Quick Answer
Yes, you can use WhatsApp to message and call people in other countries. WhatsApp uses your phone’s Internet connection, so you can communicate with anyone around the world as long as you both have WhatsApp accounts and Internet access. There are no extra fees to use WhatsApp internationally.
Using WhatsApp Internationally
WhatsApp makes it easy to stay in touch with people in other countries. Here’s what you need to know about using WhatsApp internationally:
Messaging
You can send unlimited text messages (called chats in WhatsApp) to your contacts in other countries for free. As long as you and your recipient have Internet access, your messages will be delivered quickly, usually within seconds.
Calling
WhatsApp also allows free voice and video calling over the Internet. This allows you to have face-to-face conversations with people in other countries for free. The call quality is usually very good. As with messaging, the calls utilize your phone’s Internet connection rather than your cellular plan’s minutes.
Group chats
You can add up to 256 participants to a WhatsApp group chat, including people from other countries. This makes it easy to stay connected with friends, family, work teams, clubs, and other groups internationally. Everyone in the group chat can share text, audio, video, and files.
Media sharing
You aren’t limited to just text messages in WhatsApp. You can share photos, videos, GIFs, voice messages, documents, and other media seamlessly with your international contacts. WhatsApp compresses media to make transferring faster.
End-to-end encryption
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for all chats, voice calls, video calls, media, and files. This means the conversations are secured and only you and the person you’re communicating with can read or listen to them. Not even WhatsApp has access.
Requirements for Using WhatsApp Internationally
To use WhatsApp to communicate with people in other countries, you need:
– A smartphone with Internet access (mobile data or WiFi)
– The WhatsApp app installed and set up
– Your friends or family members you want to contact must also have WhatsApp installed and set up with their international phone numbers added to their accounts.
As long as both parties have Internet access on their phones, WhatsApp will work globally.
Using WhatsApp when traveling
WhatsApp can be especially useful while traveling internationally. You can avoid expensive international roaming charges by using WhatsApp over WiFi for messaging and calls. Many hotels, cafes, restaurants, and airports now provide free WiFi.
Choosing the best connectivity
For the best WhatsApp call quality and reliability, use a stable WiFi or strong cellular data connection. Video calls require more bandwidth than voice calls. Note that WhatsApp might be blocked or unavailable in some countries.
Tips for Using WhatsApp Internationally
Follow these tips to get the most out of WhatsApp when contacting people in other countries:
Check your connectivity
Make sure you have a strong Internet signal before making WhatsApp calls to avoid call quality issues or dropouts. Let your contact know if you experience any connection problems.
Pay attention to time zones
Be aware of time differences when messaging or calling internationally so you don’t contact someone at an inconvenient time in their time zone.
Use data wisely
WhatsApp uses mobile data, so keep an eye on your data usage if you have a limited plan. Use WiFi whenever possible, especially for long calls.
Set up group chats
Take advantage of WhatsApp’s group chat feature to stay connected with extended family, friends, workmates, etc. internationally.
Share your travel updates
Let your WhatsApp contacts know when you’ve arrived safely at your destination while traveling and share photos from your trip.
Be respectful
Remember cultural differences in communication norms when using WhatsApp internationally. Don’t assume what’s acceptable in your culture is universally accepted.
Use the voice note feature
If you have a poor connection, use WhatsApp voice notes to send short audio clips to your international contacts instead of typing long messages.
Cost of Using WhatsApp Internationally
One of the best perks of WhatsApp is that there are no extra fees for contacting people in other countries. Here are the regular costs associated with using WhatsApp:
Downloading and using WhatsApp
WhatsApp is free to download and use, including all messaging, calls, media sharing, group chats, etc. There are no subscription fees.
Mobile data charges
You only need to pay for the mobile data or WiFi costs required for WhatsApp to utilize your phone’s Internet connection. Activate a data plan or connect to WiFi.
Roaming charges
With WhatsApp, you avoid paying costly roaming fees that apply to regular international calls and text messages from your mobile provider.
| WhatsApp Feature | Cost |
|---|---|
| Downloading app | Free |
| Messaging | Free |
| Voice calls | Free |
| Video calls | Free |
| Media sharing | Free |
| Group chats | Free |
WhatsApp vs. Other Communication Apps Internationally
Here’s how WhatsApp compares to some other popular international communication apps:
– Uses your phone number as ID
– End-to-end encrypted chats, calls, media
– Group chats with up to 256 people
– Free international voice and video calls
– Media sharing up to 100MB
– Used globally
Facebook Messenger
– Uses your Facebook account as ID
– Encrypted chats optional
– Group chats with up to 50 people
– Free international voice and video calls
– Media sharing up to 2GB
– Used globally
Skype
– Uses your Skype username as ID
– Encrypted chats and calls optional
– Group video calls with up to 50 people
– Cheap international calling rates
– File sharing up to 300MB
– Used globally
Viber
– Uses your phone number as ID
– Encrypted chats, calls, media
– Group chats with up to 200 people
– Free international calls with data connection
– Media sharing up to 200MB
– Lesser known globally
Google Hangouts
– Uses your Google account as ID
– Encrypted chats and calls optional
– Group video calls with up to 25 people
– Cheap international calling rates
– Media sharing up to 1.5GB
– Pre-installed on Android phones
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WhatsApp free to use internationally?
Yes, WhatsApp does not charge any extra fees for contacting people in other countries. You can message, call, share media, join group chats, etc. internationally for free over WiFi or your phone’s Internet connection.
Can I use WhatsApp on WiFi abroad?
Yes, you can use WhatsApp for free messaging and calls over WiFi while traveling internationally or living abroad. Connecting to local WiFi networks in your travel destination is a great way to avoid roaming charges.
Does WhatsApp work in every country?
WhatsApp is available in most countries, but may be restricted or blocked in certain places like China, the UAE, and North Korea. Check if WhatsApp is accessible in the country you want to visit or contact someone in.
Can I share my location on WhatsApp internationally?
Yes, WhatsApp has a feature that allows you to share your real-time location with any of your contacts, regardless of what country they are located in. This can be useful to let family and friends abroad know where you are.
How do I add an international WhatsApp contact?
Open your phone’s Contacts, create a new contact and enter the person’s full international phone number including the country code at the beginning. Then open WhatsApp, tap the Calls tab, and tap the New contact icon to sync your new international contact.
Is WhatsApp a good option for traveling abroad?
Yes, WhatsApp is an excellent app for keeping in touch when traveling internationally. You can avoid expensive roaming charges by using WhatsApp for free calls and messages over WiFi and share photos securely with friends and family back home.
Conclusion
WhatsApp provides a convenient, secure, and cost-effective way to communicate internationally. With its free worldwide messaging, calling, group chats, and media sharing capabilities, WhatsApp has become an essential global communication tool. When used responsibly, it can help you stay connected with your international contacts and make your travels more enjoyable and stress-free.