WhatsApp: Beyond the Basics

Sending Photos and Videos

To send a photo you already have on your phone:

1. Open the chat with the person you want to send it to.
2. Tap the + button (iPhone) or the paperclip icon (Android) next to the message box.
3. Tap Photo & Video Library (iPhone) or Gallery (Android).
4. Browse your photos. Tap the one you want. You can select multiple photos by tapping several.
5. You can add a caption at the bottom if you want to describe the photo.
6. Tap the green send arrow.

To take a new photo and send it right away, tap the camera icon inside the chat. Take the photo, then tap the send arrow.

Voice Messages

If typing is difficult or slow, voice messages are a wonderful alternative:

1. In any chat, find the microphone icon to the right of the message box.
2. Press and hold the microphone icon while speaking. Talk normally, as if the person is next to you.
3. Release your finger when you are done. The message sends automatically.
4. If you made a mistake, slide your finger to the left while still holding down. This cancels the recording.

Tip: You can also tap the microphone once to lock the recording, so you do not need to keep holding it. A lock icon will appear. Tap the send button when finished.

Group Chats

Group chats let you communicate with multiple people at once, like a family group or a friends group.

Creating a group:

1. On the Chats screen, tap the new chat button (pencil icon at top right on iPhone, or floating green button on Android).
2. Tap New Group.
3. Select the contacts you want to add by tapping their names.
4. Tap Next, then give the group a name (like "Family" or "Book Club").
5. Tap Create.

In a group chat: Everyone sees all messages. If you want to reply to someone privately, tap and hold their message and choose Reply Privately.

Video Calls

WhatsApp lets you make free video calls to anyone who has WhatsApp, anywhere in the world. You can have up to 32 people on a video call.

1. Open the chat with the person you want to call.
2. Tap the video camera icon at the top right of the screen.
3. Wait for them to answer. You will see them on your screen and they will see you.
4. To end the call, tap the red phone button.

During the call:

• Tap the camera icon to turn your video off (if you prefer just voice).
• Tap the microphone icon to mute yourself.
• Tap the flip camera button to switch between front and back cameras (useful for showing something in the room).

Sharing Your Location

Need to show someone where you are?

1. In a chat, tap the + (iPhone) or paperclip (Android).
2. Tap Location.
3. Allow WhatsApp to access your location if asked.
4. You can Send Your Current Location (a one-time pin on the map) or Share Live Location (which updates as you move, for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours).

This is especially useful when meeting someone or when you want a family member to know you arrived safely.

Starring Important Messages

When someone sends you an important message (like an address, a phone number, or a recipe), you can save it for quick access later:

1. Tap and hold the message.
2. Tap the star icon.
3. To find starred messages later: go to Settings > Starred Messages.

Useful Settings to Know

• Increasing text size: Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Text Size (Android) or change it from your phone\'s general display settings (iPhone).
• Chat wallpaper: You can change the background color of your chats to something easier on your eyes. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Wallpaper.
• Read receipts: The blue checkmarks mean the person read your message. If you prefer privacy, you can turn these off in Settings > Privacy > Read Receipts.