WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. Amazon Kindle is a series of popular e-readers and tablets developed by Amazon. A common question that arises is whether WhatsApp, being a messaging app, works on Kindle devices or not.
TL;DR
The short answer is no, WhatsApp does not natively work on Kindle e-readers and tablets. This is because Kindle devices run a customized version of Android which does not support WhatsApp and many other common Android apps. However, there are some workarounds like downloading third-party modded versions of WhatsApp or using web apps to access WhatsApp on a Kindle.
WhatsApp App Compatibility with Kindle
The main reason Why WhatsApp does not work on Kindle is because of software incompatibility. Here are some key points on app support for Kindle devices:
- Kindle e-readers like the basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis run a highly customized Linux-based operating system optimized for e-reading experience. This software does not support installing Android or iOS apps.
- Kindle Fire tablets and newer Kindle e-readers like Kindle Scribe run Fire OS, which is a fork of Android. But it lacks support for Google Play Services which WhatsApp requires.
- Due to these limitations, the official WhatsApp app from the Play Store cannot be installed on any Kindle device.
- Amazon’s Appstore for Fire OS does not include WhatsApp or many other popular Android apps.
So in summary, the official WhatsApp app is not available for Kindle e-readers or Fire tablets. Even sideloading the Android .apk file does not work. Users have to resort to unofficial modded versions or web-based access to use WhatsApp on Kindle devices.
Using Unofficial Modded WhatsApp on Kindle
Some developers have modded the WhatsApp app to work on Kindle Fire tablets. These modded apps bypass the Play Services requirement and other limitations to run WhatsApp on Fire OS. Here are some ways to install such unofficial WhatsApp mods on Kindle:
- Download the modded WhatsApp .apk file from sites like Malavida or TechDoctorUK.
- On the Kindle device, enable installation from “Unknown Sources” in Settings.
- Sideload the downloaded .apk file and install it.
- The modded app should work normally, allowing texting, calls, media sharing etc.
- However, these mods are not endorsed by WhatsApp and violate their Terms of Service.
This modded app method only works on Kindle Fire tablets, not on regular Kindle e-readers which run Linux-based firmware. Also, since these are unofficial versions, they may have bugs, lack latest features and stop working anytime if WhatsApp blocks them.
Using WhatsApp Web on Kindle Browser
The most reliable way to access WhatsApp on any Kindle device is through WhatsApp Web which runs in a web browser. Here is how to use it:
- Open the Silk browser app on your Kindle and go to web.whatsapp.com
- Scan the QR code on that page using WhatsApp on your phone to link the accounts.
- This will open your WhatsApp account in the Kindle browser itself allowing web-based access.
- You can now use WhatsApp Web to message, share media etc from the Kindle.
- Drawbacks are no native app features, constant QR code scanning requirement.
WhatsApp Web works reliably on Kindle Fire tablets as well as Kindle e-readers running the latest firmware with web browsing capabilities. However, the functionality is limited compared to the native app.
Using Remote Control Apps
Another workaround is using remote control apps to control your phone’s WhatsApp from your Kindle:
- Install remote control app like Scrcpy on Kindle and connect it to your phone.
- You can then remotely control and view your phone’s screen from the Kindle.
- This allows you to access WhatsApp on phone while controlling it from the Kindle.
- Drawbacks are lag, indirect control, and requirement of keeping phone active and connected.
This gives indirect access to WhatsApp from Kindle but is quite complex to set up compared to other options.
Comparison of WhatsApp Options on Kindle
| Method | Kindle Compatibility | Reliability | Features | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official WhatsApp App | Not supported | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Modded WhatsApp | Kindle Fire only | Low | Almost full | Moderate |
| WhatsApp Web | All modern Kindles | High | Limited | Easy |
| Remote control apps | All Kindles | Moderate | Full native app | Complex |
This summarizes the key options for accessing WhatsApp on Kindle devices comparing factors like compatibility, reliability, features and ease of use.
Conclusion
To conclude, the official WhatsApp messaging app does not work on any Kindle e-reader or Fire tablet natively due to software limitations of the Kindle operating systems.
Using modded or unofficial versions of WhatsApp may work unreliably on some Kindle Fire tablets but violates WhatsApp’s policies.
The most legal and reliable option is to use WhatsApp Web on the Kindle browser, although it lacks some native app features. Remote access apps provide full control but are complex to set up.
So while Kindle devices do not directly support WhatsApp currently, users have some workarounds to access their WhatsApp account and messaging on these e-readers and tablets.
Hopefully in the future, Amazon and WhatsApp may work together to build better official support and integration that brings secure messaging capabilities to Kindle tablets.
But for now, options like WhatsApp Web or remote control provide a decent if limited experience for those looking to use WhatsApp on their Kindle devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download WhatsApp on my Kindle Fire?
No, you cannot directly download and install the official WhatsApp app from the Play Store on a Kindle Fire tablet. This is because Kindle Fire runs Fire OS which lacks Google Play Services support required by WhatsApp. However, some modded unofficial versions of WhatsApp may work on Kindle Fire with sideloading.
Why can’t I get WhatsApp on my Kindle Paperwhite?
Kindle Paperwhite is an e-ink e-reader, not a tablet. It runs a proprietary Linux-based firmware optimized for reading experience. This software does not support installing Android or iOS apps like WhatsApp. You can access WhatsApp Web from the experimental browser in Paperwhite.
Is there a way to message on WhatsApp using my Kindle Oasis?
Since Kindle Oasis is an e-reader, you cannot install the WhatsApp app on it. But you can use WhatsApp Web from the Kindle Oasis browser to access your account and message people. The experience is not as good as the native app, but it works reasonably well.
How do I make calls on WhatsApp from my Kindle Fire HD 8?
You can install a modded version of WhatsApp on your Kindle Fire HD 8 tablet to make calls, similar to the normal Android app. However, voice and video calling may have some limitations or glitches since these are not official approved versions. Using WhatsApp Web allows messaging but not calling.
Can I use WhatsApp on the Kindle Scribe?
The Kindle Scribe runs Fire OS like other Kindle Fire tablets, so the official WhatsApp app is not supported. You may be able to install a modded WhatsApp APK file. More reliably, you can access WhatsApp Web from the browser, but without native app-like calling and messaging capabilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WhatsApp has limited compatibility with Kindle devices currently. While users cannot directly install the official app due to software restrictions, workarounds like WhatsApp Web or modded APKs provide partial messaging access. For full native app features, Kindle OS needs to add support for Google Play Services and mainstream Android apps. Until then, users have to adapt to the limited options available.