Since October 2024, Iridium has released a new GO exec App version, which includes new Firmware for your GO exec. You must update your GO exec Firmware first before using WhatsApp.
Please see this help article for steps to update your GO exec firmware.
Warning
WhatsApp is not optimised for data usage on a Satellite connection. You may use a lot of data with WhatsApp. Please exercise caution and monitor usage!
We strongly suggest subscribing to the Unlimited or PredictWind Airtime plans. These plans include all WhatsApp data, so you cannot get overages.
For setup guidance using the GO exec and DataHub with WhatsApp on the PredictWind or Unlimited Plans, please see: How to enable an extended session on WhatsApp with the Unlimited and PredictWind Airtime Plans.
Continue reading below about how to configure your phone to optimise WhatsApp.
How WhatsApp Works
WhatsApp is an online App, always active on your phone, even in the background, constantly checking and updating your and your contacts' status and receiving updates from any groups you are part of. The larger your contact list and the more groups you're a part of, the more data it will transfer in the background.
Important Note: WhatsApp via Text or Full profiles will not work via a laptop, only a mobile device, e.g. iOS or Android.
How to connect using the WhatsApp Web/App profiles
The GO exec has two new built-in Web/App Profiles for WhatsApp. To use them:
Iridium GO exec device
On the device's touchscreen, tap the white Globe to open Internet.
Tap Web/App Profile.
Tap WhatsApp Text or WhatsApp Full. PredictWind recommends WhatsApp Text.
Tap Connect to start a data session.
GO exec App
Tap the white Globe to open Internet.
Tap the Web/App Profile and select WhatsApp Text.
Tap Connect to start a data session.
Important Notes: When connected, below the Connect button on the GO exec App and the GO touchscreen, you will see the Data Usage.
Carefully monitor this usage when using the WhatsApp Text or WhatsApp Full profiles to ensure you do not experience bill shock or exhaust your PredictWind airtime plan AnyApp Data.
When a data session is in progress, the active profile can be changed at any time from the Iridium GO exec device or in the Iridium GO exec App. This may work; however, from testing, we have found it better to disconnect, change the profile and reconnect. You may also need to force close your App and reopen it.
WhatsApp Web/App Profile Descriptions
WhatsApp Text
This profile allows text messages, emoticons, and audio calls. It does not support sending photos, media attachments, voice notes or stickers. When using this Web/App profile, sending your first text message may take around 45 seconds. After that, it will be near real-time.
WhatsApp Full
This profile allows full access to most WhatsApp features, including sending photos, media attachments, voice notes and stickers.
For sharing photos, your GO exec will upload 22Kbps and download 88Kbps. Sending large photos, even when compressed, may be slow. We recommend sending photos via PredictMail or downloading an App to resize and compress images before sending.
Recommended device settings and use of WhatsApp
To further limit data usage, please refer to all the additional optimized phone settings below to enable low data mode, disable chat backup and media auto-download. In addition:
Delete all unnecessary Chats from your WhatsApp by swiping left on the chat, tapping More, and tapping Delete Chat.
Avoid swiping down your WhatsApp contacts list. This will trigger the App to re-check the status and download new icon images for old contacts.
Ensure your GO exec is in strong coverage and consistently displays 4-5 bars of coverage. If your coverage is poor or intermittent, you will use more data.
Enable Low Data Mode / Treat as metered
Restart your phone and ensure no Apps are running in the background. Open your Wi-Fi settings, then:
iPhone - Low Data Mode
To configure your iPhone with Low Data mode:
Open your iOS device settings.
Tap the Iridium or DataHub Wi-Fi, e.g. IRIDIUM-62341 or PW-Hub-xxxx.
Tap the blue i to the right of the Wi-Fi network name to open the Wi-Fi network settings and tap to enable Low Data Mode.
Swipe down and tap to disable Private Wi-Fi Address, which may prevent the GO exec App from connecting to your device, then tap < Wi-Fi on the top left of the screen to return to the Wi-Fi settings menu.
If you have successfully enabled Low Data Mode, it will display No Internet Connection - Low Data Mode under the Wi-Fi network name when connected.
Android 14 - Treat as metered
To set your Android 14 device to treat the Wi-Fi network as metered:
Open your Android device Settings.
Tap Network and Internet > Internet.
Under Wi-Fi networks, tap to connect to Iridium or DataHub Wi-Fi.
Tap Network Usage and select Treat as Metered then tap the <- back arrow top left of the screen.
If you have successfully enabled Treat as Metered, the Wi-Fi network status will display "Connected to device. Can't provide Internet/Metered".
Android 9 - Treat as metered
To set your Android 9 device to treat a Wi-Fi network as metered:
Tap the Iridium Wi-Fi, e.g. IRIDIUM-62341
Tap Advanced
Tap Metered network and change it from Automatic to Treat as Metered.
Tap Save.
If you have successfully enabled Treat as Metered, it will display Metered/Internet may not be available under the GO exec Wi-Fi network name when connected.
Disable WhatsApp's automatic backup
To do this in WhatsApp:
iPhone - Disable Automatic Backup
To disable WhatsApp Automatic Backup on an iPhone:
Open WhatsApp and tap the Settings cog in the bottom right of the screen
Tap Chats > Chat Backup > Auto Backup.
Set Auto Backup to Off.
Android - Disable Automatic Backup
Tap the Settings three dots on the top right of the screen.
Tap Chats > Chat Backup > tap Frequency and set it to Never or Only when I tap "Back Up".
iPhone and Android - set media upload quality to Standard and disable Media Auto-download
To do this on iPhone or Android:
Tap Settings (Android: tap the three dots on the top right of the screen) > Storage and Data.
Check Use Less Data for Calls is enabled.
Set Media Upload Quality to Standard.
Set Media auto-download for Photos, Audio, Video and Documents to Off.
What to expect using WhatsApp via the GO exec
To use WhatsApp via the GO exec it must have and maintain 4-5 bars of coverage consistently. Please check your signal strength on the GO exec touchscreen if you have issues. The GO exec External Antenna is a must-have if you want to use WhatsApp via the GO exec regularly.
Due to the nature of the Iridium connection, incoming WhatsApp messages won’t be delivered automatically. Opening the app on your phone and refreshing your WhatsApp page will check for and deliver any incoming messages.
WhatsApp shows Connecting at the top of the app while it refreshes. Based on your coverage and connectivity, this may take 45 seconds or more each time you open the app. Once connected, WhatsApp will send and receive messages as usual, though sending images will be slow due to the connection speed.
Your GO exec and WhatsApp app versions must be up to date to work. Please update both before heading offshore.