FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This section is intended to answer common questions related to WA Tweaker. If you're unable to find an answer to your question, you can write a comment in the box at the end of the page or send an email.

What is WA Tweaker?

WA Tweaker is a mobile application for Android rooted devices that allows you to enable the unreleased hidden features, these are features that WhatsApp is still developing and are not ready for release. WA Tweaker also has an integrated xposed module that allows you to make changes to the UI or modify the behavior of the app.

Why did you change the name of WA Tweaks in WA Tweaker?

WA Tweaker was first known as WA Tweaks. I decided to change the name to counter the bad behavior of an user who has decided, without my authorization, to create a .com website and start to make money with the advertising on the site using my work and the fame of WA Tweaks.
This very bad person has explicitly said, several times, that he would not give me the domain because he want to continue to earn with advertising so I had to take this decision even if I like the old name much more.

If you want more information you can read here and here.

Which root manager should I use?

You can use the root manager you prefer, WA Tweaker works with all of them but I recommend using Magisk created by topjohnwu.
In future releases WA Tweaker may be more compatible with this root manager.

⚠️ Pay attention to where you download the files. There is a FAKE site called magiskmanager[.]com, DO NOT OPEN IT absolutely! The sites that I've linked on this FAQ for download the files are safe ⚠️

My phone is not rooted, can I use this app?
Without root permissions you cannot use most of the functions available in the app, but there are some things that you can do:
  • Fetch informations about the WhatsApp backup on Google Drive
  • WhatsApp cleaner
  • Open the PSA chat
  • Extract installed WhatsApp APK
  • Extract and save friends Statuses
Must I have Xposed Framework to use the application?

The main purpose of the app is to activate hidden features that WhatsApp is developing, to do this you do not need the Xposed Framework. WA Tweaker, however, offers many other cool features, such as client customization or tweaks for privacy management that necessarily require the Xposed Framework.

Can I remove downloaded updates APK without using an external file manager?

Sure! WA Tweaker has an integrated option to delete the downloaded APK updates files, go to Information section and press and hold the "Check for updates" option.

I need an old version, where can I download it?

It is not recommended to install an old version but if you need it for some reason you can download the APK file from the following OFFICIAL mirrors:

Alternatively, you can access one of these sites directly within the app by going to the information section and pressing and holding the "Version" option.

What does "hidden feature" mean?

The "hidden features" are features that WhatsApp has already added into the beta release but are disabled by default, and generally it is necessary to wait for the server side activation.
The features that are still under development are also hidden features so activating them may not work correctly and this does not depend on WA Tweaker, obviously.

Why do hidden features turn off automatically?

This happens because WhatsApp downloads the default configuration from the server every 24h, sometimes after a restart of the phone or in case the WhatsApp process is terminated many times (for example due to the energy saving or the Android battery optimization setting).
It is not possible to prevent this behavior for hidden features activated by root.
If you want to activate them permanently you have to use the xposed section.

I have installed the Xposed Framework APK but the tweaks doesn't work, why?

It is not enough to install only the Xposed Framework APK, you must necessarily flash the Xposed Framework zip through a Custom Recovery.
If you need more information or support, you can consult this Thread on XDA.
If you are on Android 9 or newer you should install the EdXposed Framework by MeowCat, you can consult this website for more information.

What information do you get?

I collect some anonymous data about the application's use, for example:

  • How many users use the app
  • The time spent using the application
  • Phone model
  • Android version
  • WhatsApp version
All informations are provided by Google Firebase. If you want you can read their privacy policies here.

Where I can ask for support?

If you need help you can:

There is also a Thread on XDA forum but I check it only once a month (generally at the end of the month), so, if you need an immediate reply please use an alternative way to contact me! (The thread is closed.)
If your question is asked correctly you will surely receive an answer 😉

Where can I download WA Tweaker for iOS?

WA Tweaker is not available for iOS and probably will never be.
If you are looking for something to customize WhatsApp and privacy tweaks you can install Watusi 2 created by Fouad Raheb.
You must have a jailbroken device in order to install Watusi 2!

Where can I download WA Tweaker for Windows Phone?

WA Tweaker is not available for Windows Phone at the moment, maybe in the future.

Can I use WA Tweaks and WA Tweaker at the same time?

No, you can't. You must uninstall WA Tweaks before to use WA Tweaker!

Why Play Protect says that the app can damage the phone?

Starting from the version 1.2.5 WA Tweaker sets SELinux to Permissive on Android Pie otherwhise the WhatsApp are resetted immediately. This behaviour triggers the Play Protect alert, don't worry WA Tweaker is safe 😄 you can ask to WABetaInfo to confirm it 😉 Anyway nothing is done secretly, if the app is launched on Android Pie a warning that asks for the modification of SELinux policy is shown to users and the request can be also declined, of course.
Starting from the version 1.4.4 WA Tweaker no longer needs SELinux in permissive mode so Play Protect should no longer show any warnings!

Why the patch for the stable version is not available?

The patch for the stable version is not released immediately but after a week*. I suggest you to use the BETA version, the patch for it is released everyday!

*Starting January 2021, only one stable version will be supported and the patch will be released on the last day of the month and will only support the latest stable version available at that time.

When WA Tweaker is installed I can no longer visit the fake WA Tweakes website, is this normal?

Yes that's normal, WA Tweaker prevents any webview from loading that site and all sites linked to the thief who stole the domain.*
This restriction has been added since version 1.4.2 and will remain until he hands me the domain he registered without my authorization.
Starting from version 1.5.8 this restriction will also be extended to Chrome.
In any case, you have no reason to visit that fake site, not even out of curiosity 😇

*this only applies to users with Xposed.

Why is WA Tweaker closed source?

I'll answer you with a question: why make it easy for WhatsApp to understand what to do to stop WA Tweaker from working?