How to install WhatsApp Plus 18.80 step by step
Installing WhatsApp Plus is not technically difficult, but there are three or four details that, if skipped, will make Android reject the file or cost you your conversations. This guide covers the whole process on version 18.80, from the prerequisite permissions to number verification.
Budget around ten minutes. Before you start, make sure you have at least 100 MB free and a stable connection to receive the verification SMS.
Step by step
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1
Back up your current chats
Open the WhatsApp you use now, go to Settings, Chats, Backup and press Save. Include media if you want photos and videos preserved. Only skip this if you plan to use a brand-new number.
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2
Allow installing unknown apps
Go to Android Settings, Security (or Apps, Special access, depending on the manufacturer) and enable "Install unknown apps" for your browser or file manager. On Android 8 and above the permission is granted per app, so Android will also ask when you open the APK.
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3
Download the APK
Press the download button on the main page. The file is 98 MB; if what arrives is a very different size, do not install it. Let the download finish completely.
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4
Disable Play Protect temporarily
Open Google Play, tap your profile picture, Play Protect, then the settings gear, and turn off "Scan apps with Play Protect". Google flags every mod by default, and this prevents it blocking the install. You can switch it back on afterwards.
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5
Open the APK and install
Go to your file manager, open the Downloads folder and tap the file. Press Install and wait a few seconds. If a Play Protect warning appears, choose "Install anyway".
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6
Verify your phone number
Open the app, accept the terms and enter your number with the country code. A six-digit code arrives by SMS. If nothing comes within five minutes, request verification by call.
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7
Restore your conversations
If you backed up with the same number, the app detects it and offers to restore. Accept and wait; with a lot of media this can take several minutes.
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8
Set up your privacy
Before anything else, go to Settings, Privacy and security and enable what you want: hide status view, freeze last seen and anti-delete. Turn on two-step verification too.
Tips and warnings
- Do not uninstall official WhatsApp until you have confirmed the mod works and restored your data.
- To run both apps at once you need a different phone number for each.
- Keep the downloaded APK: if anything fails you can reinstall without hunting for it again.
- Never share the six-digit code, not even with someone claiming to be support.
Questions about this guide
It says "app not installed", what now?
Almost always Play Protect or a half-removed earlier build of the same mod. Disable Play Protect, remove any leftovers and try again.
Will I lose my chats?
No, provided you backed up with the same number and accept the restore during initial setup.