See Your Grandchildren's Faces — Without Paying a Penny
When was the last time you actually saw your family during a phone call — watched the grandchildren wave, or your daughter show you round her new kitchen?
That's what WhatsApp does, and it's why over forty million people in the UK use it every day. Free messages, free phone calls, free video calls — to family anywhere in the world. Here's how to set it up this afternoon, step by step.
What Is WhatsApp, Exactly?
WhatsApp is a free app for sending messages and making calls over the internet instead of the phone network.
a normal text message is like a stamped letter — each one costs something and carries only words. WhatsApp is like having your own private postbox that's always free — words, photos, voice messages and video calls all travel through it at no charge, even to Australia.
Because it uses the internet, calls to relatives abroad cost exactly the same as calls next door: nothing. It works on any smartphone, and all your messages are private — only you and the person you're writing to can read them.
What You Need Before You Start
- A smartphone (iPhone or Android — any from the last few years is fine)
- Your own mobile number
- A Wi-Fi connection at home (or mobile data when you're out)
That's the whole list. No email address required, no password to remember, no payment details — WhatsApp never asks for your bank card.
Setting Up Your Account — Step by Step
- Open your phone's app store — the "App Store" on an iPhone, "Google Play" on everything else
- Search for "WhatsApp" and tap Install (or Get). It's free — if anything asks for payment, you're in the wrong place
- Open WhatsApp and tap "Agree and continue"
- Type in your mobile number — WhatsApp texts you a six-digit code to prove it's really you. Often it reads the code by itself; if not, just type it in
- Add your name and, if you like, a photo — this is what family see when you message them
And that's it — you have WhatsApp. The clever part: it reads your phone's contact list, so everyone you know who already uses WhatsApp appears automatically. No searching, no friend requests.
Your First Message and Your First Video Call
To send a message: tap the Chats tab, tap the new-chat button, choose a person, type your message and press the little arrow. Done — the two grey ticks turn blue when they've read it.
To make a video call: open your chat with that person and tap the video camera symbol at the top of the screen. Their phone rings just like a normal call — but when they answer, you see each other.
ask a family member to send you the first message. Then their chat is sitting right there at the top of your screen, and replying is as easy as tapping it and typing. Most people learn WhatsApp in one afternoon this way.
Staying Safe: The One Scam to Know About
WhatsApp itself is safe — but scammers use it, just as they use the post and the phone. The one to remember is the "Hi Mum" scam: a message from an unknown number claiming to be your child who has "lost their phone" and urgently needs money.
- Never send money based on a WhatsApp message alone — ring your child's real number first
- Never share the six-digit code WhatsApp texts you — no genuine person will ever ask for it
- Never tap links in messages from numbers you don't recognise
One phone call to the real number unmasks this scam every single time.
What This Means for Your Life
Sunday video calls with the grandchildren. A family group chat where the photos arrive minutes after they're taken. Free calls to your sister in Spain that last as long as you like.
That's what's waiting on the other side of a fifteen-minute setup. And if you get stuck at any step, our Ask IT Man service is free and happy to help.
In a Nutshell
- WhatsApp gives you free messages, calls and video calls anywhere in the world
- Setup takes fifteen minutes — just your phone number, no email or payment
- Never send money or share your six-digit code based on a message alone
