WhatsApp is the world’s most used mobile messenger app, with over 2 billion active members monthly—around ten times its monthly users in 2014, when Facebook acquired it.
But that’s not why we are here today. This piece aims to delve into another version of this app—the WhatsApp Plus app. Several questions and concerns have been raised about this new app, which we want to dissect and clarify.
For instance, what is WhatsApp Plus?
- How does it work?
- Is WhatsApp Plus an upgraded version of WhatsApp?
- What are the main features of this new app?
If you’ve had these questions bother your mind, here are their answers.
Table of Contents
What is WhatsApp Plus?
First, WhatsApp and WhatsApp Plus apps are different platforms developed by other developers.
WhatsApp LLC created WhatsApp, while some third-party developers developed WhatsApp Plus.
Generally, WhatsApp Plus is not an official platform. It is an unofficial, modified version of the original WhatsApp messenger, offering more features than the original app.
These extra features, which improve the user experience on WhatsApp, have caught some people’s attention.
However, before you start using this new app, it is prudent to understand the risks that come with it. Don’t just look at the benefits.
WhatsApp Plus is an unofficial app currently unavailable from the Google Play store. You can only install the app on your phone by downloading the APK File and installing it manually, which could be risky for your phone and data.
But what makes this new WhatsApp Plus app so attractive? Let’s look at its main features.
WhatsApp Plus Features
WhatsApp Plus boasts numerous extra features that the original WhatsApp messenger still needs. These include:
Theme Customization
With WhatsApp Plus, you can leverage its multiple themes and colors to customize your app’s appearance. That way, your app can have a more personalized look and feel.
For instance, you can easily change your app’s design, fonts, and colors to give it a more unique but appealing look. The numerous themes and color schemes provide you with more than enough options.
Enhanced Privacy Settings
WhatsApp Plus gives its users access to more privacy settings. The user has increased control over what they do online.
For example, users can hide their online status using the hide online status feature. That way, other users will think they are offline while they are online using the app.
You can also turn off read receipts. This feature prevents other users from seeing whether you’ve read their texts, which is a great privacy feature in conversations. The original WhatsApp Messenger also included this feature.
With WhatsApp Plus, you can also control your last-seen status. You decide who can and who cannot see your last seen status.
More Emojis and Stickers
People love using emojis and stickers. And the WhatsApp Plus app offers just what you need and more. It has a vast array of stickers and emojis for you to use.
Here, you’ll find more emojis than are available in the original app. You can also download numerous stickers, adding variety and fun to your messages.
Higher Limits on Media Sharing
WhatsApp conversations include sharing files and videos. Now, WhatsApp Plus allows you to share your desired files and videos.
With the app, you can share larger files, more than what the official WhatsApp app permits. This means that you don’t have to worry about not being able to share large or high-resolution files and images.
Additionally, with the ability to share more extensive videos, you no longer have to trim them to enable sharing. You can easily share complete videos and have more fun with friends or family.
Ability to Disable Voice Calls
If you want people to refrain from calling you on WhatsApp, this new app lets you turn off the calls option. This way, you can enjoy your peace without some nagging calls.
Also, if you want to hide your profile picture, the app offers that option. It is an extra layer of privacy to your online presence.
Undelete Sent Messages
Did you delete some messages you sent but want them back? WhatsApp Plus app gives you that privilege.
Now, you don’t have to keep trying to remember what you sent but deleted. Undelete it and get your texts back.
Supports Multiple Accounts
While the original WhatsApp app allows only two accounts on the same phone, WhatsApp Plus allows up to four. This means that the new app offers broader options.
Downsides of WhatsApp Plus
WhatsApp Plus has its reasonable share of downsides despite having several attractive features. They include:
Security and Privacy Issues
As an unofficial app, WhatsApp Plus presents several security and privacy risks. For example, it is not guided by the same rules and protocols as the official apps, which can compromise your data and privacy.
For instance, it doesn’t include end-to-end encryption, which can easily lead to data breaches that compromise the privacy of your chats.
Legal Issues
Since the WhatsApp Plus app is not official and not legally authorized by WhatsApp Inc., it may lead to legal issues for users. Some of the main problems here include:
- Unauthorized usage
- Possible account bans
- Violation of WhatsApp’s terms of service
Using WhatsApp Plus may be seen as violating WhatsApp Inc.’s intellectual property rights. You might also be violating the original app’s terms of service, which can lead to a possible ban on your account. So, be aware when installing WhatsApp Plus on your phone.
Support and Updates Issues
Since the app is not official, you must know when support or app updates can stop. The developers can stop support and updates anytime, as they do not operate under the standard rules and protocols like the official apps.
