Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Whatsapp on Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Wifi Only (Appguard method - now defunct)

Update 16 July 2013

This method does not work anymore. Here's the link to another method to install the app. 

I managed to install Whatsapp on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Wi-fi only using instructions from this page. One or two things from the instructions didn't work for me. So, the following was what I did:

1. Install SRT AppGuard. This is a German app, but for those who do not read German, do not worry. The app itself, other than the license agreement, is in English.

2. Download Whatsapp.apk (2.8.7286) file from Whatsapp official site. The instruction from the Nexus tablet forum advised to have the file downloaded from Play Store using Chrome extension APK Downloader. However the extension did not work for me. Therefore I just downloaded and installed the apk from the official site.

3. Run SRT AppGuard after installation of Whatsapp to secure the app.

4. Change Whatsapp permission through AppGuard by unticking "Phone calls - read phone status and identity".

5. Run Whatsapp. Here I failed to get verification by both the SMS and voice call methods. The workaround was to install Bluestacks on a PC, and then install Whatsapp on the PC through Bluestacks. So, I got the verification code through the Whatsapp on PC and keyed the code into the tab.

6. Back to the Whatsapp on the tab. After the error message regarding failed voice validation pops up, tap on the last icon at the bottom of the screen that looks like three vertical dots/lines. (The red arrow in the picture below) That will bring up the window to enter the verification code. After that, you're good to go. :)


NB: It rankles me that in the end I still needed a Windows PC to get Whatsapp working because Bluestacks is not availabe for Linux!

EDIT:

1. Added the version of Whatsapp which I initially installed.

2. Added a picture of where to find the three vertical dots which you have to tap to bring up the window to enter the verification code.

3. Latest update - 03 February 2013 - I received a message from Whatsapp service to inform me that my current version has expired and I needed to install the latest version. Downloading from Google Play did not work of course. What I did:

a. Uninstall current version from the tab.
b. Downloaded the latest apk (2.9.1587) from Whatsapp website.
c. Installed it as normal.
d. This time I didn't need a 6 digit activation code. I only needed to enter my phone number (which has already been registered during the first time installation) and it was working again.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi

Which version of whatsapp are you running? My attempst to do this with 2.8.9448 fail. When I press the CALLME button the app reports that it has been modifed and goes no further. Which version did you run?

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hello Jonathan,

I used version 2.8.7286. I don't have the time today to try out the latest version. So I can't comment about the latest version. I still have the 2.8.7286 version of the apk file with me. If you like, we can arrange for me to send that file to you.

Just checking.... said...

Hi, Came across your blog. I installed the latest whatsapp on samsung tab 2 7.0 Wifi Only. Everything is fine and dandy except that I can't see the three dots/lines for entering the validation code.

Anonymous said...

Hello Just checking,

sorry for the extremely late reply. If you are still there, I've just posted a picture of where you can find the "three vertical dots" to enter the validation code.

Unknown said...

Can anyone help me am trying to download whatsapp on my tab2 7.0 :(

imi said...

Hi I have got everything but when it comes to call me the app reports that it has been modifed and goes no further

Anonymous said...

To imi: did you download the Whatsapp apk from the official website? If the latest version doesn't work for you, you might want to try other methods described in this forum: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2061176&page=20

r@C0o[n] said...

can u plz give me the link of the version of whatsapp u used

r@C0o[n] said...

it says we can't identify your device. Please turn off the phone, take out the battery and restart

Anonymous said...

The method with AppGuard doesn't work anymore. I've updated the post to include a link to instructions using the Helium backup method to install Whatsapp on the tablet.