How it works.
Your bridge. Your messages.
Your bridge. Your messages.
The old WhatsApp app can't connect anymore. WA Classic uses a small program, the bridge, that runs on a computer in your home and is linked to your account like WhatsApp Web. Your iPhone only ever talks to your own bridge. No one else's server is in between.
Set up your bridgeWhatsApp, as always. It stays the main device.
A Mac, PC, Raspberry Pi or NAS at home, linked like WhatsApp Web.
WA Classic, at home or away.
At home the iPhone talks to the bridge over your Wi-Fi. Away from home it connects through the internet, encrypted, and only accepts your own bridge's certificate. All it takes is one port forwarding on your router.
Set it up for away from homeWi-Fi, straight to the bridge.
Encrypted, through your router.
WA Classic comes from the Cydia source cydia.waclassic.com, and Cydia offers every new version as an update. Your bridge is a Cydia source too, in case the iPhone can't reach the internet.
Get startedAdd cydia.waclassic.com, tap Install.
Internet connections without a public IP (carrier-grade NAT) can only use WA Classic at home.
WA Classic is an unofficial client and not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to WhatsApp or Meta. Using it may break WhatsApp's terms of service; your account could be banned. Messages are stored unencrypted on the computer that runs the bridge.