created by Pierogi96m on 02/10/2024 at 20:05 UTC*
12 upvotes, 5 top-level comments (showing 5)
Hey guys, I just found a way to **receive** WhatsApp messages on a dumbphone which I want to share with you.
What you need is **an Android smartphone** (as something like a server) **with a SIM card in it**, so it can send and receive SMS messages (so always connected to the internet, but if everything is set up you don't have to touch your smartphone ever again expect charging the battery some time).
If you have these two things, let's get started:
1. Insert your second SIM card into your smartphone and activate it.
2. **Don't change your number in WhatsApp.** Use your primary phone number like always. It's necessary to get notifications from WhatApp on your smartphone. So in case you didn't activate it, do it now.
3. Install the application **MacroDroid**. It's an official Application for doing automated tasks which you can program.
4. When installed, create a Macro by choosing *Add Macro*.
5. You should now see 3 blocks in the colors red, blue and green. Let's start with the red one, the *Triggers*. Press the '+' button -> Device Events -> Noticication -> Notification Received -> Select Application(s) and then search for WhatsApp. Make sure the option *Include* is checked. After pressing OK you see a big option menue. Just leave everything and press OK again. Finished!
6. Now let's go to the Actions. Press the '+' button -> Messaging -> Send SMS -> Put in your dumbphone(!) phone number. In *Message text* click the three dots on the right side and choose *Notification title*. There should be now *{not_title}* (this will display the name of the person, which sent you a message). After that you can put a ":" and switch to the next line. Now press the three dots again and choose *Notification text*. There should be *{notification}* (this will display the message itself). After that, save your settings on the top right button.
7. Now we need another Action. Press '+' again in the blue field. Go to Macros -> Wait before Next Action -> 3 seconds and then press OK.
8. One last Action and we are done! So click '+' again in the blue field -> Notification -> Clear Notifications -> Select Application(s) -> select WhatsApp and press OK. After that press OK again without changing any settings.
9. We are done! Now give that Macro a name, I call it WhatsApp SEND but you can call it whatever you want.
Once it's set up, you can put your smartphone away. The display doesn't have to be on, it just has to be connected to the internet. Note that this is just for receiving messages on your dumbphone. It can be useful in case someone writes you something important in WhatsApp like cancelling a date, so you are informed and can call this person or write a SMS.
You can use this Macro also as a News ticker for your dumbphone, like for sport news or breaking news in general, just select the news App in the Macro.
It's technically possible to even send WhatsApp messages with your dumbphone, but it's more complicated and is a bit annoying so maybe not really useful.
English is not my native language, so sorry in case something is a bit confusing. Let me know if this is helpful and have a nice time with your dumbphone!
EDIT: changed smartphone to Android smartphone. Unfortunately Apple doesn't have this application for iPhones.
Comment by HTM336 at 02/10/2024 at 23:56 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Would this work with other messaging apps? Signal or Telegram for example?
Comment by RegularReflection733 at 03/10/2024 at 01:02 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Thanks for this guide!
Comment by trolg1 at 26/02/2025 at 21:37 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Does it work with groupchats? Or it's only with personal phone numbers?
Comment by ilovescandals at 02/10/2024 at 20:33 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
SMS are not free so is a no for me
Comment by Apprehensive_Park913 at 02/10/2024 at 20:12 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
How do you send a message. Been doing this for ages but can't figure out how to send