- To ensure the best possible user experience for Wickr users, we only support the latest OS versions. Android: 5.0 and up iOS: 11.0 and up Mac OS X: 10.13 and up Windows: 10 Linux: Ubuntu and Snap package. Please feel free to send requests if your operating system is not listed to support@wickr.com. The more requests we receive for a platform.
- Wickr never has access to your messages or your contact list. No phone number or email address is required to register on Wickr Me. Your address book remains private and is not stored on our servers. Wickr does not store any metadata associated with your communications. Wickr's code, policies, and security practices have been verified by the.
Millions of people around the world realized that Whatsapp stopped working on their phones earlier this week on 2nd of February 2020. If you woke up and wondered, ‘Why is my WhatsApp not working today?' and more importantly, ‘What should I do if WhatsApp is no longer working on my phone'? then this article is for you!
We've put together this list of messaging apps that are alternatives to WhatsApp, and honestly, in some case, these messaging apps are better than WhatsApp!
Wickr Me, our free (ad-free) flagship app, is the most trusted and secure messenger platform, powered by the world's most advanced multi-layered encryption and ephemerality trusted by millions. Wickr is open to everyone. Users can download the app for free via the App Store on iOS or the Google Play store on Android. As a result, criminals are exploiting the protection that Wickr offers to keep their activities well hidden. The Wickr subreddit reveals a lengthy list of request for various illegal substances. Somebody in Hong Kong is.
Which phones have been affected by WhatsApp's announcement?
The super-popular messaging and voice/video calling app, WhatsApp, now owned by Facebook, announced last year that it will withdraw support for millions of Android and iOS-based phones for security reasons in 2020. In addition to this, in December last year, the messaging app stopped working on Windows phones.
Fortunately, for Android-based phones and iPhones, only the older versions will face this problem. To be precise, WhatsApp stopped working on phones running on Android version 2.3.7, iPhone iOS 7 and older.
Why has WhatsApp stopped working on so many phones worldwide?
Of course, the first big question is ‘Why has WhatsApp withdrawn support from so many phones?' According to their blog, they have stopped actively developing the messaging app for different operating systems, which makes WhatsApp prone to bugs on those devices.
What Is Wickr Me App Used For
Therefore, to ensure the best user experience and maintain security standards, WhatsApp has officially stepped back from these phones.
What can I do if WhatsApp is not working on my phone?
You have three options:
- Get a better messaging app that is an alternative to WhatsApp if your phone has been affected,
- Upgrade your phone's operating system, but that can be difficult for non-tech savvy individuals,
- Get a new phone, if you have the budget to buy one or if it's impossible for you to be socially active online on WhatsApp alternatives.
Since this post is primarily about different messaging apps that can be used instead of WhatsApp, we'll go ahead and share them now.
Reviews of the 5 best messaging apps for Android and iPhone
If you're interested in finding the best messaging app for chatting and file sharing, apart from WhatsApp, go through our top list of alternatives. These messaging apps work on all types of phones and operating systems too. This means, if you need a messaging app for Samsung, One Plus or Huawei phones, these apps will work for you.
Alternatively, if you're looking for a messaging app for your Android device or iPhone, these apps will surely fulfil your purpose.
1. Telegram Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price for Telegram Messenger: FREE
The Telegram messaging app, officially known as Telegram Messenger, has been around for a few years but has not gained as much popularity as WhatsApp even though it offers extremely good data protection.
This mobile messaging app for Android and iPhone is well known for its strict security standards, so if you want an encrypted messaging app, Telegram is the right app for you.
If you are even more particular about keeping your chats private, you can also set the messages to self destruct after a while, which is a great feature, similar to the one offered by Snapchat.
In addition to this, if you want a messaging app that makes it easy to chat with large groups, say, a social club or a union, Telegram Messenger lets you create groups of up to 200,000 users!
So if you wondered what the Telegram app is used for, you now know it best for encrypted chats with large groups. Of course, the best part is that Telegram Messenger is free to download and use!
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
2. Facebook Messenger Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price for Facebook Messenger: Free
Even though this is a Facebook Messenger review, we all know that Facebook needs no introduction, and the same follows for the Facebook messaging app, officially titled, Facebook Messenger.
The messaging app is free to download and use, and works seamlessly with your Facebook account. This means you can easily use the Facebook messaging app to send text and video messages to anyone in your friend's list.
Facebook Messenger App also allows you to make voice and video calls to other Facebook Messenger users. To add to the fun, this messaging app lets you send fancy stickers, GIFs and share your location for better context.
Among all the positives, there are two negative features of Facebook Messenger. There are many privacy and data sharing issues related to Facebook, and the messaging app can take up quite of bit of storage space on your phone.
