WhatsApp Plus has been around since 2012, longer than almost any other mod, and it is still the name most people search when they want more from WhatsApp. This handbook gives you the WhatsApp Plus APK download for v18.80 and then goes further: what each setting does, how to fix the errors people hit most often, and how Plus compares with GB, FM, Yo and the rest. Every guide on AllWPlus is practical, step by step and clear about the risks.
WhatsApp Plus at a glance
| App name | WhatsApp Plus (unofficial mod) |
|---|---|
| Version | v18.80 |
| File size | 98 MB |
| Android requirement | Android 5.0 or newer |
| Last updated | Oct 2026 |
| Developer | AlexMods and other independent teams |
| Category | Communication |
| Price | Free |
A short history of WhatsApp Plus
The first WhatsApp Plus was created by a Spanish developer known as Rafalete. Its blue theme and extra settings made it a hit almost overnight. WhatsApp responded with legal pressure and temporary bans, and the original project shut down in 2015. The name lived on, picked up by other developers, and today several teams publish builds under it. We tell the full story in WhatsApp Plus history and evolution.
This history explains two things you will notice. First, there is no single official WhatsApp Plus website. Second, version numbers differ between sites. We follow one actively maintained line and list its latest release.
Who WhatsApp Plus is for
WhatsApp Plus suits people who spend hours a day in chats and want those hours to feel personal and private: students in large class groups, small shop owners who want quieter browsing, and anyone who simply likes to customise their phone. It is less suitable for people who rely on WhatsApp for banking codes, work accounts or family contact they cannot afford to lose.
Not to be confused with Meta's WhatsApp Plus
In 2026 Meta started offering a paid subscription inside the official app, also called WhatsApp Plus. It adds cosmetic perks such as extra themes and more pinned chats. It does not include ghost mode, anti delete or any of the privacy features that made the mod famous. If you see "WhatsApp Plus" in your official WhatsApp settings, that is Meta's product. This site is about the free mod.
What WhatsApp Plus lets you do
Ghost mode
Read chats and view statuses while looking offline. Learn ghost mode.
Anti delete
Keep messages that others delete for everyone. How it works.
Blue tick control
Hide read receipts for the chats you choose. Blue tick privacy.
Themes
Restyle every screen with community themes. Browse themes.
App locks
Lock the whole app or single chats. App lock guide.
Custom icons
Swap the launcher icon for another design. Change the icon.
Message scheduler
Write now and send at the exact time you pick.
Bigger media
Share long videos and full quality photos without heavy compression.
Beyond the headline features you get larger media limits, a message scheduler, auto reply, per chat wallpapers, hidden chats and a home screen you can rearrange. Some lesser known options are covered in top 10 hidden WhatsApp Plus features. For the complete list, see WhatsApp Plus features.
WhatsApp Plus Screens
Chat list in the classic Plus blue
The Plus settings menu
Ghost mode switches
Drawings made by AllWPlus to show the layout. They are not screenshots, and real menus vary by build.
Privacy, one setting at a time
Privacy is the reason most people install WhatsApp Plus, and it is also where people make mistakes. Hiding everything at once can make friends think you are ignoring them. We suggest this order:
- Hide your online status so people cannot watch when you are active.
- Disable typing and recording status in busy groups.
- Hide or freeze last seen if you need quiet time.
- Use blue tick privacy for selected chats only.
- Hide private chats behind a lock.
Every privacy guide is collected in the privacy features section.
Make it yours
Customisation is the other half of the WhatsApp Plus appeal. You can customise the home screen, set a wallpaper for every chat, apply themes and add a sticker pack. Newer builds even include AI image creation. Browse the whole customization section for ideas.
Installing WhatsApp Plus
- Back up official WhatsAppSettings, Chats, Chat backup, Back up. The local copy stays on the phone.
- Download and scanGet the APK from the download page and scan it before opening.
- Remove official WhatsAppThe standard Plus build uses the same package, so uninstall the official app first.
- Allow unknown appsLet your browser install apps when Android asks.
- Install and verifyInstall WhatsApp Plus, enter your number and the SMS code.
- Restore your chatsTap Restore when the local backup is found, then explore Plus settings.
New to mods? The WhatsApp Plus beginner's guide goes through each screen.
Updating WhatsApp Plus
Install each new release over the current one. Never uninstall to update. The full routine is in how to update WhatsApp Plus.
- Back up locallySettings, Chats, Back up.
- Download the new APKUse the same source as before so the signature matches.
- Install over the topAndroid keeps your chats when the package and signature match.
- Check the buildPlus settings, About, should show v18.80.
What's New in WhatsApp Plus v18.80
Summary of the v18.80 release notes. WhatsApp Plus is published by more than one team, so lists differ slightly from site to site.
- Newer WhatsApp base for compatibility with current features.
- Updated anti ban handling and fixes for verification loops.
- Ghost mode tidied into a single switch with per item options.
- Theme store fixes for faster loading.
- General crash fixes on Android 14 and 15.
WhatsApp Plus Version History
Older releases and when to use them are on the WhatsApp Plus old versions page.
| Version | Released | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| v18.80 | Oct 2026 | 98 MB | Current build |
| v18.70 | Aug 2026 | 96 MB | Fallback if v18.80 crashes |
| v18.30 | Mar 2026 | 95 MB | Older phones |
| v17.85 | 2025 | 92 MB | Expired |
| v17.60 | 2024 | 90 MB | Archive only |
When things go wrong
Most problems have quick fixes:
- The installer refuses: see WhatsApp Plus not installing.
- The app freezes or closes: try crashing or freezing fixes.
- Photos and videos do not load: read media not downloading.
- WhatsApp Web will not link: see QR code not linking.
All fixes are grouped in troubleshooting.
Is WhatsApp Plus safe?
