WhatsApp for BlackBerry 10 coming next week

By James Richardson on 8 Mar 2013 07:07 am

Well, it looks like the wait is nearly over. Many of us BlackBerry 10 users, including myself, have been gagging to get the cross platform instant messaging application WhatsApp on our new device and that time is very nearly here. Yesterday Alex Kinsella from the BlackBerry developer team tweeted the following:

"Prediction for next week - You'll be downloading WhatsApp on your BlackBerry Z10"

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. Sure, there are other ways to communicate with our non BlackBerry friends but WhatsApp just works for me. I've been relying on Facebook due to the great BlackBerry Hub integration but WhatsApp will make me oh so happy once again.

Where it may also be beneficial for Blackberry as a company is that it could make iPhone and Android users think about jumping over to BlackBerry? If they have the apps they need why would they not consider it. After all, the BlackBerry 10 experience kicks butt!

Topics: Alex Kinsella BlackBerry Apps

James Richardson 569 (articles) 91 (forum posts)

127 comments

QuIcKsIlV3r Mar 8, 2013 at 7:11 am

Sweet, i don't use it, but I know many do, so this is great!

07thking Mar 8, 2013 at 9:04 am

I won't install on my Z10, I rarely use it. I have it side loaded on my PlayBook thats enough for me.

Kobe Barksdale Mar 8, 2013 at 9:36 am

Same here, its on my playbook too

Dave79 Mar 8, 2013 at 12:42 pm

How does it work on the PlayBook not having a phone number?

con4n007 Mar 10, 2013 at 7:52 pm

Use your normal mobile number on pb and it will work

jrohland Mar 8, 2013 at 7:11 am

Nothing like competition (OpenWhatsApp project) to get them off the A$$.

HorizonXP Mar 8, 2013 at 8:05 am

If you honestly believe that, you're sorely mistaken. WhatsApp for BB10 has been in the works for quite some time.

MoolahMitch Mar 8, 2013 at 8:35 am

monadi Mar 13, 2013 at 11:22 am

I just installed Openwhatsapp and it does work quite well. Though, its not quite whatsapp when it comes to some feature such as:
- no search capability (just like the crapy google talk app)
- no emoticons
- clicking on someone's profile pic opens another "pictures Previewer" app rather than opening it in the actual app

This is what I've noticed in 5 minute of using it last night

owadkelly Mar 8, 2013 at 7:11 am

Sweet!!

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Croyde8 Mar 8, 2013 at 7:12 am

Nice!

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owadkelly Mar 8, 2013 at 7:14 am

I just side loaded the android port... not really liking it. So native is much welcomed

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ghazisons Mar 8, 2013 at 7:20 am

Yes dear I am using the same I didn't like but now we will get the real update...

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bhrgvr Mar 8, 2013 at 7:17 am

This is just great news.

ghazisons Mar 8, 2013 at 7:19 am

Finally wait is over Thank You CB...

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Spinnaz370 Mar 8, 2013 at 7:24 am

Nice, can't wait!

Z10 & PlayBook.

MaxFresh Mar 8, 2013 at 7:25 am

As long as it appears as a hub menu item

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z1nsane Mar 8, 2013 at 9:20 am

Alzaeem_502 Mar 8, 2013 at 7:25 am

Very nice. I agree, nothing like competition to get the ball rolling... I am extremely happy for the success of BB 10. Keep up the momentum BlackBerry.

slade632 Mar 8, 2013 at 7:29 am

Yay... i don't use it but good for BlackBerry to get this to stop people from talking sh...

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jfunds Mar 8, 2013 at 7:29 am

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

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avokodo Mar 8, 2013 at 7:30 am

Yay can't wait been longing for whatsapp

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daveshiz Mar 8, 2013 at 7:31 am

soz i,m gonna throw a negative in here ,on all previous bb whatsapp has had issues so much so there are threads and pages about ,have these been sorted is everything hunky dory or is it same old but itll please the masses ??? so hope i,m wrong by the way

renejupp Mar 8, 2013 at 7:33 am

finally!! Loving my BB10, but seriously missing Whatsapp!

st3vK Mar 8, 2013 at 7:37 am

Yesss

derekgruchy Mar 8, 2013 at 7:38 am

And it is going to be free forever for BlackBerry users, isn't it? I thought i had read that somewhere that the annual user fee would be permanently waived for us.

