Quick Answer
There are a few different ways to get an older version of WhatsApp on your device:
- Download and install an older APK (Android application package) file for WhatsApp – this allows you to install a previous version of the app on Android devices.
- Use a third party app like App Admin to download older versions of apps from the App Store (for iOS devices).
- Restore a backup of WhatsApp from when it was a previous version.
The easiest method is usually installing an older APK file for Android devices. For iPhone users, you’ll need a third party app or backup from when WhatsApp was still a version you want to use.
Why Would You Want an Older Version of WhatsApp?
There are a few reasons why you may want to use an older version of WhatsApp rather than the latest version:
- You don’t like the newest features or redesign – prefer the simpler older UI.
- Avoid bugs that are affecting the newest version.
- Compatibility issues with the latest version and your device/OS.
- Features you relied on are removed in the newest update.
New versions of apps don’t always mean better – sometimes new features introduce bugs or ruin aspects of the app you really liked. By downgrading to an older version of WhatsApp, you can stick with a version that has the features and performance you want.
Downgrading WhatsApp on Android
For Android devices, the simplest way to install an older version of WhatsApp is to download and install an APK file from a previous version:
Step 1: Find Out Your Current WhatsApp Version
Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Help > App info to see details about your installed version of WhatsApp. Take note of which version number you currently have.
Step 2: Download the APK File for the Old Version
Search online to find a trustworthy source for old WhatsApp APK files. Make sure to download the APK for the version you want that is compatible with your device. Popular sources include:
– APKMirror.com
– APKPure.com
– UpToDown.com
Step 3: Allow App Installation from Unknown Sources
In your Android device’s settings, enable the option to allow installation of apps from unknown sources. This allows you to install APK files downloaded from outside the Google Play Store:
Settings > Safety & Security > Install apps from external sources
Step 4: Install the Older WhatsApp APK
Once you’ve downloaded the older WhatsApp APK file and enabled external app installation, open the APK file on your device to trigger the installation process. The app will take you through the installation steps.
Be sure to disable installation from unknown sources again after installing the older APK file.
And that’s it! You should now have a previous working version of WhatsApp installed from the APK file.
Downgrading WhatsApp on iPhone
It’s not as straightforward to install older app versions on an iPhone since you can’t simply download and install an older IPA file. Here are a couple methods to downgrade WhatsApp on iOS:
Method 1: Use App Admin to Download Old Versions from App Store
App Admin is a free third-party app that lets you download and install previous versions of apps from the official App Store.
To use it to downgrade WhatsApp:
- Install App Admin on your device from cydia.invoxiplaygames.uk.
- Open the App Store and go to the WhatsApp page.
- If available, you’ll see an option to downgrade. Choose the version you want.
- Confirm the WhatsApp downgrade install.
The version you install will replace your existing WhatsApp app.
Method 2: Restore WhatsApp from iCloud or iTunes Backup
If you have a backup of your iPhone from when WhatsApp was still a version you want, you can use that to restore and downgrade the app:
- For iCloud backup: Factory reset your iPhone, then restore your backup during setup. WhatsApp will be reinstalled in the older version from the backup.
- For iTunes backup: Connect your iPhone to a computer > open iTunes > restore from backup. Again, this will install the WhatsApp version that was current when the backup was made.
Just make sure the backup you use is not too old, or you may lose more recent WhatsApp messages.
Tips for Downgrading WhatsApp
Here are some useful tips when trying to install an older version of WhatsApp on your device:
- Back up your WhatsApp messages and media before downgrading so you don’t lose anything.
- Delete the latest version of WhatsApp before installing an older version to avoid conflicts.
- Check whether your operating system version is compatible with the WhatsApp version you want to install.
- Look for versions that were stable – avoid beta or prerelease APKs which may have more bugs.
- Do some research to find the WhatsApp version with the features you want and without bugs.
- If installing via APK on Android, be careful to only download from trustworthy sources.
Taking these precautions will help ensure you can smoothly downgrade to the right WhatsApp version for you.
Reasons You May Be Unable to Install an Older WhatsApp Version
Although it’s usually possible to downgrade WhatsApp on both Android and iPhone, in some cases you may encounter roadblocks:
- The app developer has blocked installation of older versions.
- You can’t find an old APK or app version that is compatible with your current operating system.
- Your device storage is full, preventing app installs.
- There are no available backups from when WhatsApp was on the version you want.
- You don’t have a third party app like App Admin to download old iOS app versions.
If you’ve tried all the above downgrade methods without success, you may simply be out of luck unfortunately. The only options may be sticking with the latest version or trying a different messaging app instead.
Are Old Versions of WhatsApp Safe to Use?
Using an older version of WhatsApp does come with some security and functionality risks to be aware of:
- Older versions may have privacy or security vulnerabilities that are fixed in newer updates.
- You’ll miss out on latest features which may inconvenience you.
- Bugs or issues already fixed in later updates may still be present.
- You may encounter connectivity issues or problems chatting with users on newer versions.
- WhatsApp may eventually stop supporting super old app versions.
However, most of the risks only apply to very old legacy versions. Downgrading by just one or two releases is generally safe. Opt for older versions that were stable public releases rather than experimental betas.
Also make sure to keep your device OS and other apps up to date for security, as it’s just WhatsApp you are downgrading.
Conclusion
While not always straightforward, downgrading your WhatsApp app to an older version can enable you to stick with a UI and features you prefer, avoid new bugs, and maintain better compatibility with your device.
On Android, downloading and installing an older APK is by far the easiest method. For iPhone users, App Admin or iCloud restores offer ways to get previous iOS app versions. Just be thoughtful about potential security and functionality tradeoffs.
Overall, with some effort you should be able to find and install an older version of WhatsApp that provides the chatting experience you want. The ability to rollback apps can be extremely useful when the latest updates bring unwelcome changes.