WhatsApp is finally available for the JioPhone that is powered by KaiOS. At the annual AGM back in July, Reliance Jio chairman said that YouTube, WhatsApp and an improved Facebook app will be available for JioPhone from 15th August. After a month’s delay, WhatsApp is now available. The app has been built specially for Jio KaiOS, a web based operating system designed for JioPhone, so that its users get the best experience.
WhatsApp for JioPhone and the JioPhone 2 is available for download from the Jio App store starting today, September 10, 2018 and will be rolled out on all JioPhones by September 20, 2018. Once downloaded, users can verify their phone number with OTP and start chatting.
Since it is available for JioPhone, it should also be available for KaiOS-powered Nokia 8110 4G that is expected to launch in India soon.
Commenting on the launch, Chris Daniels, Vice President, WhatsApp, said:
Millions of people across India can now use WhatsApp private messaging on the best-in-class JioPhone across India. By designing this new app for KaiOS, we hope to expand the ability for people to communicate with anyone in India and around the world by offering the best messaging experience possible to JioPhone users.
Akash Ambani, Director, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, said:
During this movement of connecting the unconnected, many partners came forward to strengthen the cause. One such partner who has really stood by us from the beginning is Facebook and its ecosystem. The result of one such partnership is out for the world to see today. We will be providing WhatsApp, the most used chat application in the world, on all JioPhones starting today. Jio wants to thank the Facebook and WhatsApp team for making this happen.