Incredible Facts
Today it is almost impossible to imagine your life without applications designed for messaging.
Whatsapp is one of the most popular applications, which helps to stay in touch with friends and acquaintances.
There are many features in this application that users are not even aware of, but which can greatly improve their text communication skills.
1. Become invisible on Whatsapp.
To remove evidence that you have read messages, go to Settings - Account - Privacy - Read receipts and uncheck. However, if you turn this option off all the time, it can become suspicious.
Before opening a questionable chat, you can also turn on airplane mode. Now you can read messages without getting notifications. Exit messages before turning off airplane mode and the message will remain unread for the sender.
2.Hide visiting time in WhatsApp.
If you want to avoid an awkward conversation and don't want others to see when you last visited a chat, this can be easily done.
Go to Settings - Account - Privacy - Visit time, and choose who can see when you were last active.
3. Recover deleted WhatsApp conversations
If you accidentally deleted messages, don't worry, because there is a way to restore the conversation. However, you need to anticipate the situation.
For this you need to install backup your chats. Go to . You can then choose to back up daily, weekly, or monthly. Whatsapp will only copy your chats when the phone is on.
If you accidentally deleted a message or chats, you can restore them by reinstalling this app.
4. Quote a WhatsApp message as proof
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of messages and taking a screenshot to prove that your friend promised to come 2 hours ago, use the quote feature.
To do this, you need to select the desired message by holding it and pressing on arrow on the left(on Android) or the " Reply" on iPhone to quote the desired message.
5. Make text bold, italic or strikethrough in Whatsapp
WhatsApp is very handy for a lot of things, but like all text messages, it doesn't convey intonation well. You can use bold, italics, and even strikethrough for these purposes.
If you want to put emphasis on a certain word, you need to use certain keyboard shortcuts.
To make it bold, you need to put an asterisk on both sides of the word, *like this*, use underscore for italics _the words_, and for strikethrough a wavy hyphen ~like this~. Also you can combine *_bold italics_*.
6. Disable Notifications in Whatsapp Chats
For example, you want to know what time the meeting is tomorrow. But this simple question turned into a three-hour conversation between the rest of the chat participants.
You can now avoid annoying notifications by selecting the chat name at the top and selecting silent mode. Click on the button Do not disturb in the top right corner and uncheck the option Show notifications.
7. Disable saving WhatsApp photos in your gallery
All files you receive are automatically saved to your phone's gallery. If your friends are sending photos that you don't want others to see, there is a way to avoid this. For iPhone go to Settings - Chats and disable the option Media Visibility.
In addition, you can hide photos received on WhatsApp by creating a .nomedia file.
For Android, you must have file manager, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. After downloading go to Images/WhatsApp Images and create a file called .nomedia.
8. Save smartphone memory from junk files whatsapp
When someone sends you pictures, gifs, audio and video files, they are downloaded automatically. So that they don't score internal memory your smartphone, set it to download only the types of files you need when you connect to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
For iOS Go to Settings - Data, where you can choose the download method. For Android, go to to find them.
9.Create a shortcut for specific contact whatsapp
If you find it difficult to always look for your best friend in the total mass whatsapp chats, you can give preference to certain people (if you have Android). You can shorten your search time by saving shortcuts to your favorite WhatsApp contacts on your phone screen.
Click on the desired chat and in the menu (ellipsis in the upper right corner) and select " Add Label", and a shortcut with the contact will appear on your phone screen.
10. Mute WhatsApp sounds and hide chat from prying eyes
There are times when you don't want someone to see your WhatsApp messages.
11. Send private messages to many users on WhatsApp
If you want to send one message to a whole range of people, you don't have to create a group chat where everyone can chat with each other. In this case, it is better to choose the mailing list.
Click on the menu button in the top right corner and select New newsletter. This will allow you to send one message to many people, creating an individual chat with each.
12. Transfer your whatsapp messages to another phone
If you don't want to lose your messages when you get a new phone, for example, you can back up your messages.
Go to Settings - Chats - Backup copy chat rooms and save a copy of messages daily, weekly or monthly. When you sign in to WhatsApp on your new phone, the messages will move to your new device.
13. Easily Find Important WhatsApp Messages
Many people know the feeling when you have to scroll through several hundred messages to find a message about desired address or meeting time. But there is more easy way to do this.
Hold the desired message and click on the icon stars.
You can now view all flagged messages in the menu where you will find the option Featured Posts.
14. Find out when your message was read (Checkmarks in WhatsApp)
Hold on the message you sent and tap on the " info". You will see a window where you will see who read and who received the message with the specified time when it happened.
15. Keep private in Whatsapp group chat
If you don't want friends of friends you've never seen but are in a group chat with to see your personal information, you can make the necessary changes.
You can restrict access to your profile photo and personal status by going to Settings - Account - Privacy, and choosing the options you want.
16. Mark unread Whatsapp chat
Let's say you can't reply to a message right now, but you don't want to risk your friendship with the person. You can set a visual reminder that you have messages to reply to.
This can be done in the chat list, highlighting a chat and marking it as unread.
Instead of dictating a message, you can use virtual assistant Siri (for iPhone) to manage WhatsApp without having to pick up your phone. To do this, you must have installed latest version whatsapp where you can say " Hey Siri. send whatsapp to mom".
You can also read messages using Siri by saying: " Hey Siri. Read Last messages whatsapp" and you will hear the latest unread messages.
For Android users use OK Google by asking " send whatsapp to (name)".
18. Make a WhatsApp video call
To make a video call, open a contact and click the video icon.
19. Draw on photos or add emoticons on WhatsApp
Take a photo in the app and then use the various tools at the top of the screen to draw on the photo, add emoji or text.
20. Turn Videos into Gifs on Whatsapp
WhatsApp already has a large gallery of GIFs that you can send to friends and family in messages. If you don't find the GIF you need, you can convert your own videos to GIF format. Click on the photo and video gallery icon, select a video and press the GIF button in the upper right corner.
I decided to write this short post after reading exler review "4talk - a fundamentally new cloud messenger", which tells about the messenger, in a number of ways more interesting than the popular WhatsApp and Viber. I constantly and actively correspond, but I haven’t used WhatsApp, Viber, or this new 4talk for a long time, and I don’t plan to. There is a more convenient way, it is strange that no one talks about it, preferring some additional applications.
The article and comments to it correctly point out some of the weak points of popular instant messengers: Skype does not synchronize history via the cloud, WhatsApp and Viber cannot work [without dancing] on more than one device, and are not designed for devices without a SIM card. 4talk stands out against this background due to cloudiness and history can be read on all devices. In addition, it allows you to send geo-position, documents and photos from the device to another subscriber.
What prevents you from using Vkontakte as a messenger? I rarely meet people who don't have an account there. Less than those who do not have Viber or WhatsApp, and even iMessage is not connected. Once again, there is a feeling that the possibilities of the social network are somehow underestimated. Compared with the described messengers, Vkontakte has all the main features - sending simple text messages, an impressive gallery of emoticons, transferring photos and documents. You can attach your location to the message (and it will open in the maps on the device) to conveniently tell your friends where to come and where you are. You can even attach music and videos, including those shot directly on the device. Message notifications come in the same way as SMS, and messages from the same messengers. You can immediately understand what is read and what is not.
Group chats are also well organized there, I took part in several projects that used chats via VK for discussions by a group of specialists. There were no complaints about how it works.
AND, main, unlike messengers, Vkontakte is a much more multiplatform thing. Want to reply from iOS, five minutes later from Android, and then from a tablet? No problem. Chat from laptop or computer? It also works. Simultaneously, from two hands, from different gadgets, including those where there are no SIM cards? No problem.
Forgot your device at home or the battery is dead? You can access VK from any device that has a browser - a computer, laptop, tablet. Even in a public place or from a friend's device. Your history is always stored on the server, and you can open it after as much time as you like.
And, judging by the fact that the web interface already has the ability to make video calls, sooner or later it will also be added to the mobile client.
So why, tell me, use scanty messengers?
