I need a workaround for WhatsApp

gabubonico

I got banned from WhatsApp for no apparent reason, but the next day my account was restored. When I tried to log in again, neither the SMS nor the verification call would arrive.

For context:

I can use WhatsApp on other devices without issues.
I’ve already tried granting all permissions to both Google Services and WhatsApp, enabling Exploit Protection Compatibility Mode, uninstalling and reinstalling Google Services, putting my SIM in another device to receive the SMS there, downgrading WhatsApp, updating WhatsApp, creating a new user, and every possible combination of these steps.
The logs show an exception called com.whatsapp.registration.app.parole.CustomRegistrationBlockActivity, which makes me think my device itself might be blacklisted.

Since my account works elsewhere but the verification process fails exclusively on my GrapheneOS device, it’s likely being blocked at the device level. That’s why I’m looking for a workaround that lets me use WhatsApp despite this restriction.

P.S.: I know WhatsApp is not privacy friendly app but I can't make my normie friends, coworkers or my boomer family members to download Signal so please don't comment something in that lines.

Thank you so much for your help.

W1zardK1ng

gabubonico enable passkey and use it for login insted of the sms.

ed25519

Are you using a vpn, what is your location? And what version you are downloading?

gabubonico

ed25519 I am not using a vpn, I'm in Spain, and as I said I downloaded both the latest version (from Play Store and Aurora Store) and a version from july which I can't recall but didn't work either

schklom

Try on a new User Profile. If it works, then I would backup Graphene and apps that aren't backed up by Seedvault (e.g. Signal and Whatsapp) then reinstall Graphene then try again.

Also make sure Whatsapp is installed via the Play Store. It shouldn't cause issues anyways, but who knows?

gabubonico

schklom It doesn't work on a new profile, what could this mean??

AndyM

Try to use apk from whatsapp website, not from google play. Install/update if via obtainium. It does work (including receiving calls) without google play, so, to be on safe side, uninstall google play if you have one installed (temporary) for initial whatsapp setup and configuration. WA does not seem to like register accounts on graphene, at least it was my case (all sorts of errors, similar to yours). The following worked: setup normal whatsapp account on a common non-graphene phone, connect this second phone and pixel+graphene both to the same wifi network, open working whatsapp on the second phone and try to register the desired number on graphene OS whatsapp. So it will start transferring existing account from 2nd phone without any sms, just the confirmation code from the 2nd phone. Worked in my case.

gabubonico

AndyM I did this the first time I installed WA (before getting banned). I tried to do the same but now it doesn't give me the prompt to transfer my old account :/ but thanks for your answer

NetRunner88

Yes I confirm, use the apk from the official website
No ban, you can use VPN, burner account etc. No issue

gabubonico

NetRunner88 Doesn't work, even with a brand new SIM card :/ but thanks for your answer

gta3

Use molly foss
Uses signal network so can converse with signal users

job_shredder69

gta3 OP said converting their peers to Signal isn't viable.

schklom

gabubonico It only means that creating a new profile won't solve this. I thought it might, but no.
I suggest retrying in a few days.

In the meantime, you could always leave a device at home, have Whatsapp on it, and on your GOS phone login to https://web.whatsapp.com then enable notifications. Not very user-friendly, but you would get notifications and inbound+outbound texts and calls through the browser.

gabubonico

gabubonico It worked for a new profile with a new SIM card and a new mail, now I have to export all of my contacts lol, thanks everyone!

gabubonico

schklom Thanks for the tip! I finally made it work on a new profile with a new SIM card but it is such a pain in the ass to make everyone I know add me on my new phone number lol

Google_disliker

Hi, how are people finding creating WhatsApp accounts lately, it seems that people have been getting some really varied results. I really need to try to get the app working myself at some point since without it I'm not going to be able to move some of my friends off of other worse platforms.

Is it still possible to create an account on graphene or do you need to first do it on the stock OS before transferring the account over to the graphene device? Also do any of the exploit protection toggles / VPN need to be disabled when doing so?

Sorry for asking questions which have already been asked many times, but I get the impression that whatsapp's security checks may have changed a lot lately and I would like some form of confidence that I'll be able to get it working before going out and buying another phone number (I have tried and failed to receive the SMS the last time I tried)

Many thanks

rhino

Google_disliker
within a 12 hour period, I had created a WA account, been banned for spam, ( neither having sent or received a single message ), and deleted WA.
Two days later I get an email stating my account was under review... Like I cared.
WA, their AI ( Automated Incompetence ) and its algorithm, seem to be running wild... All of this was on a Pixel with stock android installed.

Maketrades

Google_disliker I really need to try to get the app working myself at some point since without it I'm not going to be able to move some of my friends off of other worse platforms.

What platform is worse then whatsapp?? Hahaah