23 August 2019

WhatsApp was first launched on KaiOS phones in India in September 2018

KaiOS Technologies has made WhatsApp available for download in the KaiStore making available to hundreds of millions of Africans using both 512MB and 256MB RAM devices. 

The Facebook-owned messaging service was first launched on the KaiOS-powered JioPhone in India in September 2018 and now with the broad release, the app will reach millions of new users across Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. 

KaiOS-powered smart feature phones are a new category of mobile devices that combine the affordability of a feature phone with the essential features of a smartphone. 

“KaiOS has been a critical partner in helping us bring private messaging to smart feature phones around the world,” said Matt Idema, chief operating officer of WhatsApp.

“Providing WhatsApp on KaiOS helps bridge the digital gap to connect friends and family in a simple, reliable and secure way.” By Q3, most smart feature phones powered by KaiOS will have WhatsApp pre-installed upon shipment.