WhatsApp Messenger app icon

WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Inc. · com.whatsapp

4.1 out of 5 (31,976 ratings) 2B downloads v2.26.39.71 141.8 MB Android 6.0+ PEGI 3 · Everyone

  • Signed differently from the Google Play version Details

At a glance

Latest version
v2.26.39.71 (263907133)
Updated
Oct 3, 2026 (10 days ago)
APK size
141.8 MB
Requires
Android 6.0+ (API 23)
CPU support
x86 32-bit, x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit, ARM 64-bit
Category
Communication (app)
Listed since
Feb 6, 2011
Permissions
84 (21 sensitive)
Website
whatsapp.com
Developer contact
[email protected]
Privacy
Developer's privacy policy

About this APK

WhatsApp Messenger is an app by WhatsApp Inc. in the Communication category, listed since February 2011. It includes native code for x86 32-bit, x86 64-bit, ARM 32-bit and ARM 64-bit, so it runs on practically every phone.

Since version 2.23.8.78, the APK grew from 79 MB to 141.8 MB. Since version 2.16.203, the minimum Android version rose from 2.1 to 6.0. It asks for 84 permissions, 21 of them sensitive, including precise location, camera and record audio. Compared with version 2.26.39.1, it drops 1 permission: “Access local network”. The app offers in-app purchases through Google Play and can read the advertising ID that ad and analytics services use.

Ratings

4.1out of 531,976 ratings
  • 5 ★51%
  • 4 ★28%
  • 3 ★12%
  • 2 ★3%
  • 1 ★7%

Ratings from users of the source store — not collected or verified by AAPKs.

What's new in v2.26.39.71

• You can now edit messages up to 15 minutes after sending. Long press a message and choose ‘Edit’ to get started. • Group chats show the profile photos of their participants. These features will roll out over the coming weeks. Thanks for using WhatsApp!

Description

From the listing uploaded by “aplicationpaidprofree”.

WhatsApp is a messaging app for personal and group communication through a direct, chat-based interface. It supports text messaging, voice calls, video calls, and media sharing, allowing real-time conversation between individuals or groups. Messages, attachments, and calls are handled within the same interface, without requiring separate tools. A chat list organizes ongoing conversations, showing recent activity and keeping frequently used threads accessible. Each chat supports text messages, images, videos, documents, voice notes, and location sharing. The interface presents these elements within a linear timeline that preserves context and makes exchanges easy to follow. Message indicators show when content has been sent, delivered, or viewed, giving users a clear sense of message status as interactions progress. Group functionality enables multi-party communication with tools for naming groups, assigning profile images, and managing participants. Administrators can add or remove members, adjust permissions, and determine who may send messages or modify group details. Groups support the same media types as individual chats, allowing coordinated sharing among teams, families, or other communities. Broadcast lists extend this system by sending one-to-many messages that appear as private conversations to recipients who have the sender’s number saved. Voice messages offer an alternative when typing is impractical. Users can record short or extended voice notes that appear directly in the chat timeline and can be played at adjustable speeds. The app also includes high-quality voice and video calling that operates through an internet connection. Calls support one-to-one conversations as well as group calls, giving users multiple ways to connect depending on context. Contact management draws on the device’s address book, allowing new chats to begin with minimal setup. A search function supports locating past messages, documents, links, and media by keyword, providing efficient retrieval of information from extended histories. Starred messages offer another retrieval method by marking important items for quick access. Together, these tools help maintain continuity in conversations that evolve over long periods. Media handling is central to the messaging experience. Photos, videos, and documents sent or received in chats can be viewed in galleries organized by file type, enabling users to revisit shared materials without scrolling through entire message histories. Forwarding options allow redistribution of items to other chats, with forwarding indicators helping recipients understand the origin of the content. Storage management tools assist in reviewing and removing large files or clearing specific chat histories to free device space. Privacy features offer granular control over visibility and interaction. Users can choose who may see their profile photo, status updates, and last-seen information. Read receipts can be enabled or disabled depending on communication preferences, and blocked contacts are prevented from calling or messaging. Two-step verification adds an optional security layer by requiring a PIN when registering the number on a new device. Status updates allow users to share photos, text, or short videos that remain visible for twenty-four hours to selected contacts. These updates appear in a separate section distinct from chats, keeping ephemeral content organized away from ongoing conversations. Viewership indicators show who has seen each update, while privacy controls define which contacts have access. Cross-device features support messaging on linked devices, allowing users to continue conversations from desktops or secondary devices once they authenticate through their phone. Linked devices maintain access even if the primary device temporarily loses connection, depending on service guidelines. This flexibility supports workflows in which typing on a larger screen or accessing shared files from a computer is preferable. Security is maintained through end-to-end encryption applied automatically to messages, calls, and media. This ensures that only the sender and recipient can access the contents of their communication. Encryption operates in the background and does not require manual configuration, providing a protected environment for everyday messaging without altering the interaction model familiar to users. Compatibility with Android devices allows the app to operate across a broad range of phones and tablets. It integrates with system-level notifications to surface incoming messages, calls, and media previews. Notification settings can be adjusted for individual chats or groups, offering flexibility for managing interruptions during work or personal time. Backup options support preserving chat histories, including messages, images, and other attachments. Users can enable automatic backups at chosen intervals or create them manually. Restoration from a backup allows chat data to reappear on a new device after number verification, dependent on backup availability and user settings. Additional tools refine the messaging experience. Wallpaper customization lets users set distinct backgrounds for specific chats or apply global themes. Data usage settings control media auto-download behavior, which can help manage bandwidth consumption in limited-data environments. These configurations allow users to tailor the app’s operation to their preferences while maintaining consistent communication capabilities. Group invitation controls and link management features offer structured options for admitting participants into group chats. Administrators can generate invitation links, reset them when necessary, or approve or deny join requests when restricted access is enabled. These controls help maintain group integrity and reduce unwanted additions. WhatsApp supports everyday communication through messaging, calling, and media sharing within a familiar chat-based environment. Its structure accommodates personal conversations, ongoing group discussions, and coordinated interaction, making it a consistent tool for routine communication across different contexts.

