WhatsApp for seniors: a simple setup and safety guide

If your family lives abroad, or the grandkids have a group chat, there’s a good chance they use WhatsApp. It’s free, works on iPhone and Android, and lets you message, send photos and make voice or video calls over Wi-Fi without international charges.

Here’s how to get started, and how to keep it safe.

What you need

• A smartphone (iPhone or Android)
• Your mobile phone number, since WhatsApp uses it as your account
• Your phone nearby to receive a text message code during setup

Step 1: Install WhatsApp

1. Open the App Store on iPhone or the Play Store on Android.
2. Search for WhatsApp Messenger. Check that the developer is WhatsApp Inc.
3. Tap Get or Install.

Step 2: Set up your account

1. Open WhatsApp and tap Agree and continue.
2. Enter your mobile phone number.
3. WhatsApp sends a six-digit code by text. Often it fills in automatically. If not, type it in.
4. Allow WhatsApp to access your Contacts when asked. This is how it finds family members who already use WhatsApp.
5. Add your name and, if you like, a photo. This is what family will see.

Important: that six-digit setup code is only for you. If anyone ever asks you to read it to them, even a friend’s account messaging you, don’t. It’s one of the most common ways WhatsApp accounts are stolen.

Step 3: Send a message

1. Tap the Chats tab at the bottom.
2. Tap the new chat button (a plus sign or a speech bubble with a plus).
3. Choose a person from your contacts.
4. Type your message in the box at the bottom and tap the send arrow.

You’ll see small check marks next to your message. One gray check means sent. Two gray checks means delivered. Two blue checks means they’ve read it.

Step 4: Send a photo

1. Open the chat.
2. Tap the plus sign (iPhone) or the paperclip (Android) next to the message box.
3. Choose Photos or Gallery, pick a photo, and tap send.

To take a new photo, tap the camera icon instead.

Step 5: Send a voice message

If typing on a small keyboard is frustrating, voice messages are wonderful.

1. Open the chat.
2. Press and hold the microphone button on the right of the message box.
3. Speak, then let go to send.

To record a longer message hands-free, press the microphone and slide your finger up to the lock icon. Tap send when you’re done.

Step 6: Make a voice or video call

Open the chat and tap the phone icon for a voice call or the video camera icon for a video call. On Wi-Fi, calls to family abroad are free. For more on video calls, including FaceTime and Zoom, see video calling the grandkids, made simple.

Family groups

Family members can add you to a group chat, where everyone sees everyone’s messages. If a busy group gets noisy, you can mute it: open the group, tap its name at the top, then tap Mute and choose how long. You’ll still see messages when you open the app, but your phone won’t buzz every time.

Make it easier to read

• Text size follows your phone’s settings. See how to make text bigger.
• In WhatsApp, open Settings, then Chats, then Font size on Android to make it bigger still.

Privacy and safety settings worth turning on

Open WhatsApp, tap Settings (the gear on iPhone, or the three dots then Settings on Android), then Privacy:

1. Silence unknown callers: under Calls, turn on Silence unknown callers. Calls from numbers not in your contacts won’t ring.
2. Groups: set Who can add me to groups to My contacts. This stops strangers from adding you to scam groups.
3. Profile photo and Last seen: set to My contacts.

Then go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification and turn it on. Choose a six-digit PIN you’ll remember and add an email address. This makes it much harder for anyone to take over your account.

Common WhatsApp scams

• "Hi Mum, I’ve got a new number." A message from an unknown number claiming to be your son or daughter on a new phone, then asking for money for an urgent bill. Call your child on their old number before doing anything.
• "I sent you a code by mistake, can you send it back?" This is someone trying to steal your account. Never share codes.
• Job offers and investment tips from strangers, often with a friendly photo.
• Wrong-number chats that turn into friendship, then romance, then money requests.

If a stranger messages you, you can tap Block and Report right in the chat. For more warning signs, see how to spot a scam call or text.

When to get help

Setting up WhatsApp, finding family contacts and getting the privacy settings right is a quick job with a second pair of hands. We can set it up with you, add the family, and practice sending a photo and voice message until it feels easy. We help across DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, at home or by video, and family members can join from wherever they are. Book a free 15-minute call.