Version 2.18 was the milestone that introduced the sticker library to WhatsApp. Compatibility & Installation

Downloading and installing WhatsApp version 2.18.80 via an IPA file is a method often used to run the app on older, unsupported devices like the iPad or older iPhones. However, as of April 2026, this specific version is largely obsolete and may not function due to WhatsApp's server-side enforcement of updated versions.

Second, unofficial IPA files can be modified to include spyware, adware, or ransomware. Unlike the official App Store, these third-party sources are not vetted by Apple. Once installed, malicious code could access contacts, photos, and messages.

A popular, modern tool for Windows/Mac to install IPAs onto iPhones using your Apple ID.

: Historically, users installed version 2.18.80 on unsupported devices by downloading the .ipa via an older version of iTunes (which still had the App Store) and using file managers like iFunBox to sideload it.

Preserve the IPA for historical purposes, but don’t rely on it for your primary communication.