I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be
able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp
and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be annoying.

Any comments?

--
If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.

Ernest Rutherford

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On 09/02/2025 17:03, Tim Streater wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be annoying.

Any comments?

If its truly dumb it can't run whatsapp. It needs to be able to read a
QR Code to link the devices so it needs a camera. You may find the
version on the "dumb" device doesn't support linking so check.

You don't need two sims. Just pop the SIM from the Doro into the
"burner" when you need to link the App. The apps don't need the phone to
be switched on to work. I just tested it.

Dave
p.s. whilst they are "Dumb" the cheapest seems to be £100. A lot of
money just for WhatsApp.

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Tim Streater <tim@streater.me.uk> wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be annoying.

No experience with the dumbphones, although I suspect the clients don't get updates. I wonder at what point WA decides to cut off clients of a certain age? I know on Android/iOS their client stops working regularly if you
don't update it.

Could you use an old iPhone / Android and keep it in a drawer? Install the
WA app on it. You may be able to register using the number for your
dumbphone (it sends a verification SMS, which you'd enter into the WA app),
and once you have it set up then you can link the smartphone with WA's
website client and send/receive messages via the web app. Then turn off the phone and put it in a drawer. WA will pester you if it hasn't seen the smartphone for a while, in which turn it on and start the WA app, let it
sync and then turn it off again.

If it insists on having a SIM in that phone, get a PAYG SIM for £10 and make
a chargeable call / send an SMS every 6 months to keep it alive. That gets
you a mobile number. Use that as your number for WA. Once you have WA set
up you can then put the phone in the drawer and proceed as above. One advantage here is that other people don't see that your Doro number is on WA and send it WA messages and then are surprised that you don't receive them
when you're away from your computer.

Theo

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On 9 Feb 2025 at 17:51:57 GMT, "David Wade" <g4ugm@dave.invalid> wrote:

On 09/02/2025 17:03, Tim Streater wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only >> downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that
WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be >> able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work >> like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and
then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it
stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the >> moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but
there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I >> could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp >> and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be
annoying.

Any comments?

If its truly dumb it can't run whatsapp. It needs to be able to read a
QR Code to link the devices so it needs a camera. You may find the
version on the "dumb" device doesn't support linking so check.

You don't need two sims. Just pop the SIM from the Doro into the
"burner" when you need to link the App. The apps don't need the phone to
be switched on to work. I just tested it.

Useful info - thanks.

p.s. whilst they are "Dumb" the cheapest seems to be £100. A lot of
money just for WhatsApp.

This is true, of course.

--
What power have you got?
Where did you get it from?
In whose interests do you use it?
To whom are you accountable?
How do we get rid of you?

Tony Benn

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On 9 Feb 2025 at 18:14:10 GMT, "Theo" <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Tim Streater <tim@streater.me.uk> wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only >> downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that
WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be >> able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work >> like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and
then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it
stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the >> moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but
there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I >> could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp >> and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be
annoying.

No experience with the dumbphones, although I suspect the clients don't get updates. I wonder at what point WA decides to cut off clients of a certain age? I know on Android/iOS their client stops working regularly if you
don't update it.

Could you use an old iPhone / Android and keep it in a drawer? Install the WA app on it. You may be able to register using the number for your dumbphone (it sends a verification SMS, which you'd enter into the WA app), and once you have it set up then you can link the smartphone with WA's website client and send/receive messages via the web app. Then turn off the phone and put it in a drawer. WA will pester you if it hasn't seen the smartphone for a while, in which turn it on and start the WA app, let it
sync and then turn it off again.

If it insists on having a SIM in that phone, get a PAYG SIM for £10 and make a chargeable call / send an SMS every 6 months to keep it alive. That gets you a mobile number. Use that as your number for WA. Once you have WA set up you can then put the phone in the drawer and proceed as above. One advantage here is that other people don't see that your Doro number is on WA and send it WA messages and then are surprised that you don't receive them when you're away from your computer.

+1

--
Tim

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On 09/02/2025 18:14, Theo wrote:

Tim Streater <tim@streater.me.uk> wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only >> downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that
WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be >> able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work >> like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and
then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it
stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the >> moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but
there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I >> could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp >> and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be
annoying.

No experience with the dumbphones, although I suspect the clients don't get updates. I wonder at what point WA decides to cut off clients of a certain age? I know on Android/iOS their client stops working regularly if you
don't update it.

The are just Android with cut-down functionality. I suspect like many of
the bundled pre-installed apps they get updates.

