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GO exec how to use WhatsApp
GO exec how to use WhatsApp

How to set up your device to save data using WhatsApp

Jon Bilger avatar
Written by Jon Bilger
Updated today

October 2024 Iridium has released a new GO exec App version which includes new Firmware for your GO exec, which improves the WhatsApp experience. Please visit your App store to download the latest GO exec App.

The WhatsApp profiles are an improvement from the old default WhatsApp profiles. They are much more effective in restricting your device's data usage to WhatsApp only and limiting background data transfers.

PredictWind recommends using the WhatsApp Text Web/App profile only and time-limiting sessions to 15 minutes. Carefully monitor the Data Usage meter in the GO exec App or on the device touchscreen when connecting with any WhatsApp Web/App profile.

Please see this help article for steps to update your GO exec firmware.

Warning

WhatsApp is not optimized 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 having the Unlimited Airtime plan.

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: Using the old default WhatsApp Web/App profile or the new WhatsApp Full profile available in the Iridium GO exec App opens a connection to all services from the company called Meta. Meta owns WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram.

If you have any of these Apps open at the same time as using WhatsApp, they may also consume a large amount of data from the Facebook & Instagram Apps, even if you do not use them.

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:

  1. Open your iOS device settings.

  2. Tap the Iridium or DataHub Wi-Fi, e.g. IRIDIUM-62341 or PW-Hub-xxxx.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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:

  1. Open your Android device Settings.

  2. Tap Network and Internet > Internet.

  3. Under Wi-Fi networks, tap to connect to Iridium or DataHub Wi-Fi.

  4. Tap Network Usage and select Treat as Metered then tap the <- back arrow top left of the screen.

  5. 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:

  1. Tap Settings (Android: tap the three dots on the top right of the screen) > Storage and Data.

  2. Check Use Less Data for Calls is enabled.

  3. Set Media Upload Quality to Standard.

  4. Set Media auto-download for Photos, Audio, Video and Documents to Off.

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