This short Facebook Messenger review would not be complete without mentioning that there is a special Facebook Messenger for Windows Desktop. As the name suggests, the app lets you use Facebook Messenger directly off your desktop! How convenient is that?
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
3. Signal Private Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price of Signal Private Messenger: Free
If you're looking for a messaging app with military-grade encryption, then Signal Private Messenger is the app of choice.
In terms of messaging features, Signal Private Messenger offers the typical array of group and individual chats in the form of text, photos, audioS and video messages. What really sets Signal Messenger apart is the high level of security, which is constantly being improved because the application software is open source.
If that doesn't check all your boxes for a good messaging app, then there is another feature you may love. Signal Messenger can also be used as your default SMS app so all text messages to other Signal app users are fully encrypted.
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
4. Line Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price of Line Messenger: Free
Line Messenger is hugely popular all over the world for its fun user interface. You can use the Line chat app for text, video and photo sharing, like any other messaging app, and can also hold video conferences with dozens of people at a time through your mobile phone.
What makes Line Messenger stand out are the cool stickers and the ability to use the messaging app as a social media platform. Not only do they have a Timeline feature but you can also use Line Messenger to follow public accounts set up by brands and famous people.
Wickr Me App Store App
Unlike the other software mentioned in this messaging app review, the Line app also lets you make international calls to landline and mobile numbers. This feature is not free of cost, though.
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
5. Wickr Private Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price of Wickr App: Free Wifi hotspot booster.
The last app we mention in this messaging apps review is none other than Wickr – another great instant messaging app for the security-conscious user. Wickr relies on end-to-end encrypted messages that are also self-destructive. This applies to everything you share, such as text chats, photos, videos and file attachments.
You have the ability to choose how long it takes for your messages to self-destruct, which is particularly useful. In addition to this, there's a ‘secure shredder' in the app which ensures all data related to your chats is erased.
So if your question was, ‘Is Wickr app safe?' The answer is a resounding YES! You want to ask again, ‘Are Wickr messages recoverable?' The answer is a resounding NO! This is because Wickr wipes your messages off its servers too.
If you prize your privacy in the age of prolific data sharing, you should be using WIckr Me or Wickr Pro as your primary messaging app.
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
Final thoughts on the 5 best messaging app review for Android and iPhone
There are tons of messaging apps you can use on your phone as an alternative to WhatsApp, even if WhatsApp is still working on your Android and iPhone. If you are interested in highly secure messaging apps, then Signal Private Messenger, Telegram Messenger and Wickr Me, as well as Wickr Pro, are ideal for you.
What Is Wickr Me App Used For
Therefore, to ensure the best user experience and maintain security standards, WhatsApp has officially stepped back from these phones.
What can I do if WhatsApp is not working on my phone?
You have three options:
- Get a better messaging app that is an alternative to WhatsApp if your phone has been affected,
- Upgrade your phone's operating system, but that can be difficult for non-tech savvy individuals,
- Get a new phone, if you have the budget to buy one or if it's impossible for you to be socially active online on WhatsApp alternatives.
Since this post is primarily about different messaging apps that can be used instead of WhatsApp, we'll go ahead and share them now.
Reviews of the 5 best messaging apps for Android and iPhone
If you're interested in finding the best messaging app for chatting and file sharing, apart from WhatsApp, go through our top list of alternatives. These messaging apps work on all types of phones and operating systems too. This means, if you need a messaging app for Samsung, One Plus or Huawei phones, these apps will work for you.
Alternatively, if you're looking for a messaging app for your Android device or iPhone, these apps will surely fulfil your purpose.
1. Telegram Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price for Telegram Messenger: FREE
The Telegram messaging app, officially known as Telegram Messenger, has been around for a few years but has not gained as much popularity as WhatsApp even though it offers extremely good data protection.
This mobile messaging app for Android and iPhone is well known for its strict security standards, so if you want an encrypted messaging app, Telegram is the right app for you.
If you are even more particular about keeping your chats private, you can also set the messages to self destruct after a while, which is a great feature, similar to the one offered by Snapchat.
In addition to this, if you want a messaging app that makes it easy to chat with large groups, say, a social club or a union, Telegram Messenger lets you create groups of up to 200,000 users!
So if you wondered what the Telegram app is used for, you now know it best for encrypted chats with large groups. Of course, the best part is that Telegram Messenger is free to download and use!
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
2. Facebook Messenger Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price for Facebook Messenger: Free
Even though this is a Facebook Messenger review, we all know that Facebook needs no introduction, and the same follows for the Facebook messaging app, officially titled, Facebook Messenger.
The messaging app is free to download and use, and works seamlessly with your Facebook account. This means you can easily use the Facebook messaging app to send text and video messages to anyone in your friend's list.
Facebook Messenger App also allows you to make voice and video calls to other Facebook Messenger users. To add to the fun, this messaging app lets you send fancy stickers, GIFs and share your location for better context.
