
- Download the WhatsApp .apk from the WhatsApp website. In order to do this and to not be redirected straight to the Google Play Store, either use Chrome or Firefox as your browser and then request the Desktop site. From there, click on the Android download and the .apk file will be downloaded to your tablet.

- Ensure that you’re able to install Unknown Sources. To check if you are, go to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources. This will allow .apks that aren’t downloaded directly from Google Play to be installed on your devices. ALWAYS make sure you know what you’re downloading and installing.
- Install TextPlus to your tablet (or a comparable app that is available in your region). This will allow you to get SMS messages on your tablet which will be required to authorize your tablet to use WhatsApp.
- Send out a text message to your own phone (or a friends) from TextPlus to get your devices number. Alternatively. You can head to Settings > Contact Info and find out the number for yourself.

- Install the WhatsApp .apk.
- Follow the instructions. When it asks for a number to authorize the application, enter in your TextPlus number. While it won’t authenticate automatically, you will receive a text message with a code that you can use to authorize the app.
While it won’t automatically detect a SMS to your tablet, you will receive a SMS with a code you can enter to bypass this.
- Once authorized, set-up your WhatsApp account as per normal.
- Voila! WhatsApp on your tablet!

Like I said above, this will install WhatsApp as a BRAND NEW account on your tablet. If you’re looking at just transferring over WhatsApp account from your current device to your tablet, just use your normal telephone number in step number 6. The authorization will follow the same steps, but your account will be transferred over and it won’t be active on your smartphone anymore. If you want to bring over your chat history, check out our previous article on how to do that.
There are different methods of getting around using a WhatsApp on your tablet, but most involve having a rooted tablet and rooted Android phone. I found that this one was simple, worked quite easily on my Nexus 7, and allowed me to get one of my favourite apps.
Have you installed WhatsApp on your Android tablet? If so, tell us in the comments how it went!
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