P.S. For those who do not use VK, Facebook is suitable for the same purposes. He can do a little, but not by much.
WhatsApp is the most popular messenger in the world thanks to 1 billion users in 180 countries.
With Facebook buying WhatsApp in 2014, privacy experts and security conscious users have sounded the alarm. After all, Facebook's products and the third-party apps it uses have been hacked multiple times and thousands of users' sensitive data has been stolen. At the same time, the company WhatsApp has always insisted that their app functions separately. that they are committed to creating and maintaining a reliable and secure messenger.
This will change soon. Facebook representatives recently announced that they want to merge their three messengers. Company going to merge facebook messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram platform messenger features so that users can exchange messages between these platforms.
Our source confirms that these plans also include rolling out end-to-end encryption on all three platforms. In theory, this would make Facebook Messenger and Instagram as reliable platforms as WhatsApp. On the other hand, it could make the WhatsApp messenger less reliable if it had to meet the standards of the other two platforms.
Whatsapp Security Gaps
WhatsApp promises users end-to-end encryption - excellent protection. Of course, there are several issues that developers need to work on.
The service disclaimer states: “As part of the Facebook group of companies, WhatsApp receives information from them and share data with them. We may use the information we receive from these companies, and they, in turn, may use the information we share with them to help manage, provide, improve, recognize, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings.”
“Facebook and other companies in the Facebook group of companies may also use our information. to improve the services delivered to users, for example, to offer some company products.”
“We do not store our users' messages when we are in the routine business of providing our Services. In doing so, we store information about our users' accounts, including user profile pictures, usernames, and profile status, if the user chooses to provide it as their primary profile information."
In other words, this means that your messages are protected, but at the same time WhatsApp stores user data on private servers. The Company reserves the right to use this data for marketing purposes.
Furthermore, data that is stored on their servers may be shared with government authorities in the event of an emergency. Hackers can also break into WhatsApp servers and gain access to phone numbers and user profile data.
5 Best WhatsApp Alternatives - These Apps Will Protect You and Your Privacy
1. signal
Signal messenger is free, uses strong data encryption and works on all mobile platforms. Like most other instant messengers, the application Signal is very easy to use. You can also make voice and video calls so you won't miss WhatsApp.
Signal also has a desktop app, so you can use it on your computer too and not just on smartphones.
Each message is encrypted, only the recipient and sender can read it. Messages cannot be hacked by hackers. Signal uses open-source encryption source code , so that experts can always test it on their own and find bugs. This makes the application even more reliable.
Users can delete your messages by setting the time interval after which they are automatically deleted. This guarantees your privacy even if someone else gains access to your smartphone.
In Signal no animated emoji. But you can import emoji from your device into the app.
pros
- End-to-End Encryption
- Open source encryption
- Available for all major platforms
- "Disappearing" messages
Minuses
- No animated emoji
2.Threema
Threema promises users absolute privacy. Your contact lists and group chat data are stored exclusively on your device and not in the app. Messages are deleted immediately after reading. Plus, you can chat with people with your 8-digit Threema ID without using your phone number, further protecting your data. You can check contacts with unique QR codes.
Threema uses end-to-end encryption for all message types, including text, voice calls, files, and group chats. The app even encrypts your status so no one can track what you post. Messages can only be read by the intended recipients.
You can safely use the Threema web browser extension. Like WhatsApp, the application has editing functions, you can specify the location and send files. Unlike WhatsApp, users can create polls and likes on individual messages. You can even hide certain chats and protect access to them with a password.
Threema is registered in Switzerland, which is famous for its user privacy laws.
pros
- No need to use a phone number
- Contacts can be checked using QR codes
- Text editing functions
- You can password protect chats
Minuses
3.Telegram
Telegram has over 200 million active users, so it's a popular WhatsApp alternative. The cloud application works on all platforms. Like WhatsApp, it uses a two-tick system to show that the message has been read by the recipient.
The application defaults to end-to-end encryption for voice calls so no one can eavesdrop on your conversations. At the same time, message encryption must be enabled manually so that they do not accumulate.