Definitely makes me want to try it for the first time. I've always preferred Touch cause it was free and did more. Can't wait to see this in action.

Derek from my Z10!

SwissCuban Mar 8, 2013 at 7:42 am

Sweet
:-)

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bharyour Mar 8, 2013 at 7:42 am

Yeah, I was missing this on the BB10. It was like my second most used app on the 9900 after BBM. Hopefully it doesn't hog system resources like on the previous versions.. It used to slow to a drag after a few hours of use - but maybe that was just my phone

virgo_mi Mar 8, 2013 at 7:43 am

Nice!!!

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backberry z10 Mar 8, 2013 at 7:53 am

Good to hear

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camilo29 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:02 am

Finally here.. good improvement for z10

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arvind1983 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:04 am

Don't use it much but will start using it with my new black background Z10.

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BlackQtCoder Mar 8, 2013 at 8:10 am

I don't use WhatsApp, but if this is good for Blackberry, will be good for me !

Raid Ismail Mar 8, 2013 at 8:12 am

Lovely. Been waiting for this for quite some time. Can't wait till its available.

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Playbook007 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:21 am

Everyone should just get a z10, use the best which is by far BBM, and we wouldn't have to even have to wait for Whatsapp or Skype. Everyone at work is going z10 and they love it. All my friends are almost back to BlackBerry. I won't be needing Whatsapp or Skype.

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Big V 1978 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:21 am

I am glad it is coming, NOT because I am such a big fan of WhatsApp, but to tell the non believers that we also have the app !!!!

Crisdean Mar 8, 2013 at 8:24 am

Good to know there will be an app to keep in touch with people that don't use BBM and have Whatsapp.

mon450r Mar 8, 2013 at 8:39 am

hi i cant wait any longer im in the Caribbean i want to buy the white unlock version around $800 someone told me wait a lil longer its going to get cheaper went it release in the USA is this true?? really want to buy it now

SirJes Mar 8, 2013 at 9:50 am

Yes,you should wait,with US release the price is sure to drop

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mon450r Mar 8, 2013 at 10:45 am

HEY again my bb9850 crashed but i have my info backed up can i transfer them to the z10 still??

jstef16 Mar 8, 2013 at 10:26 am

According to the registration page for the Alicia Keys sweepstakes, the Z10 is valued at $599 if that's any indication of where price is going to go.

AbsoluteT23 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:43 am

Agreed and well said.

mychriz8 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:44 am

Does anyone know how deep it will be integrated into the hub?

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dragonx6 Mar 8, 2013 at 9:20 am

I don't see the point of it if it wasn't. It wouldn't be a very good app if it wasn't.

mychriz8 Mar 8, 2013 at 9:42 am

That´s true but I love the fact that I get all my messeges in the Hub even if the App is closed like it is on bbm, fb and so on.

clieman Mar 8, 2013 at 8:46 am

Hopefully we'll see a day where more people on BBM than WhatsApp.

dejisanusi Mar 8, 2013 at 8:47 am

Excellent news! Now all I need is Skype and a Facebook update.

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felixlives Mar 8, 2013 at 8:49 am

Nice, not that I am missing it per se, but certainly handy to have BBM is way way better, but not everyone has BlackBerry, so it does the job nicely.... will be downloading this for sure

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KidAndroid Mar 8, 2013 at 8:53 am

Should have my Z10 real soon & this makes it even more attractive :-)

AZN Mar 8, 2013 at 8:57 am

Finally!!! I've been waiting since day 1 for this. Just curious... how will Whatsapp be integrated into BB Hub, if at all?

IqWaN Mar 8, 2013 at 9:10 am

Awesome

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SamiAQ Mar 8, 2013 at 9:11 am

Great!

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RazMo Mar 8, 2013 at 9:31 am

Can't wait for it. Can now finally get rid of my white bold 9900. Lol super happy.

