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How to use WhatsApp without internet

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It’s a distinctly modern problem: you want to talk on WhatsApp but you can’t get an internet connection. If you want to know how to use WhatsApp without internet access, we have some suggestions for you. Some are better than others, so read on to find which suits you best. 

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Here's a guide for using WhatsApp without the internet. / © ANDROIDPIT

How to use WhatsApp without internet: using WhatsApp via SMS

WhatsApp uses your internet connection instead of phone networks’ SMS systems, so WhatsApp-ing over SMS would be a strange thing for the firm to offer. It’d be a bit like Uber offering to call a yellow cab, or Airbnb recommending a hotel.

There are, however, SMS alternatives that emulate the WhatsApp interface. Unlimited texting comes bundled with a lot of cell phone plans, so you can use them with the familiarity of WhatsApp's design. Who knows, you might want to make use of your unused SMS plan anyway. Check out our list of the best texting apps for some suggestions.

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Make use of your unlimited SMS plan while not using WhatsApp. / © ANDROIDPIT

How to use WhatsApp without internet: manage the backlog

So many messages go past us, it's tough to get to them all. Sometimes, we brush right past important messages from our contacts and don't even know it. If you don't have an internet connection, then it's a good time to get started on cleaning up that backlog of messages. 

If you don't have an internet connection, you can browse, read and delete all of your past messages. You can view your photos and videos and sort through them. After you look at your messages you can create drafts so when you get back online your messages will just send automatically. Think of it as a good opportunity to get caught up with your messages. 

AndroidPIT xiaomi MI 3 Whatsapp
You can use the time away from the internet to get caught up with your messages. / © ANDROIDPIT

How to use WhatsApp without internet: WhatsApp Bluetooth Messenger

WhatsApp Bluetooth Messenger is a way to use WhatsApp without internet connectivity. But even the name should set alarm bells ringing, because Bluetooth is a short-range radio technology that has nothing to do with the internet. Have you ever heard someone say, “Hey guys! It doesn’t matter that we don’t have phone or internet signal! I have Bluetooth!"? Exactly.

The fact the app isn’t in Google Play is also alarming. It uses the WhatsApp name without having any connection to WhatsApp the company (its developers are 'Awesome Developers', not WhatsApp Inc). It also doesn’t use WhatsApp usernames or passwords. This is not an authorized app from WhatsApp and could breach the terms and conditions of the official WhatsApp: so be careful. We installed it so we could give you an idea of what it's like. And guess what? It’s crap. 

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We've investigated whether WhatsApp works without the internet. / © ANDROIDPIT

After foisting the All-in-one Downloader and loads of misleading advertisements on us, WhatsApp Bluetooth Messenger proved to be a very simplistic bare-bones chat program for messaging over short distances via Bluetooth. And that’s it. We tried to pair it with an iPhone running WhatsApp and – not surprisingly – it didn’t work. 

If you want to get a message to somebody who’s within Bluetooth range you can always get their attention by making sounds with your mouth or writing them a note. Those options don’t require the internet either, and they also won’t blast you with annoying ads.

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Some alternatives to WhatsApp just don't hold their water. / © ANDROIDPIT

How to use WhatsApp without internet: using ChatSim

Technically, using ChatSim does use the internet – but it uses somebody else’s internet, so that doesn’t really count. It’s a roaming service: so if you’re in a location where you can’t get your usual phone network provider’s data signal, or if you’re traveling and there’s no Wi-Fi around and data roaming is prohibitively expensive, then ChatSim might be the answer.

It’s a chat-specific global SIM card that’s struck deals with a whole range of mobile operators to deliver data and MMS services. With the SIM installed everything’s automatic: if you’re in range of a partner’s data service, your phone connects to it and you can WhatsApp away to your heart’s content.

ChatSim costs around US$10 for a year of unlimited chats and texts (provided you behave yourself: you mustn’t repeatedly exceed the average daily traffic limit, which is defined as: "the average traffic exchanged by all active basic rate ChatSim cards"). 

chatsim
ChatSim is exclusively a chat service that gives you unlimited messaging for a fixed amount. / © Zeromobile Srl

It’s important to note that ChatSim is all about chat, chat and nothing but chat. If you read the press blurb you’ll see that it actually blocks traffic from non-chat apps in order to keep chat apps running smoothly, so it’s not a solution if you want a fully functional internet connection when you’re traveling. For that, you’ll need a SIM with data roaming, not just chat.

What do you do when you don't have an internet connection? Let us know in the comments!

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Go to comment (13)
Gary Marshall

Gary Marshall
Freelance writer

Former lion tamer, Girls Aloud backing dancer and habitual liar Gary Marshall has been writing about technology since Google was two guys in a garage. He's written for many fine magazines, newspapers and websites, written a range of how-to-books and a novel, co-written a BBC documentary series and dishes out weekly tech advice on BBC Radio Scotland.

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13 comments
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  • 1
    Wayne Shorter Aug 9, 2016 Link to comment

    Usual whishiwashi, promising advice and than a sales recommendation eventually.
    Have you thought about telling us the source as well as how to order that without internet, dipshit?


  • 7
    Ram SIngh Jun 25, 2016 Link to comment

    Where can i get this sim ?


  • 6
    Mohamed Mujees Apr 4, 2016 Link to comment

    WHERE CAN I GET THIS SHIT?


  • Michel Strouts 3
    Michel Strouts Apr 3, 2016 Link to comment

    From where can i get the chatsim ?

    Mohamed Mujees


  • 9
    Alex W. Apr 3, 2016 Link to comment

    ....so basicly, just as I thought, no way around the lack of internet! so why the catchy headline????


  • 12
    joost Apr 2, 2016 Link to comment

    I agree with some of the commentors having no internet can be a blessing.
    But I can remember long time ago I had an Nokia commnicator 9210. With it I could type a message and sent it as a fax. It wasn't as fast as whatsap but it worked to get my notes to whoever had a fax . and in those days a lot of people still had a faxmachine at home. Isn't there an app for that in the androidera? or are the phone carriers not suitable for fax anymore?


  • 32
    Deactivated Account Apr 2, 2016 Link to comment

    They make huge money from shipping, i have to pay $520 for shipping it to my place. I think with that money i can access full internet for next 5 years and who in the world only sent text.


  • 14
    Sean Stockemer Apr 1, 2016 Link to comment

    Making sounds with your mouth...
    I lol'ed. 😂


  • Alltechviral.com 1
    Alltechviral.com Apr 1, 2016 Link to comment

    very nice article gray marshal really appreciate for it, keep it up


  • Payal Rathod 1
    Payal Rathod Sep 9, 2015 Link to comment

    It is very nice posts in coming future it will be more benefited and miss using also.


  • Aabharan 4
    Aabharan Aug 20, 2015 Link to comment

    Great Post. Because it helps us to realize that we need each other to stay in this world. Our existence isn’t unnecessary and worthless.
    Every face is different. Every voice is different. World has got an abundant resources of smiles, happiness and care. We need to find it, feel it and share it with others.

    Payal Rathod


  • Nirjon Ahmed 6
    Nirjon Ahmed Aug 18, 2015 Link to comment

    nice....


  • Junaid Q. 17
    Junaid Q. Aug 18, 2015 Link to comment

    Nice app to chat in college lectures without internet connection

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