Like the Signal app, Telegram allows you to automatically delete messages after a certain amount of time. Here you can also share multimedia files.
pros
- Simple and convenient platform
- Cloud storage so you don't lose important data
Minuses
- Encryption is not enabled by default, it must be enabled manually
- The developers have created their own encryption standards, which have been criticized more than once
4.Wire
The Wire app is protected by European data retention laws, so it's a secure messenger that uses end-to-end encryption. There are free individual accounts and paid ones. tariff plans for business With additional features and support. The Wire service prides itself on making video and audio communications between users seamless.
Wire supports 1:1 screen sharing for group chats as well. Also supported here distribution of multimedia files and filtering of audio files. You can log into your account from up to eight synced devices, and the app is compatible with all major platforms.
You can make text bold and italic, and create chat lists. You will also be able optimize file sizes for easier sharing, as well as set up timers for deleting messages for additional protection.
pros
- Secure Chats
- Self-deleting messages
- Ability to use 8 devices simultaneously
- Graphically rich dialogues
Minuses
- Paid App
5. Riot.IM
The application supports Internet telephony and video calls, and also encrypts the end-to-end message method. Each user receives a unique identification number; this number is used instead of a phone number to protect the anonymity of users.
Riot works on the base open source. There are bots here, but any developer can create their own. This is how users can interact with the application, making it more flexible and secure. Due to its open source code, Riot is more suitable for development teams than corporate clients.
The Riot app is powered by various chat rooms, and users can go to any public chats. There are also private chats here, which can be accessed via an invitation link.
In addition to all, desktop application has a simple and user-friendly interface , and the application itself is available in seven languages. You will also be able to interact with other applications.
pros
- An identification number username instead of phone number
- Open source program
- Simple and convenient desktop client
- The app is available in seven languages
Minuses
- Encryption is not enabled by default, must be enabled manually
If you want to be sure that your private messages remain private, you should forget about WhatsApp and look for safer alternatives. The applications suggested in our review are known for their safety.
Looking for more security tools? Read our articles on how
WhatsApp needs no introduction. Sooner or later, all users of smartphones and tablets will learn about it, no matter what platform the device works on. The messenger is free, functional, intuitive and easy to use. But this third party application, and like any program sometimes breaks, or even simply does not start.
There are many options, but sometimes users have to look for analogues whatsapp messenger. Here another problem arises. There are a lot of programs of this class in official stores, and in free internet even more. And it is sometimes difficult for an inexperienced person to make their choice in favor of one or another application. The issue is further aggravated by the fact that each of us has our own list of contacts - and if WhatsApp does not work, we need to look for a version that our friend, colleague, relative will have.
Russian users' choice
Sociologists conducted a survey and found out which messengers are similar to WhatsApp, according to the average smartphone owner in Russia.
Poll results:
- Viber.
- Skype.
- Messenger (Facebook).
- Hangouts (Google).
The top three, besides him, for several years now includes Viber (Viber) and Skype (Skype). Also called Facebook Messenger and the brainchild of the American search engine Hangouts. The ratio can be seen in the diagram: 
And this is the answer to the same question Play market- store for android devices, Power Users service providers know that when viewing a single page, you can see similar options - on the right when viewed from a computer, or below when viewed from a mobile. In the same place, by pressing a separate button, it opens full list. This is what the page of similar applications for WhatsApp looks like in the Play Market. 
There is more choice, and the current location depends on the ratings of the downloaders. Some countries release their own versions of programs that are also on this list, so you need to treat it with a healthy dose of skepticism. For example, Line - estimated good app, but adapted for Japan.
In order to make right choice it is necessary to consider the possibilities and key features of the programs that users from Russia install.
A dozen articles will not be enough to describe the full capabilities of each development, so there will be a brief overview of each.
Viber (Viber)
Skype
It makes little sense to describe Skype separately. The dialer, well known to PC owners, was ported to work on mobile OS. All functions and features are present. Unlike the application described above, if a person wants to communicate through this messenger, he must be constantly online.