WhatsApp's Help Center says unofficial apps can lead to a temporary or permanent ban and can stop your account from linking devices. Meta's official WhatsApp Plus subscription only works in the official app, and WhatsApp warns that linking an account to an unofficial version may get it banned.
The APK itself is the second risk. A modified file has not passed through Google Play's checks, so download from one consistent source, compare the size and scan it. Cancel any install that asks for accessibility or device admin access.
Use a number you can spare, keep a weekly local backup, and never share your six digit verification code with anyone, including download sites.
AllWPlus is an independent handbook with no link to WhatsApp LLC or Meta. We host no APK files, and download buttons are sponsored links. Official WhatsApp from Google Play is the only risk free choice.
The honest answer is that it depends on two things: where the APK came from, and how you use your account. A clean file from a consistent source is unlikely to harm your phone. Even so, WhatsApp's terms ban unofficial clients, so your account carries risk no matter how clean the file is. We explain the warning signs, ban lengths and appeals in WhatsApp Plus ban.
WhatsApp Plus compared
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Plus vs official WhatsApp? | More control, less safety. Full comparison |
| Plus vs GB WhatsApp? | Plus for looks, GB for automation. Full comparison |
| Plus vs other mods? | See Plus vs other mods |
| Plus vs Telegram or Signal? | See Plus vs other apps |
WhatsApp Plus compared with the official app, Meta's paid WhatsApp Plus subscription and two popular mods.
| Feature | Official WhatsApp | Meta WhatsApp Plus (paid) | WhatsApp Plus APK | GB WhatsApp | FM WhatsApp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost mode | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Anti delete | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra themes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Drive backup | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Runs beside official app | Not needed | Not needed | No, replaces it | Yes | Yes |
| Still receiving updates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cost | Free | Monthly fee | Free | Free | Free |
| Ban risk | None | None | Real | Real | Real |
Backups without Google Drive
Because WhatsApp Plus is not signed by WhatsApp, it cannot reach Google Drive backups. Instead it writes an encrypted local backup every night to the WhatsApp folder in internal storage, under Android, media. That file is your safety net. Copy the whole folder to a computer or a cloud folder you control at least once a week, and always before updating, changing phones or resetting your device. When you move to a new phone, place the folder in the same path before opening WhatsApp Plus, and the restore prompt will appear after verification.
A day with WhatsApp Plus
What does the mod feel like in daily use? Morning: you check statuses with view status hidden, so nobody knows you were up early. At work: ghost mode keeps you looking offline while you skim group chats and reply only to what matters. Lunch: a friend deletes a message they regret, and anti delete keeps it, which you wisely do not mention. Evening: you schedule a birthday message for midnight and switch to a dark OLED theme to save battery. Night: DND mode cuts WhatsApp Plus off the internet so you can sleep without buzzing. None of this is possible in the official app, and that is exactly why the mod remains popular.
Other devices
WhatsApp Plus is Android only. You can still use it from a computer through WhatsApp Plus Web or an emulator, explained in WhatsApp Plus for PC. iPhone owners should read WhatsApp Plus on iPhone before trusting any offer.
Every other mod, in one place
If WhatsApp Plus is not quite right, the all WhatsApp mods hub covers GB WhatsApp, FM WhatsApp, YoWhatsApp, Aero, Fouad, OG, Red, Blue, Pink, Transparent and more, each with its own page.
WhatsApp Plus Pros and Cons
Pros
- The deepest customisation of any WhatsApp build
- Strong privacy tools such as ghost mode and anti delete
- Long history and plenty of guides
- Free, with no root needed
- Regular new builds
Cons
- Standard build replaces official WhatsApp
- Breaks WhatsApp's terms, so bans are possible
- No Google Drive backup
- Easy to confuse with Meta's paid WhatsApp Plus
- Fake copies circulate widely
The bottom line
WhatsApp Plus v18.80 is a mature mod with the deepest customisation of any WhatsApp build and a strong set of privacy tools. Use it on a number you can spare, keep backups, update promptly, and you will get the best of it with the least drama.
WhatsApp Plus FAQ
Is WhatsApp Plus the same as Meta's paid WhatsApp Plus?
No. The WhatsApp Plus APK on this site is a free unofficial mod. Meta's WhatsApp Plus is a paid add on inside the official app with cosmetic extras.
What is the latest WhatsApp Plus version?
WhatsApp Plus v18.80 from October 2026, about 98 MB, for Android 5.0 and newer.
Does WhatsApp Plus replace official WhatsApp?
The common build uses the package com.whatsapp and replaces the official app. Clone builds exist if you want both.
Can I get banned for WhatsApp Plus?
Yes. Unofficial clients break WhatsApp's terms. Temporary and permanent bans happen, so use a number you can afford to lose.
Is WhatsApp Plus safe to download?
Only if the file is untouched. Use one consistent source, check the size and scan the APK. The account risk remains even with a clean file.
Who makes WhatsApp Plus today?
The original Plus by Rafalete closed in 2015. Current builds come from independent teams such as AlexMods, which is why version numbers differ between sites.
Can I use Google Drive backup with WhatsApp Plus?
No. WhatsApp Plus writes local backups only, so copy the WhatsApp folder to a computer or cloud folder yourself.
How do I keep my chats when switching to WhatsApp Plus?
Make a local backup in official WhatsApp, uninstall it, install WhatsApp Plus and restore when prompted.
How do I update WhatsApp Plus?
Back up, download the new APK and install it over the current one without uninstalling.
Is WhatsApp Plus available on iPhone?
No. There is no working iOS build. Avoid any site that offers one.
Related Apps and Guides
An independent team that writes practical WhatsApp Plus guides. We follow new builds and WhatsApp's own help pages, and update the handbook when either changes.
Last updated Oct 2026