Installing WhatsApp or any other messaging app turns your Kindle Fire into a great communication tool. But this involves more actions than you might expect, as Fire prevents downloads and installations of third-party software.
The good thing is that there is an option to override this installation block and this is something you can do even if you are not tech savvy. The following article will guide you through the installation and configuration process, step by step.
Before you start
The first thing you need to do is enable “Unknown Sources” to allow downloading and installation. This has been tested on Kindle Fire HD 7, 8, and 10. That said, it should also work on older Fires running the latest software. Anyway, this is how you enable the feature.
Step 1
Select the Menu icon and enter Fire Settings. For newer versions of Fire OS (4.0 or later), tap the Security menu. Those using older software versions should choose the Applications menu.
Step 2
Swipe down the menu window until you reach Unknown Sources and tap the option to access it. Once Unknown Sources are enabled, you will be able to install third-party apps that do not appear in the Amazon Store.
Note: The Unknown Sources installation block appears on most tablets and smartphones, Android and iOS. This allows manufacturers to protect native software from malware.
Install WhatsApp on the Kindle Fire
To start the installation, you need the WhatsApp Apk file. It is best to obtain the file the official website of the application instead of third-party sources.
Step 1
Go to the downloads section of the WhatsApp website and get the latest version of the Android app. Press the “Download now” button and wait a few seconds for the action to complete.
Step 2
A confirmation window may appear and you will need to tap Download again to confirm. That being said, you will be prompted to open the downloaded file. Of course, you choose Open in the corresponding window.
Step 3
As soon as you open the file, you will be taken to the WhatsApp installation window. Select Install and wait for Fire to do its magic. When the installation is complete, you can tap Open and proceed to set up the app.
Important notes
WhatsApp runs on Android 2.3.3 and later, making it compatible with almost all versions of Fire OS. To be precise, Android 2.3 and later versions are used as the base for Fire OS. This means you should be able to install WhatsApp on Amazon Fire HD, Kindle Fire, and Fire HDX without any problems.
Configure WhatsApp
With WhatsApp settings, the important thing is that the application requires phone number verification. Other than that, the process is pretty simple. Here are the necessary steps.
Step 1
Launch WhatsApp, select “Accept and continue,” and then confirm by tapping Continue on the pop-up window.
Step 2
Two more pop-ups appear asking you to grant access to your Kindle Fire. Tap Allow to let WhatsApp use your media, photos, files, and contacts. If you deny access to media, photos, and files, you can return to these settings and allow access after the fact.
Step 3
Now you need to type the phone number and press OK to confirm your choice. An SMS is sent to you with a verification code, type that code in the designated field and select Next. At this point, you have successfully logged in and can use the app.
Add contacts to WhatsApp
Since you have allowed WhatsApp access to your contacts, you can chat with anyone who has WhatsApp on their device. If any of your contacts does not have WhatsApp, you can send an invitation link to that person.
Select the green circle at the bottom right of the WhatsApp Chats window, swipe down the menu and choose “Invite Friends.” Browse your contacts and tap the one you want to send the invitation to.
When a person is not in your contacts, you must choose New Contact at the top of the contact list. Again, you’re looking for a green circle and it has a little person icon inside. Type your contact information in the next window and you’re good to go.
Other messaging apps on Kindle Fire
Apart from WhatsApp, you can install some other apps on the Kindle Fire and the method is the same unless the apps are available on the Amazon Store. One of the most popular options is Tablet Talk, closely followed by Viber.
Some users prefer to use TextNow, Skype or textPlus. Social media messengers like Snapchat and the Facebook version are also available. Additionally, there is an option to limit or block the use of these apps if you fear your child may be abusing them.
Frequent questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about WhatsApp on the Kindle Fire.
Is WhatsApp in the Amazon App Store for Kindle tablets?
Unfortunately not. That is why we must take other measures to install the messaging application. You can use the link to the APK above or use the Silk browser on your Fire tablet to download the app directly from WhatsApp. Please note that you may not be able to download the latest version of the app from WhatsApp depending on the version of the Fire tablet you have.
Cha-ching, you have a message
Getting WhatsApp on your Kindle Fire is easy and now you know exactly how to do it. The good thing is that almost the same methods apply to different messaging apps.
Do you like using WhatsApp? Is there anything in the app that bothers you? Give us your two cents in the comments section below.