Version history

8 versions are listed, going back to v2.16.203. Since v2.26.39.1 it requires Android 6.0+.

All 8 versions

WhatsApp Messenger among popular Communication apps

WhatsApp Messenger is one of the 36 most downloaded apps in our Communication category.

WhatsApp Messenger and the Communication apps ranked next to it by downloads
AppRatingDownloadsDownload size
WhatsApp Messenger (this app) 4.1 (31,976) 2B 141.8 MB
Google Meet 4.5 (388) 2B –
Messenger 4.3 (13,214) 2B 150.5 MB
Snapchat 4.2 (15,044) 1B+ –
Live Transcribe & notification 4.6 (12) 1B+ 27 MB

Apps listed next to it in our Communication ranking by downloads (pre-installed system apps left out). Ratings and download counts come from the source store; ratings with fewer than five votes and sizes of outdated listings aren't shown.

Security & authenticity

Security rating: Trusted

Signing certificate

  • Certificate issued to “WhatsApp LLC” The developer's name — though anyone can put any name in a certificate.
  • Signed differently from the Google Play version v2.20.198.9, which matches Google Play, uses another certificate. Android normally won't update an installed Play Store copy with this file. v2.20.198.9

Store checks and file details

  • Developer signature under review Oct 3, 2026
  • Signed byCN=WhatsApp LLC, O=WhatsApp LLC, L=Menlo Park, ST=California, C=US
  • Signing certificate (SHA-1)8B:0D:EB:F9:51:6A:F0:37:C9:BE:2F:53:95:84:B9:7F:E9:78:17:64
  • File MD5eed17f28a633f93ebbf548f389cece72
  • Uploaded by “aplicationpaidprofree” Bronze tier · 1,631 followers · uploading since 2018

Scans and ratings come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures (6 other versions compared). AAPKs doesn't scan files itself — compare the MD5 and signer after downloading.

Permissions (84)

WhatsApp Messenger requests 84 permissions, 21 of them sensitive.

Required hardware & features

WhatsApp Messenger APK: questions and answers

Is there a version of WhatsApp Messenger for older Android phones?

The current version needs Android 6.0 or later. Version 2.23.8.78 is the newest listed build that installs on Android 4.1 and later. It is an old build: apps that rely on online services may no longer connect when they are this old. Get version 2.23.8.78 · All versions

Can I install this APK over the version I already have?

Probably not if you installed WhatsApp Messenger from Google Play: this file is signed with a different certificate, and Android normally refuses such an update. You would have to uninstall your copy first, which deletes its data unless it is backed up.

Is WhatsApp Messenger free?

The APK is free to download, but the app offers in-app purchases through Google Play.

Is the WhatsApp Messenger APK safe?

No one can promise that a file is safe, but some things can be checked. The source store rates this file Trusted. It is signed with a different certificate than the Google Play version. After downloading, check that the file's MD5 is eed17f28a633f93ebbf548f389cece72.

Tags

More Communication apps