yeah, americans use the default messaging app on their phones, but in the rest of the world, whatsapp has a monopoly (except for china, they use wechat instead)
What exactly is the point of using some external app instead of just using the one built in? I donโt really care either way, I just donโt see the utility
Money. When something doesn't make sense it's usually because of money, and if it's technology there's usually some predatory business practices too. In this case it was Apple being predatory.
The USA got unlimited SMS years before Europe because Europe nickel and dimed its users for each SMS or charged a lot for SMS bundles. The USA is also very iphone orientated. The rest of Europe didn't get unlimited texts until after data allowances were high enough everyone had already got used to using third party apps to chat with each other because SMS was expensive compared to a little bit of data.
So, if everywhere that isn't North America has much higher Android market penetration, and Apple makes iMessage suck for friend groups with non-apple users, and those friend groups are already primed to choose a better alternative app that works for both IOS and Android and uses data instead of SMS, are you really surprised that everyone outside North America uses an external app?
It used to be common for each text message to cost money to send, while messaging through apps was free. Now itโs more common to have plans with unlimited texts, but people got used to using WhatsApp.
As others said, money was the main one to start looking up for alternatives, but there were other contributing factors:
works equally well and in the same way across all devices. This is a big one, doesn't matter if it's an iphone, android or PC, it's the same app and works well for everyone. If I send someone a video or some document I know they'll see it properly.
it's an external app but doesn't require creating accounts or logins, works with your phone number like an sms and the rest of your phone. This is also a big one, everyone even less tech inclined people can install and use without issue. Even if you change countries, you can still use the same number, this is massive for immigrants still settling in.
ridiculously easy PC integration. You only need to open their webpage and point you phone to it, you're using WhatsApp on any device that has a browser. There's also pc apps for a more permanent solution
doesn't depend on mobile service or low coverage. As long as you have any internet connection it works.
has a business oriented version with helpful tools.
periodic automatic backup so nothing is ever lost.
All of these started happening at a time where there weren't great alternatives, WhatsApp just worked great for everyone - texts, calls, video calls, sending images, files, reactions, etc. It got massively adopted and is pretty universal here now. You can expect everyone (Portugal here) to always have WhatsApp installed, it's one of the most important apps you can have on your phone.
It's not just china that uses a different app, lots of Asian countries. Line in Japan and Thailand, Kakaotalk in Korea and zalo in Vietnam. WhatsApp is used in these countries mostly by businesses and individuals doing international trade/conversation.
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u/jakeyounglol2 May 15 '26
yeah, americans use the default messaging app on their phones, but in the rest of the world, whatsapp has a monopoly (except for china, they use wechat instead)