How to download and install WhatsApp on iPhone: set up your account
Install WhatsApp from the App Store by tapping Get, then open it, agree to the terms, enter your phone number and the six digit code. If you used WhatsApp before, you can restore chats from an iCloud backup.
Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash
WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging apps in the world, and installing it on an iPhone takes about five minutes. The steps are the same on every recent iPhone: get the app from the App Store, verify your phone number, and set up your name. This guide shows each step, and covers what to do if the code does not arrive, if you want to bring over your old chats, or if the install fails. WhatsApp changes its screens from time to time, so the wording may differ slightly.
What do you need before you install WhatsApp?
- An iPhone with a recent enough version of iOS. If the App Store says the app needs a newer version, update first with iOS updates.
- A phone number that can receive a text message or a call for verification.
- A working internet connection through Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- An Apple Account to download apps. Our guide to an App Store that will not load helps if it fails to sign in.
- Enough free storage. WhatsApp itself is small, but chats and media grow over time.
How do you download WhatsApp from the App Store?
Install WhatsApp
- 1
Open the App Store and tap Search.
The magnifying glass at the bottom.
- 2
Type WhatsApp and look for WhatsApp Messenger.
Check the developer name before you download. Copycat apps use similar names and icons.
- 3
Tap Get, then confirm.
Use Face ID, Touch ID or your Apple Account password. If you downloaded it before, the button shows a cloud icon.
- 4
Wait for the download to finish and tap Open.
The green icon with a white phone also appears on your Home Screen.
How do you set up WhatsApp after installing?
Verify your number and create your profile
- 1
Tap Agree and Continue.
Read the terms if you want to.
- 2
Choose your country and type your phone number.
Check it carefully, then tap Done.
- 3
Enter the six digit verification code.
WhatsApp sends it by text message or by a phone call. Do not share this code with anyone.
- 4
Add your name and a profile photo.
Your contacts see this name. You can change it later in Settings.
- 5
Allow contacts and notifications when asked.
WhatsApp finds friends who already use it through your contacts. Notifications let you see new messages.
How do you restore your old chats?
If you used WhatsApp on an iPhone before and backed up to iCloud, verify the same phone number with the same Apple Account, then tap Restore Chat History when WhatsApp offers it. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and power while it restores. If the backup is stuck, see a WhatsApp backup that is stuck. Messages and media that were never backed up cannot be restored, so turn on backups in WhatsApp under Settings › Chats › Chat Backup.
Can you bring WhatsApp chats over from an Android phone?
Yes, in many cases. During iPhone setup, the Move to iOS app on the Android phone can transfer WhatsApp chats, along with other data. You need to use the same phone number and follow WhatsApp’s on-screen steps. Our guide to moving from Android to iPhone explains the process, and the order matters, so read it before you wipe your old phone.
What if you do not get the verification code?
- Check the number: a wrong digit is the most common cause.
- Wait and request a call: WhatsApp can phone you with the code if the text does not arrive.
- Check signal and filters: make sure you have service, and look in Messages for a message that went to unknown senders or the spam folder.
- Restart and try again: restart the iPhone and request a new code. Too many tries can make you wait before you can ask again.
If you are not receiving any texts at all, see an iPhone that is not receiving texts.
What if WhatsApp will not install or open?
If the install stalls, check that you have free storage, update iOS and restart the phone. If the App Store will not load, fix that first. If WhatsApp installs but will not open or keeps crashing, see WhatsApp problems. If you are not getting message alerts, see WhatsApp notifications not working.
Is it safe to use unofficial or modified versions of WhatsApp?
No. Only install WhatsApp from the App Store. Modified or unofficial versions, and installers from websites, can steal your messages and accounts, and WhatsApp can ban accounts that use them. Be careful with anyone who asks you to send them your verification code. A real WhatsApp code is for you only.
What should you set up after installing?
Turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp under Settings › Account, so your account is safer if someone gets your SIM. Check Settings › Privacy for who can see your photo and last seen, and turn on Chat Backup. If you hear about an account being restricted, read WhatsApp account restricted.
Quick checklist
How do you use WhatsApp on a computer or a second device?
WhatsApp lets you link other devices, such as a computer, to the same account. In WhatsApp on your iPhone, open Settings, tap Linked Devices, then Link a Device and scan the QR code shown on the other device’s screen. The phone with your number stays the main one. Support for iPad and other tablets depends on the version, so check WhatsApp’s help page for the latest.
How do you update WhatsApp?
Open the App Store, tap your profile picture and scroll to Available Updates. If WhatsApp is listed, tap Update. You can also turn on Automatic Updates in Settings › App Store. Keeping the app updated helps with security and avoids problems with new features.
How do you reinstall WhatsApp without losing chats?
First back up your chats in WhatsApp under Settings › Chats › Chat Backup › Back Up Now, and wait for it to finish. Then delete the app, install it again from the App Store, verify the same number and choose Restore Chat History. If the backup is old or missing, you will lose the chats that were not backed up.
Why is WhatsApp taking a lot of storage?
Photos, videos and voice notes build up over time. In WhatsApp, open Settings › Storage and Data › Manage Storage to see which chats use the most space and to delete large files. This also helps if you are low on space overall. See clearing iPhone storage for other ways to make room.
Is WhatsApp private and secure?
Personal messages and calls in WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default, which means only you and the person you are talking to can read them. That does not protect you from scams. Never share your verification code, be careful with links from unknown numbers, and turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp.
How much data does WhatsApp use?
Text messages use very little. Photos, videos and calls use more. To reduce data use, open Settings › Storage and Data in WhatsApp and turn on Use Less Data for Calls, and set Media Auto-Download to Wi-Fi only for photos and videos. If you pay for data by the gigabyte, see how to check data usage on iPhone.
Is there a separate app for businesses?
Yes. WhatsApp Business is a separate app in the App Store for small businesses, with tools such as quick replies and a business profile. It needs its own phone number or a number that is not used in regular WhatsApp. If you only want to chat with friends and family, install the regular WhatsApp Messenger.
- You downloaded WhatsApp Messenger from the App Store and checked the developer.
- You verified the right phone number and kept the code private.
- You restored a backup or moved chats from Android if you needed them.
- Two-step verification and Chat Backup are turned on.
- You avoided modified versions of the app.
Frequently asked questions
Is WhatsApp free to download on iPhone?
Yes. WhatsApp is free in the App Store. You need an internet connection and a phone number that can receive a text or a call.
Why won't WhatsApp install on my iPhone?
The most common reasons are an old iOS version, not enough storage, a slow connection or an Apple Account problem. Update iOS, free space and try again.
Can I use WhatsApp on iPhone without an Apple Account?
You need an Apple Account to download apps from the App Store. You can then use WhatsApp with your phone number without signing in to anything else.
How do I restore my old WhatsApp chats on a new iPhone?
Install WhatsApp, verify your number, and choose Restore Chat History when asked. This works if you backed up to iCloud with the same Apple Account and phone number.
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