Whatsapp messages

castle96

Are these like normal phone calls. When I am away from home my phone data is not turned on, but obviously I still get phone calls, but not whatsapps until I get home. So have I answered my own Q...?

TadleyBaggie

WhatsApp uses data, so if data is turned off it won’t work. 

castle96

Ah OK thanks. But when I am at home (router is always on, and yet data is turned off on phone).... whatsapp comes through on phone and PC (though often hours later on phone). So at home, whatsapp is using the router/wifi then. Yes?

RumRat

Whatsapp works with your WiFi at home and doesn't when you are out and about with data turned off...(Totally pointless having data in your case).

400ixl

Whatsapp relies on a data connection, the calls do not come over the voice or sms network.

So Whatsapp data will come over either a Wifi network (like the one you have at home) or the phones cellular data connection (if data is turned on). In your case if you do not have the cellular data switched on then you will not be able to use Whatsapp away from the home unless you connect to a wifi hotspot (e.g. a shop's wifi, or hotel etc).

Depending on who your ISP is they may also have hotspots that you can connect to out and about (e.g. BT and Sky have these services). Your phone provider may also (O2, Virgin for example have them in some locations).

savergrant

It all depends on how much data you are paying for. Long video calls could very easily blow your monthly allowance (if you have one) but a quick phone call isn't likely to make much of a dent.
Do you turn wifi off when you leave home? WhatsApp will work with public WiFi in shops/bars/libraries etc. However leaving wifi on while you are out of range is likely to waste battery power searching for a signal.

maman

Most people I know on a limited monthly data package tend to use WhatsApp for messaging on their home wifi as no phone data used up then. Any WhatsApp messages sent to you when your mobile data is switched off will come through as soon as you either get home, switch on mobile data or (as explained above) are in a hot spot or free WiFi place. 

castle96

thanks all