How Does WhatsApp Work (+Features)

WhatsApp is a free messaging service used by over 1 billion people worldwide, making it the largest messaging app today. It functions similarly to other text messaging services but has one significant difference—it requires an internet connection. This has led many to wonder, how does WhatsApp work?

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WhatsApp uses an internet connection to send messages, voice notes, your location, photos, and videos. You can also create group chats with friends, family, or colleagues. Now, let’s dive into how WhatsApp works in more detail.

How to Use WhatsApp

To get started with WhatsApp, you need a compatible device, a SIM card, phone number, and an internet connection. WhatsApp is available for iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows, all completely free of charge.

Here’s how you can set it up WhatsApp by taking the first step.

Download the WhatsApp app from your device’s app store.
Enter your phone number to verify it via SMS.
Allow WhatsApp to access your contacts for seamless communication.
Set up your profile by adding your name, photo, and optional status (e.g., “Available,” “Busy,” or create a custom status).

What Do Ticks Mean on WhatsApp

When you send a message on WhatsApp, you’ll notice ticks next to it. Here’s what they mean:

Gray Clock Icon: No internet connection; the message will send once connected.
One Gray Tick: Message sent but not yet received by the recipient.
Two Gray Ticks: Message received but not yet read.
Two Blue Ticks: Message read. You can turn off this feature if you don’t want others to know you’ve read their messages.

Gray Clock Icon

If you see a gray clock in the lower right corner of the message you posted after you sent it, it means that you do not have an internet connection; therefore, the message cannot be sent at this time, but it is sent as soon as the internet connection is reached.

One Gray Tick

If you see a gray tick, this indicates that the message has not yet been received by the person you have sent it, and it is possible because the recipient has no internet connection.

Two Gray Ticks

Seeing two gray ticks means your message was taken but not read at the moment; probably the person you have sent a message to did not open the WhatsApp yet.

Two Blue Ticks

If you see two blue ticks on the right corner of your message, this means that they saw your message, which means they opened the app and read it for sure. By the way, you can turn this feature off if you want so that people do not know that you are not responding to them. You can turn off this feature from the Settings on WhatsApp application.

Go to the Settings and select the Account section.
Then, click the Privacy part and turn off the slider next to Read Receipts.
It is useful to remind that when you activate this feature, you can also no longer see if they have read your message.

How to Make Call or Video Call on WhatsApp

WhatsApp allows you to make free voice and video calls. Here’s how you can make a call:

Open WhatsApp and go to the chat of the person you want to call.
Tap the phone icon for a voice call or the video camera icon for a video call.

How Can I Add New Contact on WhatsApp

In fact, you do not need to add someone while using WhatsApp because if you let the app access your contacts when you start using it, you do not need to add them to the app manually. However, you might want to add some people who are not on WhatsApp. You can add them to your contact list, or you can follow the steps below.

Open WhatsApp and tap the chat icon.
Click the pencil and paper icon to add a new contact.
Enter the person’s name and phone number.

How to Make a Group on WhatsApp

Group chats let you share messages, photos, and videos with many people at once. You can also name your group, mute notifications, and more. If you are setting up a group for your workplace, you can also create a group setting that only allows managers to send messages to the group. Also, with a tool like WhatsApp link generator, you can quicken the process of people contacting you. Now let’s see how to create a group on WhatsApp:

Open WhatsApp on your mobile device and tap the chat icon.
Then select the New Group option on the opening page.
Choose who you want to add to the group and then tap next.
Now, you can add a profile photo and a subject for the group.
Lastly, tap the Create button. You can manage the notification and message settings of the group later as you wish by clicking the group name at the top.

How to Use WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web is the web-based version of the WhatsApp application you use on your mobile device. Since WhatsApp provides its users with access over the web, you can access WhatsApp both on the computer and on your phone. WhatsApp Web is a savior for you at this point if you need to continue communication while you are dealing with anything at the computer. Please do not forget that before you can use WhatsApp Web, you must already be using WhatsApp on your mobile device, and the WhatsApp version on your device must be the latest version.

Go to the web.whatsapp.com address from your computer.
Open your mobile device and tap the WhatsApp application; you will see a QR code on the screen.
If you are using iOS, go to Settings and then click on the WhatsApp Web section. For Android users, you should click on the menu and then tap the WhatsApp Web option.
Now, scan the QR code on the WhatsApp Web page by focusing on your phone’s camera.
After scanning the QR code, you can now check WhatsApp on your computer and your phone. That’s all. Now you can use WhatsApp web like you are using it on your phone.

WhatsApp in Short

WhatsApp is more than just a messaging app. Its ability to send voice notes, share media, create group chats, and make voice and video calls sets it apart from other apps. Whether you’re using it on mobile or desktop, knowing how WhatsApp works makes it easier to stay connected with people around the world.