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Joshuacms Mar 8, 2013 at 9:32 am

Finally!!!!!!! Yay

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Kobe Barksdale Mar 8, 2013 at 9:35 am

Personally I'm not as excited as I prefer BBM over any cross platform messenger. But I WhatsApp because it works over Wifi when I don't have data connection. So I guess its an alternative to have

jhalupa Mar 8, 2013 at 9:38 am

Awesome news!

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reylocario Mar 8, 2013 at 9:47 am

This is good news

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mikelinton Mar 8, 2013 at 9:54 am

Sweet! The more apps like this that show up the more solid the BB10 platform will get.

EsJayDee Mar 8, 2013 at 9:54 am

Good.

Rasec Blanca Mar 8, 2013 at 10:01 am

I totally agree!! I just got my Z10 and I was a iPhone and S3 user. I was going back and forth swapping my son card into both of them. But now I only use my Z10. This is almost the best phone and will be the BEST once more apps are developed for it. Looking forward to whatsapp once again.

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7RKAT Mar 8, 2013 at 10:02 am

Great news

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mrbigtime1 Mar 8, 2013 at 10:03 am

Yesterday i was able to sideload whatsapp android file on my z10. it works but well, u know. i was waiting for a native z10 and this is an awesome news.

Bhavin Khorasia Mar 8, 2013 at 10:07 am

Waiting for it

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rajdeep.malhi Mar 8, 2013 at 10:13 am

At least he didn't tease us and went straight to the point of which app we can expect. Now, I'm just wanting on Skype Shazam, Realtor.ca, and TD Canada Trust. Then my BlackBerry will be complete. Anything beyond that is a bonus for me.

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jaycnchacko Mar 8, 2013 at 10:17 am

I've been using the side loaded app and cannot wait for the native ! Yeah!!

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Mike1117 Mar 8, 2013 at 10:18 am

Great news! I use it to talk to my iSheep friends. Now if Verizon would just sell me the phone that would be awesome news.

NOKJAA Mar 8, 2013 at 10:23 am

#LMOAO I'm in a similar predicament....They might be #iSheep but after all they are our friends... LOLOLOLOL!!!

NOKJAA Mar 8, 2013 at 10:21 am

Excellent News! Should be picking up my Z10 (hopefully) next week: 4G-Sub + 2.5Gb Data + Unlimited Text / Calls. #BlackBerryByChoice

PD KD Mar 8, 2013 at 10:29 am

Great it is all coming now,

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PH1L Mar 8, 2013 at 10:31 am

Whatsapp is a great app. Excited that this is finally making its way over to BB10. Developers need to keep on bringing native apps coming and this Z10 will be a massive hit!

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BoldWorld Mar 8, 2013 at 10:37 am

Great. Best news since the announcement of the Z10

3hb78ftg Mar 8, 2013 at 10:56 am

Yessssss.....

hezryaris Mar 8, 2013 at 11:01 am

Getting my Z10 tomorrow! cant wait!

pepe241185 Mar 8, 2013 at 11:01 am

the wait is almost over indeed ....

Alali Mar 8, 2013 at 11:09 am

Nice

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Wigley458 Mar 8, 2013 at 11:15 am

Awesome news. Been using the Android port since launch of phone in canada and it works ok. But can't wait for native as it will have my contacts and hub use finally. Which aren't on port version. Btw. I have a white z10 unlocked version for sale if anyone wants it. Brand new.

Posted from my Z10

ICE_CREAM_SANDWICH Mar 8, 2013 at 11:27 am

Z10 getting Better everyday. More troops will coming. Kindle and What'sApp join us before Invasion to USA ..

silchauhan Mar 8, 2013 at 11:34 am

Can't wait...been waiting for a month allready... all we need is skype now

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NOKJAA Mar 8, 2013 at 1:01 pm

Huh?!?! Isn't that already available?!? I'm almost certain....

angrybear123 Mar 8, 2013 at 11:42 am

Nice! This and Skype are all I need at this point. More so this. This is good news!!!

