topic Re: WhatsApp in Germany in Android

WhatsApp in Germany

Iain2 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 21:01:57 GMT

I use WhatsApp from my UK location mainly for messages within the UK but occasionally overseas such as Germany. A friend in Germany also is on O2 but says that it is impossible according to O2 to download WhatsApp there. Can this be possible? According to the statistics there are thousands of WhatsApp users in Germany. Is he on the "wrong" network?

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

MI5 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 21:05:44 GMT

@Iain2

It's nothing to do with what network you are on but it is restricted to Android, Apple and Kaios phones.

So if someone is using a windows phone or older Blackberry, for example, it would not be available.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

Bambino — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 21:08:09 GMT

@Iain2 That sounds like a load of rubbish. Just tell your friend to download the app over a WiFi connection. If you want free calls , texts and video calls, that's the way you should be using the app anyway to avoid any charges.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

Iain2 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 21:38:54 GMT

Thanks for the clarification. Not simple for those not in the know. I don't even know what "route" my Android mobile uses for WhatsApp, I just downloaded the default. Can I tell? Might I want to change e.g. to Wi-Fi if I am not on it?

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

MI5 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 21:48:22 GMT

@Iain2

It will use whatever connection your phone is using so will switch between wifi and mobile data.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

MI5 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:09:47 GMT

@Iain2

As a guide, a 10 minute video call will use around 5mb of data. A 10 minute voice call around 2mb and text messages just a few kb.

Depending on your data allowance, it may not be important to ensure you are on wifi, but if your data allowance is low, I'd make any type of call over wifi only.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

Iain2 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:12:03 GMT

So what do I tell my friend in Germany to do if his present setup seems to be using the "wrong" connection? In my case everything was automatic.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

Iain2 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:14:50 GMT

Seems that I've got to get him to try to switch to Wi-Fi if he's not already using it. I don't think that either of us is particularly clued up in such things.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

MI5 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:14:56 GMT

@Iain2

There is no wrong connection, just the possibility of a wrong phone, as I said above.

Your friend just needs to go to his app store if he has an android or apple phone and download the WhatsApp app.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

Iain2 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:17:20 GMT

I've got a feeling that he says that he's using a "Windows SIM card". I didn't know that such things existed!

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

MI5 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:19:51 GMT

@Iain2

That would be a windows phone and unfortunately WhatsApp is not available on that device, so O2-DE are correct.

He needs to upgrade his phone

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

Iain2 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:35:38 GMT

It's gradually getting clearer tks. Looks like he's going to have to get round to his local mobile shop if not locked down and get himself an Android or iOS or Apple and just download with it.

Re: WhatsApp in Germany

MI5 — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:41:20 GMT

Yes, that's the only way @Iain2

He may also be able to order a new phone off Amazon if the stores are closed.