Get the app, verify your number, add contacts, then lock down WhatsApp with a PIN and backups to start chatting in minutes.
New to WhatsApp? This guide walks you through download, first messages, linked devices, privacy, and backups. You’ll set things up the right way from day one and avoid the snags that trip up new users.
Getting Started On WhatsApp: First 10 Minutes
You’ll move fast with a simple sequence: install, agree to the terms, prove your number, add a name and photo, and send a first message. The table below gives a quick path on both Android and iPhone. Keep scrolling for step-by-step details, smart defaults, and safety tips.
| Step | Android | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Get the app | Open Google Play > search “WhatsApp” > Install. | Open App Store > search “WhatsApp” > Get. |
| Grant basics | Allow contacts, media, and notifications as prompted. | Allow contacts, photos, and notifications as prompted. |
| Verify number | Enter phone number > SMS or call code > continue. | Enter phone number > SMS or call code > continue. |
| Profile | Add name and picture. Pick a short, clear display name. | Add name and picture. Pick a short, clear display name. |
| First chat | Tap a contact > send text, photo, or voice note. | Tap a contact > send text, photo, or voice note. |
| Safety boost | Settings > Account > Two-step verification > set PIN. | Settings > Account > Two-step verification > set PIN. |
| Backups | Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Google Drive. | Settings > Chats > Chat backup > iCloud. |
Install And Verify On Your Phone
Download The Official App
Install WhatsApp from Google Play or the App Store. Skip any clones or modded builds. Stick to the publisher named “WhatsApp LLC” to avoid risk.
Check Device Readiness
WhatsApp lists supported platforms and versions. If your phone is too old, you’ll see prompts to upgrade. Linked tablets and wearables are also available for many users. Tip: update your OS first for a smoother setup.
Prove Your Number
Enter your mobile number, then confirm with the 6-digit code sent by SMS or a call. Do not share that code with anyone. If the app asks many times for a code you didn’t request, wait, then retry and turn on the PIN feature in the next section.
Add Contacts And Start Messaging
Find People Fast
WhatsApp can read your phone’s address book to show who’s reachable. You can also share your QR card from Settings to let someone add you with one scan. If names don’t show up, refresh contacts or grant contact access in system settings.
Send Your First Messages
Open a chat, type a greeting, and press send. Use the paperclip or + icon for photos, documents, and contacts. Tap the mic to send a voice note. Hold the camera icon for instant video messages. Press the phone or camera icon for free calls.
Start A Group Or Channel
Create a group for family or a class team, or follow a one-to-many channel for updates. Name the group clearly and pick a picture. Use invite links only with people you trust. For channels, set who can post and turn on admin approvals if needed.
Link A Computer Or Tablet
You can run WhatsApp on your laptop, desktop, iPad, or Android tablet while your phone stays online. Open the Linked Devices menu on your phone, scan the QR code on web.whatsapp.com or the desktop app, and wait for messages to sync. Recent message history is copied securely to the new device and stored locally.
Good Habits For Linked Devices
- Open the Linked Devices list and remove any device you don’t recognize.
- Turn on screen locks on every device that has chat access.
- Use the Code Verify browser add-on with WhatsApp Web for extra checks.
Protect Your Account And Chats
Turn On Two-Step Verification
Set a six-digit PIN in Settings > Account. The app will ask for this PIN when you re-register on a new phone. Add your email inside the same screen so you can reset the PIN if you forget it. Never share the PIN or the one-time SMS code with anyone.
Pick The Right Privacy Defaults
Open Settings > Privacy. Choose who can see your Last Seen, Profile Photo, About, and Status. Restrict “Groups” to “My contacts” or “My contacts except…” to limit mass invites. Turn on Disappearing Messages by default if you prefer automatic cleanup.
Lock Sensitive Threads
Use Chat Lock to move private conversations to a protected folder behind your phone’s biometric or passcode. On shared phones, this stops casual snooping from opening recent chats and media.
Back Up And Move Phones
Backups save your message history and media in your Google account on Android or in iCloud on iPhone. Turn on scheduled backups over Wi-Fi to avoid data charges, and pick “include videos” only if you have plenty of space. If you swap phones, use the platform’s built-in transfer or the app’s chat transfer tool to carry history across devices.
