need a phone to use it, your WhatsApp account is linked to your mobile phone number. Your account is tied to your phone number, so if you buy a new phone, you can only run WhatsApp on one phone at a time.
Once you download the app (see below) and register for an account, the app will suck in all your contacts from your phone. You will then be able to see which of your contacts have her WhatsApp and send messages directly from within the app. A relatively recently introduced feature also allows you to send her WhatsApp messages to people who are not yet in your contacts.
WhatsApp requires an active data connection to use, but you can use either cellular data or Wi-Fi. You can also use WhatsApp on multiple devices at the same time. This means you can run the WhatsApp app on your computer and your phone and have messages automatically synced between the two.
The browser-based version of WhatsApp, also known as WhatsApp Web, has limitations. This version does not allow you to make voice or video calls. To do so, you’ll need to download the full app for Mac or Windows.
There are also restrictions on editing messages. WhatsApp messages can only be edited for 15 minutes after being sent. If you miss the edit window, you can still delete the message, although the recipient may have read it by then. Her two blue checkmarks next to the message indicate that the recipient has seen the message or that everyone in the group has read it.
Speaking of groups, you should be aware that WhatsApp categories have a slightly confusing hierarchy. these are:
- Channel-Updates pushed by organizations such as forbes, New York Times NYT or BBC. These are one-way messaging channels, and you can’t reply to them other than by adding emojis to your posts. WhatsApp app[更新]You can subscribe to our WhatsApp channel from the section.
- community-These are similar to channels, but are designed for smaller organizations such as sports clubs or neighborhoods. Anyone can send messages in the community, but messages from administrators are given more weight.
- group-It’s designed for small groups or friends, where anyone can contribute, and there’s no real hierarchy, although admins can exclude users from groups.
With all these activities, you will quickly realize that you have tons of useful messages locked up in WhatsApp. Therefore, it is wise to back them up. If you move to a new phone without backup, you may lose all your previous messages, which can be very inconvenient. To create a backup, open your WhatsApp settings and[チャット],[チャット バックアップ]Click to see various options such as creating automatic daily backups.
Is WhatsApp safe?
No messaging app is perfect or immune to attack. However, WhatsApp has a number of strong security features that keep your messages relatively safe.
Key protection is end-to-end encryption. In a nutshell, this prevents WhatsApp itself from being able to read the contents of your messages (with a few exceptions), and it also prevents anyone from intercepting data on your internet connection. End-to-end encryption is automatically applied to every one-on-one or group conversation on WhatsApp, so you don’t have to worry about turning it on.
Voice and video calls are also encrypted, so there’s no risk of them being intercepted.
However, it is unwise to assume that what is said in a WhatsApp conversation will never be leaked. Any member of a WhatsApp conversation can, for example, export all messages and media from the conversation and publish it elsewhere. Participants can take and share screenshots. Audio or video conversations may be recorded on another device.
This means that anything you post on WhatsApp can easily fall outside the scope of the service. This is not the place to share sensitive personal information or business-sensitive data.
It is also unwise to assume that the details of your WhatsApp conversations will not be shared with law enforcement or other third parties. This WhatsApp information page explains what information may be shared with law enforcement, including your name, the IP address from which you use the app, group memberships, contacts, and email addresses. I will explain.
It’s also worth noting that WhatsApp doesn’t save messages once they’ve been delivered, but it can save undelivered messages for up to 30 days.
How to download WhatsApp
WhatsApp can be easily downloaded and installed from major mobile and desktop app stores, as described below. You don’t even need to install WhatsApp to use it on your computer.
As explained above, it is also possible to install WhatsApp on multiple devices at the same time. This means you don’t have to take your phone out of your pocket every time you receive a message.
Download WhatsApp for mobile
WhatsApp is available for free download from both the iPhone App Store and Android’s Google Play Store. Just click on the link provided and follow the installation instructions on your device.
WhatsApp runs on almost any currently supported iPhone or Android handset, so you don’t have to worry about system requirements.
WhatsApp can only be used on one phone at a time, so if you have both an Android and an iOS device, install the app on your primary phone.
Your WhatsApp contacts will be automatically filled in from your phone’s contacts, but you’ll probably need to give the app access to your contacts first.
The mobile app includes[設定]open it[プライバシー]There are a number of privacy features worth clicking and considering. For example, you can limit who can see your profile picture, turn off read notifications (so people know you read their messages), or remove messages from chats after a certain amount of time. You can also set a default timer to turn off. set period.
Once everything is set to your liking, you can press the green chat bubble to start a new conversation, new group, or even a new community. If your friends are already in the girlfriend’s WhatsApp group that you want to join, you need to ask one of them to invite you to the group.
Download WhatsApp for desktop
There is a free WhatsApp app for Windows and Mac, which you can download here.
This is a very basic app that can run on any computer, allowing you to install WhatsApp on both Mac and Windows PC at the same time.
If you’re using your work computer or someone else’s PC, you don’t even need to install the app. WhatsApp Web can be used from any web browser, and relatively recent changes have made it possible to use it across multiple web browsers as well. Setting this up requires scanning a QR code from his WhatsApp app on your phone, but it only takes a few seconds.
If you are using a shared computer, be sure to log out of your session when you are finished. To do this, click on the three dots icon in the left pane of WhatsApp Web,[ログアウト]Choose.
No need to worry about syncing messages between mobile and desktop. Everything is handled automatically. However, there are some features that are missing from the desktop and WhatsApp web versions.
For example, you can’t share your location from the desktop app, and communities aren’t supported yet. WhatsApp Web does not allow you to make video calls or make phone calls.
conclusion
It’s easy to see why WhatsApp is popular. It’s free, available everywhere, available on almost all devices, and relatively safe. However, never assume that the contents of your WhatsApp conversations remain completely private. Also, don’t use WhatsApp to share sensitive information.
follow me twitter Or LinkedIn. check out my website.