Downloading Previous Versions of WhatsApp to Your Android

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Restore your favorite WhatsApp features from old versions of the app

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: January 7, 2026 Fact Checked

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Allowing Apps from Unknown Sources

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Downloading an Older Version

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Installing the APK File

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If you want to install an older version of WhatsApp, you can easily do so using an APK file. Since older versions are not available in the Google Play Store, you’ll need to download the file from a third-party source. You’ll also need to allow your phone to install apps from unknown sources in the Settings menu. This wikiHow article teaches you how to download and install an older version of WhatsApp on an Android phone.

Download an Older Version of WhatsApp

Before you can install an older version of WhatsApp, allow app installs from unknown sources in your settings, back up WhatsApp, and then uninstall the app. Go to APKMirror, search for WhatsApp, and tap the version you want. Download the APK file, then tap it in your Downloads to install it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Allowing Apps from Unknown Sources

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1
Open your Android’s Settings
. To do so, swipe down from the upper-right corner to open the Quick Access menu, then tap the gear at the top-right corner.^{[1]
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- Installing apps from sources other than the Play Store could put your other apps and data at risk. Don’t try to install an older version of an app unless you’ve backed up all your data.
It’s in the Settings menu. On some devices, it may say Apps & Notifications.

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3
Tap the icon with three dots ⋮. It’s in the upper-right corner of the screen. This displays the More menu.
- On some devices, you may need to skip this step and tap Special App Access on the App settings page.
It’s near the bottom of the page.
5
Tap Install unknown apps. It’s at the bottom of the page. A list of apps will appear.
- If you see the option to allow "Unknown sources," switch this button to the On position and proceed to Part 2.
This is usually Chrome or Samsung’s Internet browser.
Once this switch is enabled, you can use the selected browser to download and install apps that aren’t available from the Play Store.^{[2]
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8
Disable autoblock, if needed. Some devices (specifically Samsung Galaxy devices) will automatically block the installation of apps from unofficial sources. Use the following steps to disable autoblock:
- Swipe down from the upper-right corner.
- Tap the Gear/Settings icon in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Security and privacy.
- Tap the toggle switch to disable “Auto blocker.”

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Downloading an Older Version of WhatsApp

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If you don't want to lose your WhatsApp messages, see How to Back Up WhatsApp to learn how to back up your messages.
To do so, tap and hold the app icon in the Apps menu, then tap Uninstall. The older version of the app will not install if you're already using a newer version.
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Go to www.apkmirror.com and search for WhatsApp. Use the web browser you selected in in the previous method to do so.
- APK Mirror verifies the authenticity of all apps for your protection.^{[3]
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4
Tap the WhatsApp version you want to download. Each version of WhatsApp (including beta versions) is listed with its version number. Tap the version you want to download.
- If you don’t see the version you want on the first page, scroll down and tap Next at the bottom to see more versions. There are a lot of versions of WhatsApp, and you may need to go back quite a way.
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Scroll down and tap SCROLL TO AVAILABLE DOWNLOADS or SEE AVAILABLE APKS. It’s the green button near the middle of the page. A list of download options will appear.
- If you don't see this option, skip to the next step.
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Tap the version you want to download. If you see more than one variant of the version you selected, tap the one for your version of Android. If there's only one version, tap it to continue.
- If you’re not sure what the difference is between versions, tap handy FAQ under the ″Download″ header to find out which one you need for your Android.
7
Scroll down and tap DOWNLOAD APK. It’s a green button toward the middle of the page. This downloads the file to your Android.
- In some cases, this may say Download APK Bundle.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Installing the APK File

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If you're using Google Chrome, tap the icon with three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner. If you are using Samsung Internet, tap the icon with three lines (☰) in the lower-right corner.
A confirmation message will appear.
It’ll appear in a pop-up menu at the bottom of the screen. This will install the app.
Once the app is finished installing, tap the app icon in the Apps menu to open it, and you'll be guided through the process of logging in and restoring WhatsApp from a backup.