To learn the exact steps for cloud backups on each platform, see WhatsApp’s guide to back up your chat history. For a one-page check of privacy and safety options, try the built-in privacy checkup.
Tune Notifications And Media
Quiet Busy Chats
Mute a busy group for 8 hours, 1 week, or always. You can still read messages when you open the chat. Turn off media auto-download for cellular to save data. Use per-chat tones to spot who pinged you without looking.
Manage Photos And Storage
Open Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage to clear big videos and repeated forwards. Inside a chat, set “Media visibility” or “Save to Camera Roll” the way you like. This keeps your photo album tidy.
Safety Basics That New Users Miss
End-to-end encryption shields messages and calls from snooping. Still, scams try to trick you into handing over your codes or money. Learn the red flags early and you’ll avoid most trouble.
| Risk | What To Do | Where To Set It |
|---|---|---|
| Code-steal texts | Never share SMS codes. Turn on two-step PIN. | Settings > Account > Two-step verification. |
| Unknown linked device | Remove the device. Turn on screen locks. | Settings > Linked Devices. |
| Group spam | Limit who can add you to groups. | Settings > Privacy > Groups. |
| Open Wi-Fi computers | Use WhatsApp Web only on trusted machines. | Web/Desktop > Log out when done. |
| Exposed web session | Use the Code Verify extension. | Web browser > extension installed. |
| Sensitive chats | Move to Chat Lock and hide previews. | Open chat > Chat Lock. |
| Too much exposure | Limit Last Seen, Photo, About, Status. | Settings > Privacy. |
Feature Tips You’ll Use Every Day
Voice Notes That Land Well
Hold the mic to start, swipe up to lock, speak near the phone, then use 1.5× playback to review. You can pause and resume. If the clip sounds off, tap and re-record. For quick replies, the new short video notes can be even clearer.
Star Messages For Quick Recall
Long-press a message and tap the star. Later, open Starred Messages to find addresses, order numbers, or meeting links. This beats scrolling a long chat thread.
Search Smarter
Tap the search bar inside a chat to filter by photos, links, or docs. On the main screen, use global search to jump to a person or phrase.
Broadcast Lists Without A Group
Need to send one update to many people without a group chat? Create a broadcast list. Only contacts who saved your number will receive it, which keeps outbound blasts polite.
Troubleshooting The First Week
Can’t Get The Code
Wait for the timer, check your number format with country code, then choose “Call me.” If messages still don’t arrive, check that your phone has a signal and no SMS blockers are installed. Try again later if the app says too many codes were requested.
Contacts Don’t Appear
Open the phone’s permission settings and allow Contacts access, then refresh the contacts list inside WhatsApp. On dual-SIM phones, double-check which number you registered and which SIM holds your contacts.
Messages Don’t Send
Toggle airplane mode off and on, test Wi-Fi with a web page, then try mobile data. If your VPN or firewall blocks traffic, whitelist WhatsApp and retry. On a new phone, wait a minute after setup while background sync finishes.
Privacy And Security References
WhatsApp publishes help pages that explain device support, disappearing messages, web code checks, and more. If you want the primary sources, start here:
- Official list of compatible devices.
- How to turn disappearing messages on or off.
- About the Code Verify browser extension for WhatsApp Web.
- How to add an email to your account for recovery in Account > Email Address.
Your First Week Plan
Day 1: Install, verify, add a photo, send a hello. Day 2: Turn on the two-step PIN and add your email. Day 3: Link a laptop and test WhatsApp Web with Code Verify. Day 4: Set privacy limits for Last Seen, Photo, and Groups. Day 5: Start a group with close contacts and pin it. Day 6: Tidy storage and turn on weekly backups over Wi-Fi. Day 7: Review linked devices and sign out of any shared computer.
Mini Glossary For New Users
Two-Step Verification
A PIN that protects re-registration of your number on new phones.
Linked Devices
Extra phones, tablets, or computers that can send and receive your messages after you scan a QR code from your primary phone.
Disappearing Messages
Chats that auto-delete after a timer you choose.
Chat Lock
A vault for sensitive threads behind your phone’s biometrics or passcode.