Tech Desk 
Jul 26, 2024
An undated image of the WhatsApp icon is displayed on a mobile screen. — Canva
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on his WhatsApp channel that WhatsApp has reached 100 million monthly active users in the US as of July 25. According to WhatsApp, the app has become more famous in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Seattle.
However, the company said that it’s experienced “major growth” in Southern states, with more than 10 million users in Texas.
WhatsApp spokesperson Ashley O’Reilly in a press release said, “This is the first time data about users has been released since Meta acquired the messaging app and demonstrates how the messaging platform, already the biggest messaging app in the world, has experienced tremendous growth in the US.”
Read more: What happened to WhatsApp service in Pakistan
Meta Acquired WhatsApp for $16 billion in 2014, and put a lot of effort into creating WhatsApp as famous in the US as it is globally.
Recently, WhatsApp gained attention when it rejoined the cast of Modern Family for an ad promotion of this very feature to families.
Although WhatsApp holds more than 2 billion users in over 180 countries, it’s still less famous in the US than rivals such as Apple’s iMessage.
WhatsApp might have experienced growth in the US, but it’s going to be even harder for the messaging app to compete once Apple replaces Rich Communication Services (RCS) as the communication protocol between Android and iOS devices.
RCS support will be added to iOS 18 this fall, which means iPhone users won’t necessarily be required to switch group chats over to WhatsApp — and Meta needs to start reconsidering its marketing strategy.