Could you use an old iPhone / Android and keep it in a drawer? Install the WA app on it. You may be able to register using the number for your dumbphone (it sends a verification SMS, which you'd enter into the WA app), and once you have it set up then you can link the smartphone with WA's website client and send/receive messages via the web app. Then turn off the phone and put it in a drawer. WA will pester you if it hasn't seen the smartphone for a while, in which turn it on and start the WA app, let it
sync and then turn it off again.

Why not just pop the existing SIM in the burner as and when its needed..

If it insists on having a SIM in that phone, get a PAYG SIM for £10 and make a chargeable call / send an SMS every 6 months to keep it alive. That gets you a mobile number. Use that as your number for WA. Once you have WA set up you can then put the phone in the drawer and proceed as above. One advantage here is that other people don't see that your Doro number is on WA and send it WA messages and then are surprised that you don't receive them when you're away from your computer.

True, buts its a total faff having a second number. Especially if it
expires..

Theo

Dave

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On 09/02/2025 17:03, Tim Streater wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be annoying.

Any comments?

But a PAYG sim for £10 and the cheapest heap of android shit that works
with it from e.g. Argos, or a second hand shop or ebay, and simply never
make a call on it - i.,e,. turn off mobile data and only use it where
there is wifi.

It is a handy thing to have for emergencies - 999 calls are free!
--
Those who want slavery should have the grace to name it by its proper
name. They must face the full meaning of that which they are advocating
or condoning; the full, exact, specific meaning of collectivism, of its
logical implications, of the principles upon which it is based, and of
the ultimate consequences to which these principles will lead. They must
face it, then decide whether this is what they want or not.

Ayn Rand.

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David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid> wrote:

On 09/02/2025 18:14, Theo wrote:

Tim Streater <tim@streater.me.uk> wrote:

I retired my iPhone last year, and went back to a Doro clamshell. The only >> downside is that typing messages is a bit clumsy. Then I discovered that >> WhatsApp has desktop versions, and as there are two or three WhatsApp groups I
really ought to be a member of (set up by SWMBO), I naively assumed I'd be >> able to join these using my Doro's phone number. But it doesn't seem to work
like that: you have to already be using WhatsApp on an iPhone or similar, and
then make the desktop app be a slave to that phone. I can't do this as it >> stands as I don't have a phone running, or that can run, WhatsApp. For the >> moment I've latched my desktop instance to SWMBO's phone. Which is OK but >> there's a certain amount of noise.

There are, however, various non-smartphones that incorporate WhatsApp, so I
could consider getting one of those as a burner, just using it for WhatsApp
and thus only joining the groups I want to (i.e., not spying on all of SWMBO's
groups). Course I'd have to pay for phone service on that, which would be >> annoying.

No experience with the dumbphones, although I suspect the clients don't get updates. I wonder at what point WA decides to cut off clients of a certain age? I know on Android/iOS their client stops working regularly if you don't update it.

The are just Android with cut-down functionality. I suspect like many of
the bundled pre-installed apps they get updates.

Some are, some run other OSes like KaiOS, Mocor, ThreadX... I know KaiOS
used to support WA but the client was deprecated, which is why I'd be wary
of WA support on dumbphones.

If it does run Android, why not just use a regular Android (or iOS) phone? Perhaps with some apps to make it more dumbphone-like? (various are
available)

Could you use an old iPhone / Android and keep it in a drawer? Install the WA app on it. You may be able to register using the number for your dumbphone (it sends a verification SMS, which you'd enter into the WA app), and once you have it set up then you can link the smartphone with WA's website client and send/receive messages via the web app. Then turn off the
phone and put it in a drawer. WA will pester you if it hasn't seen the smartphone for a while, in which turn it on and start the WA app, let it sync and then turn it off again.

Why not just pop the existing SIM in the burner as and when its needed..

Presumably the OP wants to carry on using their primary phone. Swapping
SIMs is hassle, especially given the little trays and ejector tools you
have to use nowadays.

If it insists on having a SIM in that phone, get a PAYG SIM for £10 and make
a chargeable call / send an SMS every 6 months to keep it alive. That gets you a mobile number. Use that as your number for WA. Once you have WA set up you can then put the phone in the drawer and proceed as above. One advantage here is that other people don't see that your Doro number is on WA
and send it WA messages and then are surprised that you don't receive them when you're away from your computer.

True, buts its a total faff having a second number. Especially if it expires..

Horses for courses... depends what kind of faff you prefer.

If the WA-sends-verification-SMS-to-dumbphone trick works, then no need for
a second number.

Theo

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I'll have to try Memu, I've been using Bluestacks, but recently
the emulator is so well hidden beneath the gaming bloat, I can't
find it anymore!


--

Graham.
%Profound_observation%

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