How to set up WhatsApp in a few easy steps

Activating WhatsApp can be done in a few simple steps. First, you have to install the app and verify your WhatsApp account. Then you can set up WhatsApp, for example, with individual settings for your profile. We’ll show you how it works.

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Step 1: Install WhatsApp

To create a WhatsApp account, first download the app. You can do this on Android from the Google Play Store and on iOS from the Apple App Store.

View WhatsApp in the app store
In the app store, you can install WhatsApp with the click of a button.

If you want to use WhatsApp for PC or WhatsApp for Mac, download WhatsApp from your browser.

Tip

With WhatsApp, you can send text messages and make phone calls and WhatsApp video calls using mobile data or a WLAN connection. Beyond this simple setup guide, there are a number of useful WhatsApp tricks.

Step 2: Verify your WhatsApp account

After you have downloaded the app, you need to activate WhatsApp or verify yourself. To do this, WhatsApp first asks you to read the privacy policy and agree to the terms of use.

Consent to the privacy policy page
At the beginning of the setup, you have to agree to the privacy policy.

Now, the first thing you need to do is allow WhatsApp to send messages to your smartphone.

Confirm messages from WhatsApp
To verify your WhatsApp account, permission for messages must be enabled.

WhatsApp then verifies the device used. For this purpose, an SMS is sent to the smartphone’s number.

To do this, enter the mobile number of the device on which WhatsApp was downloaded.

Input window for your phone number
By providing your phone number, WhatsApp can send you the verification code.

WhatsApp then sends a verification code which completes the verification process.

Tip

With WhatsApp, it’s easy to send files such as photos and videos. When a smartphone reaches its internal storage limit, a cloud is a good way to store all data. HiDrive cloud storage is best suited for storing large amounts of data securely in the cloud.

Step 3: Set up your WhatsApp profile

Once WhatsApp is installed and verified on your smartphone, you have the option to make some adjustments to your profile. This way, you can create a slightly individualised WhatsApp account.

You can change your WhatsApp profile picture, assign a username and set a status that will be continuously displayed to your WhatsApp contacts.

WhatsApp profile overview
In your WhatsApp profile, you can add a username and profile photo.
Display of a completed WhatsApp profile
The `Info´ item allows you to provide other users with, for example, information about your contact options.

Once you’ve completed all the steps, you can import contacts from your smartphone’s contact list who are already using WhatsApp. WhatsApp will automatically ask you for access to `Contacts´ and `Media´. If you grant permission for `Contacts´, WhatsApp will automatically import your contacts. You can also grant permission to WhatsApp later via your smartphone’s settings.

WhatsApp popup message for sharing contacts and media
After installation, WhatsApp automatically asks you for access to your contacts and media.

After that, you’re ready to get started with WhatsApp.

Tip

Have you done everything according to this guide or have been using the app for a while but WhatsApp isn’t working? Then check out our troubleshooting guide to learn about known sources of error.

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