NOKJAA Mar 8, 2013 at 1:00 pm

#WORD! I hear that. I'm sooo glad that #SKYPE is available :-) Hello world :-)

hossam85 Mar 8, 2013 at 11:44 am

That is nice, but it will be free or paid? Please reply, thanks

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swishhh Mar 8, 2013 at 11:48 am

Great news! Better for our US friends as a lot of things will be in place/updated.

mavricxx Mar 8, 2013 at 1:36 pm

No we just need Skype, Yahoo Messenger and OoVoO to comlete the comm App gap. :)

raxamillion Mar 8, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Excellent news, this and a few other key apps are what my Z10 are missing. Great hear we have a time frame, although I bet it ends up being Friday last thing LOOL

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gusanbage Mar 8, 2013 at 2:18 pm

Finally ! and expecting an impressive update for facebook app also

labyrinth9 Mar 8, 2013 at 2:18 pm

On an unrelated note. Where did you get those awesome Spark paperweights? You should sell them in the CB store!

vincenzio Mar 8, 2013 at 2:46 pm

Can we get it Monday?

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ehabaha Mar 8, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Been using the Android port since the launch in london. It does work, but very frustrating that one can't access contact list.

Let's hope, that it doesn't hog the resources and the Skype and viber get their act together an launch their apps soon as well.

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viper1931 Mar 8, 2013 at 4:53 pm

Has anyone noticed the "Notification" icon not in the hub since the update? My side loaded whatsapp doesn't show icon for new msgs now, can't wait till the native.

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MegaMoneyMan Mar 8, 2013 at 5:25 pm

Would be nice to see what it looks like on the BlackBerry 10 platform.

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Konfucius18 Mar 8, 2013 at 8:38 pm

Thanks to many of my friends using iPhone's and S3s, I need Whatsapp for group chatting even though it's inferior to BBM in every way.

At least I can delete the sideloaded version soon.

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asif shaikh1 Mar 8, 2013 at 9:34 pm

Can't wait for what's app and games that can be played cross platforms with friends!!

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web99 Mar 8, 2013 at 9:59 pm

That's great news. All I need now is skype, instagram and kindle apps on my Z10. Hopefully they will be made available in the near future.

ryan simpson Mar 8, 2013 at 10:19 pm

Nice

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hmmalex Mar 8, 2013 at 10:33 pm

I used whatsapp all the time on my old BlackBerry.

Hopefully it comes with hub integration or it will just be easier to continue using text messages!

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pilot738 Mar 8, 2013 at 10:45 pm

Great news but any news about viber?! It's more important for me :(

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gecky Mar 9, 2013 at 12:35 am

Great n important news for BlackBerry as well as for me personally.

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NoAhB0Dy Mar 9, 2013 at 1:38 am

Don't use whatsapp and no plans to. Don't know anyone that does. What I am waiting for is Touch and Kik. Touch is currently ported from Android and works ok for the most part and kik is a decent sideload but would love to see native versions.

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GranReviewsmo Mar 9, 2013 at 2:11 am

Now all I need is Endomondo and Wi-fi Manager

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raam4u Mar 9, 2013 at 2:30 am

ever since i switched from iphone to bbz10, i was looking for whatsapp, viber and skype. Now it look like one is about to arrive and the other two? any ways its really a good news for me. Almost all of my friends are in whatsapp........ thanks for the post

airwolf04 Mar 9, 2013 at 2:32 am

Nice finally and what about viber?

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Marisescu Dan Mar 9, 2013 at 4:15 am

Thanks God !!!!!

Ernie H Mar 9, 2013 at 10:00 am

I have been using vibe on my BB9900 so what's app is a well worth option. I am enjoying my z10. One of the first three in Hungary :)

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Kira Oldham Mar 9, 2013 at 12:36 pm

Omg I wish it would hurry up xx

Rootbrian Mar 9, 2013 at 10:07 pm

About time whatsapp made a damn app for blackberry 10. Now people can't say "OH, YOU DON'T HAVE THAT APP" anymore.

funnnng Mar 9, 2013 at 10:24 pm

I really want those notification buttons （whatever you call them） in the picture. Anyone knows where I could get them ？I've been searching it for weeks now...

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