Among all the positives, there are two negative features of Facebook Messenger. There are many privacy and data sharing issues related to Facebook, and the messaging app can take up quite of bit of storage space on your phone.
This short Facebook Messenger review would not be complete without mentioning that there is a special Facebook Messenger for Windows Desktop. As the name suggests, the app lets you use Facebook Messenger directly off your desktop! How convenient is that?
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
3. Signal Private Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price of Signal Private Messenger: Free
If you're looking for a messaging app with military-grade encryption, then Signal Private Messenger is the app of choice.
In terms of messaging features, Signal Private Messenger offers the typical array of group and individual chats in the form of text, photos, audioS and video messages. What really sets Signal Messenger apart is the high level of security, which is constantly being improved because the application software is open source.
If that doesn't check all your boxes for a good messaging app, then there is another feature you may love. Signal Messenger can also be used as your default SMS app so all text messages to other Signal app users are fully encrypted.
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
4. Line Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price of Line Messenger: Free
Line Messenger is hugely popular all over the world for its fun user interface. You can use the Line chat app for text, video and photo sharing, like any other messaging app, and can also hold video conferences with dozens of people at a time through your mobile phone.
What makes Line Messenger stand out are the cool stickers and the ability to use the messaging app as a social media platform. Not only do they have a Timeline feature but you can also use Line Messenger to follow public accounts set up by brands and famous people.
Wickr Me App Store App
Unlike the other software mentioned in this messaging app review, the Line app also lets you make international calls to landline and mobile numbers. This feature is not free of cost, though.
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
5. Wickr Private Messenger App Review (Messaging App for Android, iOS)
Price of Wickr App: Free Wifi hotspot booster.
The last app we mention in this messaging apps review is none other than Wickr – another great instant messaging app for the security-conscious user. Wickr relies on end-to-end encrypted messages that are also self-destructive. This applies to everything you share, such as text chats, photos, videos and file attachments.
You have the ability to choose how long it takes for your messages to self-destruct, which is particularly useful. In addition to this, there's a ‘secure shredder' in the app which ensures all data related to your chats is erased.
So if your question was, ‘Is Wickr app safe?' The answer is a resounding YES! You want to ask again, ‘Are Wickr messages recoverable?' The answer is a resounding NO! This is because Wickr wipes your messages off its servers too.
If you prize your privacy in the age of prolific data sharing, you should be using WIckr Me or Wickr Pro as your primary messaging app.
To check out the app, use these links to go straight to the source:
Final thoughts on the 5 best messaging app review for Android and iPhone
There are tons of messaging apps you can use on your phone as an alternative to WhatsApp, even if WhatsApp is still working on your Android and iPhone. If you are interested in highly secure messaging apps, then Signal Private Messenger, Telegram Messenger and Wickr Me, as well as Wickr Pro, are ideal for you.
However, if data sharing and privacy are not major concerns for you, Facebook Messenger and Line Messenger should do the job.
Privacy is made easy for everyone with Wickr Me
With Wickr Me, you can instantly connect with your friends 1:1 or in groups - now with fully encrypted voice calling, voice memos - new additions to the trusted end-to-end secure sharing of files, images, and videos. Take full control over who has access to your content and how long it remains accessible.
Users Trust Wickr Me for Their Most Critical Communications:
On Privacy & Security:
Every message is encrypted with a new key using advanced vetted end-to-end encryption. Wickr never has access to your messages or your contact list.
No phone number or email address is required to register on Wickr Me. Your address book remains private and is not stored on our servers.
Wickr does not store any metadata associated with your communications.
Wickr's code, policies, and security practices have been verified by the most respected security research teams in the industry. Learn more: wickr.com/security.
Communicate in private groups of up to 10 users.
Shredder – overwrites all deleted Wickr content on your device.
Wickr Me App Store
On Ephemerality & Crypto Policies:
Open source code for transparency and audit by the crypto community and open for audit.
Configurable Expiration Timer – Set the expiration time on all your messaging content.
Device-to-device encryption - each message, file, and call (each 512 packets) are encrypted with a new key so it's near impossible to break.
Wickr Messaging protocol enables strong end-to-end encryption and perfect forward and backward secrecy for user content. The source code is available on [Github](https://github.com/WickrInc/wickr-crypto-c) and documented here: https://wickr.com/security.
Wickr Me App Store Download
At Wickr our mission is to provide a secure communication platform trusted by individuals, teams, and corporations, across industries, sizes and scale, to manage their most valuable communications. Wickr Me, our free (ad-free) flagship app, is the most trusted and secure messenger platform, powered by the world's most advanced multi-layered encryption and ephemerality trusted by millions of users worldwide. For Wickr's full secure communications line-up, visit https://wickr.com/all-products.