WhatsApp Plus might be prone to bugs, outdated features, and other vulnerabilities without regular updates. This can easily lead to incompatibility with new devices and poor user experience.
Not Easy to Install
As mentioned earlier, the app is unavailable on the Google Play store. You can only install it using an APK file from its website, and it’s done manually. That makes it more challenging than installing official apps found on Google Play.
Differences Between WhatsApp and WhatsApp Plus
Let’s compare these two apps side-by-side and see what makes them different. That way, you can see which app is better for you.
Safety
The original WhatsApp is an official app, while WhatsApp Plus isn’t. Consequently, The former is safer to use than the latter.
Ease of Installation
WhatsApp Plus is unavailable in the Google Play store, while the WhatsApp app is. It’s, therefore, easier to download and install the original app than WhatsApp Plus.
Risk of Being Banned
Your account can quickly be banned since WhatsApp Plus can contravene intellectual property rights. However, using the official WhatsApp messenger is safe and not affected by account bans.
Security and Privacy
The original WhatsApp app is safer because it is official and uses standard safety protocols. It also uses end-to-end encryption features that guarantee the privacy of your conversations and data.
Customization
WhatsApp Plus offers more customization opportunities than the WhatsApp app. With the new app, you can personalize your app’s appearance with the vast number of colors and themes it offers. These are not available in the original app.
Number of Accounts
WhatsApp allows only two accounts on the same device. On the other hand, WhatsApp Plus will enable you to have up to four accounts.
Undeleting Messages
With WhatsApp, once you delete a message, it is gone forever. However, this is different with WhatsApp Plus. Using its undeleting feature, you can restore sent messages that you have already deleted. The feature makes the new app more appealing to many people.
Making the Switch: How Do You Switch to WhatsApp Plus from WhatsApp?
You should back up your chats and files when moving from WhatsApp to WhatsApp Plus.
However, Google Drive or local drive backups will only help here. You need to back up your data manually.
But don’t worry. Here is a step-by-step backup process using a third-party app called Dr. Fone.
Back up your WhatsApp Chats and Files on your PC
The first step in making this switch is backing up your WhatsApp data. How do you do this?
- Install Dr. Fone on your PC: Visit their official site and download the software. After a successful download, install and launch it. Click the “WhatsApp Transfer” button, which is visible on the screen.
- Connect your phone: Connect the phone to your PC using the USB cable. Then, go to the “WhatsApp” icon on the app’s left side panel and click “Backup WhatsApp messages.”
- View Backup: A “View It” button appears once the backup is complete. Click the button to see all your backed-up data.
Restore the Data on WhatsApp Plus
Once the backup is complete, you can transfer this data to your WhatsApp Plus app. Follow these steps:
- Launch Dr. Fone on your PC and click “WhatsApp Transfer” on the first screen.
- Connect your phone to your PC, and from the left panel, click “WhatsApp” and then “Restore to Device.”
- Choose your backup source from the list that appears, then click next.
- You’ll then see a “Restore” button, which you must click to start the process.
You’ll be notified once the process is complete, and you’re now ready to use your WhatsApp Plus.
Can You Switch Back from WhatsApp Plus to WhatsApp?
You can go back to your original WhatsApp app. You only need to follow these simple steps:
- First, backup the WhatsApp Plus data: This backs up up to 7 days of recent chats
- Uninstall the WhatsApp Plus app.
- Download the original WhatsApp app from Google Play.
- Once you install the new app and launch it using the same mobile number, it detects the backed-up data and prompts you to restore it.
- Click “Restore” to start restoring your data.
- Follow the rest of the prompts to complete the process.
If you want to restore your WhatsApp chat history, you must take the longer route.
This involves following all the steps we explained earlier for switching to WhatsApp Plus, but this time, you’ll be moving from WhatsApp Plus to WhatsApp.
So, you need to:
- Backup the WhatsApp Plus data on your PC – use Dr. Fone
- Restore the Data to WhatsApp original app
It is more straightforward, especially if you follow the steps accurately.
Is WhatsApp Plus Safe to Use?
First, WhatsApp Plus is unofficial; second, it is not listed on the Google Play store. These two factors make the app relatively unsafe.
Why?
It is unofficial, which means it doesn’t have to follow the laid standards of official apps. Consequently, it might need the right security features to protect your data or privacy.
Additionally, the fact that you have to get it from a third-party source causes more concerns. It would help if you ascertained that the app’s source is legit and trusted to deliver your personal information and data into the right hands.
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Some sites can infect your phone with malware or steal and use your data unscrupulously. If security and privacy are among your top priorities, stick to the original WhatsApp.
