Do you think WhatsApp cannot be used offline? Now that's changing!

Using WhatsApp without Internet access? It seems impossible, but the app's creators don't think so and have kicked off 2024 by adding a surprising new feature.

Today, mobile instant messaging apps have become a common part of our daily lives. WhatsApp is one of the most popular applications that provides messaging, voice and video calls, file transfer and much more. However, to communicate via WhatsApp you need an Internet connection, and if you are offline, you will not be able to send or receive messages.

Until now, only some of the WhatsApp functions were available to users without access to the Internet. For example, you can write a message or record a voice message and send them even when you are offline - the application will save them in memory and send them automatically when you have access to the network.

In any case, an Internet connection is a prerequisite to deliver your message to another WhatsApp user. This condition not only limits the communication of users in countries with free and confidential access to the Internet, but also is an obstacle to the use of WhatsApp in countries where authorities restrict citizens' access to the Internet or block the application itself. This has been the case until now, but with the arrival of a new feature this year, it becomes possible to use WhatsApp without access to the Internet.

On January 5, 2024, WhatsApp launched proxy server support for all messenger users around the world to make it accessible to people without Internet access. In particular, this feature should help users bypass blocking and Internet censorship in countries where free communication is limited. "To help, today we're launching proxy support for WhatsApp users all over the world. What this means is we're putting the power into people's hands to maintain access to WhatsApp if their connection is blocked or disrupted," WhatsApp announced on its official blog.

Connecting WhatsApp through a proxy server is already available in new versions of the messenger mobile application for smartphones on iOS and Android.

How does WhatsApp's new proxy server feature work? According to the plan of WhatsApp, volunteer enthusiasts and human rights organizations around the world will be creating proxy servers. You are probably wondering how all this will work and how to find out the parameters of such a proxy server? Obviously, it will take some time to create proxy servers, but you can already try to look for such proxy servers in trusted search engines or social networks in your country.

Whatsapp emphasizes that the use of a proxy server in no way reduces the privacy and security of user communications. "Your personal messages and calls will still be protected by end-to-end encryption. This means they stay between you and the person you're communicating with, and won't be visible to anyone in between, not even the proxy servers, WhatsApp, or Meta," WhatsApp said in a statement.

In addition, WhatsApp shared instructions for everyone on how to create proxy servers for distributing the application. This documentation and source code can be found on the GitHub page.

How to connect to a proxy in the WhatsApp app? Before activating a proxy make sure you have the most current version of WhatsApp on your device.

If you have an Android device, then you can activate the proxy function as follows:

Make sure you are using the most current version of WhatsApp.

In the Chats tab, tap More options > Settings.

Tap Storage and Data > Proxy.

Tap Use Proxy > Set Proxy. Here you should enter the proxy address.

Confirm the address tapping Save. A green check mark should appear in case the connection is successful.

Tip: if you still can not connect to WhatsApp and send messages using a proxy, that can mean that the proxy is blocked. In this case long press the blocked proxy address to delete it, and then try again entering a new proxy address.

To connect to a proxy on iPhone: