Where to get WhatsApp and what it costs

WhatsApp is free to download and use. You get it from your phone's official app store — the App Store if you have an iPhone, or Google Play if you have an Android phone. The app itself costs nothing, and there are no hidden fees to send messages or make calls over WiFi or mobile data.

WhatsApp is owned by Meta (the company behind Facebook). The app works on phones running iOS 12 or newer on iPhones, or Android 5.0 or newer on Android phones. If your phone is older than that, the app won't install, and you'll need to update your phone's operating system first or use a newer device.

Key Takeaways

  • Download WhatsApp from the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android — never from a third-party website.
  • The app is free and requires only your phone number to set up; you don't need a separate username or password.
  • WhatsApp will ask permission to access your contacts, camera, microphone, and location — you can refuse any of these and the app will still work for messaging.
  • Your phone number is how people find you on WhatsApp, so you'll need an active phone number that can receive text messages during setup.

Step-by-step download for iPhone

Open the App Store on your iPhone. Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type "WhatsApp" in the search box. The official WhatsApp app will appear — it has a green icon with a white phone symbol. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to it to download the app.

Wait for the download to finish. The cloud icon will change to "Open". Tap "Open" to launch WhatsApp for the first time. You'll be asked to verify your phone number by entering it and then confirming a code that WhatsApp sends to you by text message. After that, you can start messaging.

Step-by-step download for Android

Open Google Play on your Android phone. Tap the search icon at the bottom (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type "WhatsApp" in the search box. The official WhatsApp app will appear — it has a green icon with a white phone symbol. Tap the "Install" button.

Google Play will ask for permission to install the app on your device. Tap "Install" again to confirm. Wait for the download and installation to finish. Once it's done, tap "Open" to launch WhatsApp. You'll enter your phone number and confirm a code sent to you by text message, then you're ready to use it.

Permissions WhatsApp will ask for

When you first open WhatsApp, the app will ask permission to access your contacts, camera, microphone, location, and photos. These permissions let WhatsApp do specific things — the camera permission lets you take photos to send, the microphone permission lets you make voice calls, and the contacts permission lets WhatsApp show you which of your existing contacts are already using WhatsApp.

You don't have to grant all of these permissions for WhatsApp to work. You can refuse any of them, and WhatsApp will still let you send text messages. If you refuse the contacts permission, you'll just have to type in phone numbers manually instead of picking from your contact list. You can change these permissions later in your phone's Settings app if you change your mind.

Why you should only download from official app stores

WhatsApp is sometimes offered on third-party websites or app stores that are not the official App Store or Google Play. These unofficial versions may contain malware or spyware that can steal your messages, contacts, or passwords. Downloading from the official app store protects you because Apple and Google check apps before they're listed and remove ones that are malicious.

The official WhatsApp app is always free. If a website is asking you to pay for WhatsApp or offering it as a download file, that's a sign it's not legitimate. Stick to the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android.

What to do if the download fails

If the download stops or won't start, first check that you have a working internet connection — WiFi or mobile data. Try closing the App Store or Google Play completely and opening it again. Then search for WhatsApp and try downloading once more.

If it still doesn't work, restart your phone and try again. If you're running out of storage space on your phone, the download may fail — check your phone's storage in Settings and delete files or apps you don't need. If you're still having trouble after these steps, you can contact Apple Support (for iPhone) or Google Support (for Android) with the error message you're seeing.

Setting up WhatsApp after you download it

After you open WhatsApp for the first time, you'll enter your phone number in the format your country uses. WhatsApp will send a text message with a six-digit code to that number. Enter the code in the app to confirm you own that phone number. This is how WhatsApp knows it's really you.

Next, you'll choose a profile name and photo if you want to. Then WhatsApp will scan your contacts and show you which people you know are already using WhatsApp. You can start messaging anyone on that list right away. Your phone number is how people find you — they'll see your name and photo when they message you, but they won't see your password because WhatsApp doesn't use passwords the way email does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Facebook account to use WhatsApp?

No. WhatsApp only needs your phone number. You don't need a Facebook account, email address, or username. WhatsApp and Facebook are both owned by Meta, but they're separate apps with separate accounts.

Can I download WhatsApp on a tablet or computer?

WhatsApp works on tablets and computers, but you still need a phone number to set it up. On a tablet or computer, you download WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop, and it connects to your phone. Your phone has to be on and connected to the internet for it to work.

What if I don't want to give WhatsApp permission to access my contacts?

You can refuse the contacts permission when you first open the app. You'll just have to type in phone numbers manually or copy and paste them instead of picking from your contact list. WhatsApp will still work for messaging and calls.

Is WhatsApp safe to download?

WhatsApp is safe when you download it from the official App Store or Google Play. The app uses encryption, which means your messages are scrambled so only you and the person you're messaging can read them. However, like any app, it collects some data about how you use it — you can read WhatsApp's privacy policy in the app settings to see what information it keeps.

Can I use WhatsApp without giving it my real phone number?

No. WhatsApp requires a real, working phone number that can receive text messages. This is how the app verifies your identity and prevents spam. You can't use a fake number or a number that doesn't receive texts.