Considering some unadvertised features of the desktop version, which have also been transferred to the mobile version, the use of this messenger entails a large amount of traffic and battery power. This is due to the fact that Skype's own server has not learned to distinguish between mobile and desktop clients.
The only advantage of this Skype is that the program on the basis of which it is made appeared before the viber. If the user previously had clients on Skype, he does not lose anything when changing programs. In other cases, Viber will be a better choice.
Messenger
The application, the main name of which clearly indicates the functions, is the development of Facebook, the owner of the eponymous social network. Practically speaking, it is ported to mobile platforms a chat feature provided to users of a social network.
This implies the conclusion that, despite the fact that there are several versions of this manager in the Play Market, it makes no sense to use it without having an account on a social network. But, according to sociologists, in Russia there are no fewer people registered on Facebook than on VK or classmates.
Some respondents noted that they do not have a separate messenger, as they use special application, allowing you to stay in the social network all the time. It remains to be noted that there are options in stores that allow you to constantly “sit” not only on Facebook.
Hangouts
Hangout advances Google. It appeared in 2013, merging together several services of the concern:
- google talk,
- Google+ Chats;
- Google+ Hangouts
It doesn't have much popularity. According to unverified rumors, all new android versions already have this application included. The service is cross-platform, allows you to use it not only on mobile electronics. Works as a browser add-on, which limits its functionality.
According to the developers, the program should seriously push the position of WhatsApp, but judging by the user surveys, there is no reason to hope for this in the near future. Normally, only text chat functions in the mobile version. But the development of the program does not stop.
Conclusion
Technology does not stand still. Feature phones gradually being replaced by smartphones, and short SMS normal text messages. With the advent of WhatsApp in 2009, it became possible to use texts, files, and even videos. Demand creates supply and modern analogues of the WhatsApp messenger are provided to users big choice from simple text messages (Facebook Messenger) to full-fledged video conferencing (Viber).
The WhatsApp app for the iOS platform is very popular among iPhone users. Anyone who wants to save money on sending text messages can switch from SMS to this application to share text, photos, audio and video recordings with other users for free. All functions are already included in the price of the program and there is no need to buy anything inside.
Of course, this development is not perfect and has a number of limitations, so we decided to offer you several alternatives to this wonderful service.
LINE is a free calling and messaging app for contacts in your iPhone address book. This development has three key features: The ability to make voice calls, built-in emoticons that you can send to friends on Windows, Mac and other devices, and a user-friendly interface.
Download LINE for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
Skype
Skype supports not only video calls, but also text messages. In order to start using the service, it is enough to register, launch the program and enter the data of your account. You can keep in touch with iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac or Windows PC users via Wi-Fi or 3G network.
Download Skype for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
Tango Video Calls
Thanks to free application Tango Video Calls iPhone users can send messages and make video calls over Wi-Fi and 3G networks. The program is very popular among owners of iOS devices. After installation, it automatically picks up contacts from the address book, allowing you to work with the application without registering on the service.
Download Tango Video Calls for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
GroupMe is a great WhatsApp alternative. The program allows using a mobile client (for iPhone and iPad) on the fly to create groups of users from your contact list and exchange text messages with them, as well as organize voice conferences. Messages can be transmitted both via the Internet and (in case of its absence or poor quality) in the form of regular SMS.
Download GroupMe for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
Chat ON
ChatON by Samsung is a convenient messaging service. It allows you to easily and easily communicate with friends and family from anywhere in the world, regardless of which platform it works on. mobile device. With ChatON you can chat in a one-on-one mode or in a group, chatting with several users in one window. You can create special animated messages, write notes by hand and draw pictures, send photos and music.
Download ChatON for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
Viber
Viber is one of the most famous WhatsApp alternatives. Viber app allows you not only to correspond, but also to make free voice calls from iPhone to iPhone, as well as phones under Android control, Windows phone and Blackberry OS. The program is absolutely free, demonstrates high quality voice transmission and works on WiFi networks and 3G. After installation and verification phone number, the program synchronizes the list of contacts on the iPhone, after which it shows subscribers with Viber installed.
Download Viber for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
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