WhatsApp Messenger v2.17.253
APK · 31.2 MB · version code 451896 · Android 2.3.3+ · uploaded Aug 10, 2017
- Same certificate as v2.20.198.9, which matches Google Play Details
Quick check before downloading
Answer this to unlock the download. It keeps automated downloaders away.
Compared with the latest version
The latest version is v2.26.39.71, uploaded Oct 3, 2026 — about 9 years after this one.
- Size: this file is 31.2 MB; the latest is 141.8 MB (110.5 MB larger).
- Android: this version needs Android 2.3.3+; the latest needs Android 6.0+. Use this one if your device runs an older Android release.
- The latest version asks for 38 more permissions: Access media location, Bluetooth connect, Change network state, Detect screen capture, Detect screen recording, Run foreground services, Foreground service camera, Foreground service data sync….
- The latest version no longer asks for: Bluetooth, Write settings, Push messaging (app-defined), Whatsapp voip call (custom).
File information
- Version
- v2.17.253 (451896)
- Uploaded
- Aug 10, 2017
- Size
- 31.2 MB
- Requires
- Android 2.3.3+ (API 10)
- CPU support
- ARM 32-bit
- Google Play services
- Required
- Screen
- Small screens and larger
- MD5
- bde0091c147e075fb168fa98fc621b9a
- Signing certificate (SHA-1)
- 38:A0:F7:D5:05:FE:18:FE:C6:4F:BF:34:3E:CA:AA:F3:10:DB:D7:99
- Signed by
- CN=Brian Acton, OU=Engineering, O=WhatsApp Inc., L=Santa Clara, ST=California, C=US
- File name
- com-whatsapp-451896-31329922-bde0091c147e075fb168fa98fc621b9a.apk
- Package
- com.whatsapp
- Downloads (all versions)
- 2B
- Age rating
- PEGI 3 · Everyone
Permissions (50)
This version requests 50 permissions, 13 of them sensitive.
- Approximate location Sensitive android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
- Camera Sensitive android.permission.CAMERA
- Find accounts on the device Sensitive android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS
- Modify shared storage Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- Precise location Sensitive android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
- Read contacts Sensitive android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
- Read phone status and identity Sensitive android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
- Read shared storage Sensitive android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- Receive sms Sensitive android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS
- Record audio (microphone) Sensitive android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO
- Send sms Sensitive android.permission.SEND_SMS
- Write contacts Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS
- Write settings Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
- Add home-screen shortcuts com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT
- Authenticate accounts android.permission.AUTHENTICATE_ACCOUNTS
- Badge read (custom) com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ
- Badge write (custom) com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE
- Bluetooth android.permission.BLUETOOTH
- Broadcast sticky android.permission.BROADCAST_STICKY
- Change wifi state android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE
- Control vibration android.permission.VIBRATE
- Full network access android.permission.INTERNET
- Get tasks android.permission.GET_TASKS
- Home broadcast badge (custom) com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE
- Home provider insert badge (custom) com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE
- Install shortcut android.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT
- Launcher change badge (custom) com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE
- Launcher read settings (custom) com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
- Launcher read settings (custom) com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
- Launcher update shortcut (custom) com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT
- Launcher write settings (custom) com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
- Manage accounts android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS
- Modify audio settings android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS
- Nfc android.permission.NFC
- Prevent the device from sleeping android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
- Push messaging (app-defined) com.whatsapp.permission.C2D_MESSAGE
- Read Google service settings com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES
- Read profile android.permission.READ_PROFILE
- Read sync settings android.permission.READ_SYNC_SETTINGS
- Read sync stats android.permission.READ_SYNC_STATS
- Receive push notifications com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE
- Remove home-screen shortcuts com.android.launcher.permission.UNINSTALL_SHORTCUT
- Run at startup android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
- Use credentials android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS
- View Wi-Fi connections android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
- View network connections android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
- Whatsapp broadcast (custom) com.whatsapp.permission.BROADCAST
- Whatsapp maps receive (custom) com.whatsapp.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE
- Whatsapp voip call (custom) com.whatsapp.permission.VOIP_CALL
- Write sync settings android.permission.WRITE_SYNC_SETTINGS
Security & authenticity
Security rating: Trusted
Signing certificate
- Certificate issued to “WhatsApp Inc.” This is the certificate of the Google Play version.
- Same certificate as v2.20.198.9, which matches Google Play v2.26.39.71 and v2.26.39.1 use another certificate. v2.20.198.9 · v2.26.39.71 · v2.26.39.1
Store checks
- Developer signature under review Apr 2, 2025
- Antivirus scan passed Nov 29, 2020
- Uploaded by “appswatch” Bronze tier · 2,034 followers · uploading since 2014
Scans 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.
How to install WhatsApp Messenger on Android 2.3.3+
You'll need about 62.5 MB of free space.
- Download the APK — tap Download APK above (31.2 MB). Chrome shows “File might be harmful” for every APK file; choose Download anyway only if you trust this file.
- Open the file — tap the download notification, or open Files › Downloads and tap com-whatsapp-451896-31329922-bde0091c147e075fb168fa98fc621b9a.apk.
- Allow the install (first time only) — Android 8 and later asks for permission the first time an app opens an APK: tap Settings in the prompt, turn on Allow from this source, then go back. Manual path: Settings › Apps › Special app access › Install unknown apps (on Samsung: Settings › Apps › ⋮ › Special access). On Android 7 and older: Settings › Security › Unknown sources.
- Check the file (optional) — the MD5 of the downloaded file should be bde0091c147e075fb168fa98fc621b9a. If it differs, the file is damaged or was changed: delete it and download again.
- Tap Install — Android asks “Do you want to install this app?”. If Google Play Protect shows a warning, read it before you continue: the source store rated this file Trusted, but only install apps from sources you trust. If an earlier version is installed, this one only installs as an update when it is signed with the same certificate (SHA-1 shown above).
- Open WhatsApp Messenger — tap Open on the install screen, or find it in your app drawer.
Common install problems
- “App not installed” — a version signed with a different certificate, or a newer version, is already installed (Android doesn't allow downgrades). Uninstall it first; back up your data, because uninstalling deletes it.
- “There was a problem parsing the package” — the file is incomplete, or your Android is too old (this version needs Android 2.3.3+). Download it again, or pick an older version.
- “App not compatible with your device” — this build contains native code for ARM 32-bit only. Devices with other processors can't install it.
- Blocked by Play Protect — Play Protect checks apps from outside the Play Store. Only continue if you trust the source.