How to Install Watusi for WhatsApp

Watusi is an all-in-one tweak for WhatsApp Messenger. This guide covers every installation method depending on your device and setup.

Jailbroken Devices

If your device is jailbroken, installation is straightforward:

Add the following repo to your package manager (Cydia, Zebra, or Sileo):
1 https://apt.fouadraheb.com
Search for Watusi 3 and install it.

Not sure if your device can be jailbroken? Check appledb.dev to find out.

Sideloading (No Jailbreak)

If you’re not jailbroken, you can install Watusi by sideloading an IPA file. There are two options:

Option 1: Sideload with AltStore (Free)

Use AltStore to sign and install the IPA from your computer. The app will expire every 7 days, but AltStore can auto-refresh it.

Requirements:

A computer running macOS or Windows
Apple ID (email & password)
On iOS 16+, enable Developer Mode (Settings > Privacy & Security > Developer Mode)

Steps:

Download and install AltServer on your computer from altstore.io.
Connect your phone, right-click AltServer, choose Install AltStore, then select your phone. Sign in with your Apple ID when prompted.
Make sure no other WhatsApp with the same bundle identifier is already installed.
Download the IPA file from the table below.
If you have AltStore sources: Add our source https://source.fouadraheb.com and download directly from AltStore.
If not: Copy the IPA to your phone (via iCloud Drive, AirDrop, etc.), open AltStore, go to My Apps, tap the + button, and select the IPA file.

If you get a “Please sign in with app-specific password” error, you have 2-factor authentication enabled. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and create an app-specific password to use instead.

Download IPAs for Sideloading:

Application	Bundle ID	WhatsApp	Watusi
WhatsApp	net.whatsapp.WhatsApp	26.14.73	1.3.9
WhatsApp Duplicate	com.fouadraheb.watusi	26.14.73	1.3.9
WA Business	net.whatsapp.WhatsAppSMB	26.14.73	1.3.9
WA Business Duplicate	com.fouadraheb.watusiSMB	26.14.73	1.3.9

These IPAs have the Plugins folder removed and include fixes to prevent WhatsApp from crashing when not signed with a developer account. Stalky, OnlineNotify, and ContactSync are disabled by default but can be enabled from Watusi Settings.

Option 2: Use a Signing Store (Paid, 1 Year)

Instead of re-signing every 7 days, you can use a paid signing certificate to keep the app valid for 1 year.

Flekstore is one of the most reliable options. Add our sideloading source https://source.fouadraheb.com to download apps directly.

Option 3: Apple Developer Account (Paid, 1 Year)

You can upgrade your Apple ID to a developer account at developer.apple.com ($100/year) and sign apps yourself for 1 year.

See our step-by-step tutorial on creating a distribution certificate.

Sideloading with TrollStore

If you’re on a supported iOS version, TrollStore lets you permanently install apps with full functionality (push notifications + iCloud).

Supported versions:

iOS 14 - 16.6.1 (iPhone X / A11 and older)
iOS 14 - 16.6 beta 1 (iPhone 11 and newer)

Steps:

Install TrollStore (alternative guide).
Install and activate WhatsApp from the App Store.
Download the TrollStore IPA from the table below.
Open the IPA in TrollStore.
Choose Install to overwrite the original WhatsApp.

Download IPAs for TrollStore:

Application	Bundle ID	WhatsApp	Watusi
WhatsApp	net.whatsapp.WhatsApp	26.14.73	1.3.9
WA Business	net.whatsapp.WhatsAppSMB	26.14.73	1.3.9
WhatsApp Duplicate	com.fouadraheb.watusi	26.14.73	1.3.9
WA Business Duplicate	com.fouadraheb.watusiSMB	26.14.73	1.3.9

These IPAs are fake-signed with their original entitlements. They will crash if not installed via TrollStore or signed with a proper certificate.

Stalky, OnlineNotify, and ContactSync are disabled by default but can be enabled from Watusi Settings.

TrollStore: Notification Issues

If you have issues with notifications, try these alternative TrollStore IPAs that don’t inject into WhatsApp extensions:

Application	Bundle ID	WhatsApp	Watusi
WhatsApp (No Plugins)	net.whatsapp.WhatsApp	26.14.73	1.3.9
WA Business (No Plugins)	net.whatsapp.WhatsAppSMB	26.14.73	1.3.9

This notification issue used to occur on jailbroken devices as well. See this blog post for a technical explanation.

Using Watusi as a Linked Device

This method lets you keep the original WhatsApp for notifications and iCloud backup, while using Watusi as a linked device through a duplicate app.

Steps:

Install and activate the original WhatsApp from the App Store.
Download and install a Duplicate Watusi IPA from the sideloading table above.
Open the duplicate app. On the welcome screen, tap 3 times on the animated image and select Watusi preferences.
Go to Notifications > enable Enable Local Notifications > set it to Audio (if Audio doesn’t work, try Location).
Go back to the welcome screen, tap Agree and Continue, then tap Link this device.
Screenshot the QR code and send it to another device. Keep Watusi open in the background.
On your original WhatsApp, go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device.
Scan the QR code from your other device. Wait for it to link and load your chats.
Once linked, go back to the duplicate app and disable Local Notifications in Watusi settings.

You must disable Local Notifications after linking. Keeping it enabled can cause a logout and require re-linking.

Tips:

Remove the original WhatsApp from your home screen so you only use the duplicate.
Create a Shortcuts automation to open the duplicate app automatically when tapping the original WhatsApp (useful for notifications).
Turn off notifications for the duplicate app in iOS Settings so you don’t get double notifications.
Open the original WhatsApp occasionally to keep chats synced and backed up to iCloud.

Manually Backup and Restore Chats

If you’re using a duplicate as a linked device, you don’t need this method since chats sync from the main WhatsApp.

iCloud backup doesn’t work with sideloaded apps, but you can manually backup and restore your chats through the Files app.

Backup:

Open the Files app and navigate to the WhatsApp folder.
Select all items and copy them.
Go back, create a new folder (e.g., “WhatsApp Backup”), and paste.

Restore:

Delete WhatsApp from your device.
Install the latest Watusi IPA, open it once, then close it.
In the Files app, go to your backup folder and copy all items.
Navigate to the new WhatsApp folder, delete everything inside, and paste the backup.
Open WhatsApp and complete registration. Your chats should be restored.

The app must have the “Document Browser” feature enabled to access its data from Files. All Watusi IPAs have this enabled by default.

FAQ

Q: The app expires after 7 days. How do I keep it? AltStore auto-refreshes the app as long as your phone connects to the same Wi-Fi as your computer running AltServer. Alternatively, use a signing store or developer account for 1-year signing.

Q: Can I receive push notifications? Only with TrollStore on supported devices, or if you sign with a proper developer certificate. The linked device method is a workaround where your original WhatsApp handles notifications.

Q: Can I use iCloud backup? Only with TrollStore or a properly signed app. For sideloaded apps, use the manual backup method.

Q: I get “Please sign in with app-specific password” error. You have 2-factor authentication enabled. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and generate an app-specific password.

Version History

Check Watusi release notes on the changelogs page.

Support

Need help or have a feature request?

Join our Discord server
Use the Contact Support button in Watusi settings
Email [email protected]