Advice on how best to install WhatsApp

JasonPaterson

Hi forum,

I'm looking for a walk through or set of best practices to install WhatsApp.

Soon I will transition to GrapheneOS, and I would like to install WhatsApp on there. Now I found out that you can get locked out of WhatsApp if you somehow trigger their system.

I have done a web search, but what I haven't found is what's the best way to install WhatsApp currently. I understand there might not be a guaranteed way of it to work.

Since I'm new and don't use GrapheneOS yet, I don't understand all info I find.
I understand there are different ways of installing WhatsApp. Through Google Play, through their website, and through Obtainium. I don't know really know what's best.

I found someone say that possible problems are (but not sure if true):

Using a VPN: don't use a VPN.
Not having Google Play installed: install Google Play
Not installing WhatsApp with Google Play: install WhatsApp with Google Play.
Blocking the Play Integrity API: Go to Settings > Apps > All apps > WhatsApp and change Play Integrity API settings there.

If someone can point me towards a set of clear instructions, that would be really helpful.
Thank you in advance,
Jason

N1b

The main question is probably whether you have long term access to the number you sign up with or not. I tried smspool service to not give away my true cellular number and it usually gets blocked after a few days. When you have access to the number, usually you can restore a flagged account account easily. If you worry about VPN, sign up on a public network or a mobile hotspot from another phone.

As for usage:

If feasible, use it in a different profile (notification forwarding) or private space to prevent it from communicating with other apps.
Use contact scopes to share only contacts that you want to text.
go through the respective privacy settings in WhatsApp and make yourself as invisible as possible.

I have communities that exclusively use WhatsApp, but for my other circles such as family and friends I prefer to use Signal and rather have them not see me on WhatsApp.

VehicularClatter298

There was a discussion about how to install it safely just yesterday. You may find useful this comment in particular.

Also: Aurora Store is fine, you shouldn't need the Play store. And if you'll want to restore a backup, you'll also need Play services installed, with permission for Contacts & Storage. Check out this fairly recent article for guidance.