Many users turn to modified apps like GB WhatsApp to access features that are unavailable on standard messaging platforms. While the users can reap the benefits of such apps, the receivers often get annoyed communicating with such people. This creates curiosity about whether someone you know is using such modified versions. However, identifying users of this app isn't as easy as it looks. It has become even more difficult since the official app introduced the same features.
Therefore, this guide will explain how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp by sharing key differences between both apps. We will also share an additional tool that helps reveal the online activity and last seen of such users. Using the same tool, you can track your contacts' online availability without compromising your data or privacy.
In this article
Part 1. How is GB WhatsApp Different from the Original WhatsApp?
Before jumping into the methods directly, you need to understand the key differences between the official and GB versions. For those who want to learn how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp, the key differences in the following table will be helpful:
Feature | Original Version | GB WhatsApp |
Theme Customization | Default themes only. | Multiple customizable themes are available. |
Status Viewing | You can hide your status view by turning off Read Receipts. | By default, your status view is only counted if you allow it. You can also save statuses. |
Forward Message Limit | The main app allows forwarding to 5 people or groups at a time. | There is no forwarding limit on GB WhatsApp. |
Security | It receives regular security patches for enhanced protection. | The app is not secure, and your data is always at risk. |
Deleted Messages | You cannot see messages after they are deleted from the other side. | Users can see and give replies to deleted messages. |
Media Sharing | Videos can be shared up to 100 MBs, while documents can go up to 2 GBs. | There is no file size limit on GB WhatsApp. |
Part 2. Top 6 Ways | How to Know If Someone is Using GB WhatsApp
After the key differences, let’s discuss the top ways to help identify modded app users. The following ways explain comprehensive checkpoints for those searching. How do you know if someone is using GB WhatsApp?
1. Detect Deleted Message Visibility
A common sign of GB WhatsApp usage is the ability to view deleted messages. In the standard version of the messaging app, you cannot see a message once it is deleted. However, the modded app users can see the deleted messages and media and reply to them. Therefore, an easy test to identify if someone is using the GB version of the app is to send a message and delete it shortly afterward.
If they reply to that message, you will automatically know they are using the modded app. However, screenshots or external apps also explain this behavior, so you might need additional ways to confirm their modded app usage.
2. Monitor Deleted Status Reactions
Usually, once a status is removed, it disappears entirely for all the contacts on the official app. However, the modded version of the messaging app enables users to view and respond to deleted statuses. Such users can view statuses, save them on their phones, and reply.
You can learn how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp by uploading a status and deleting it soon after. When someone mentions or reacts to the deleted status, it may be evidence that they are using GB WhatsApp. However, you may need to confirm whether they viewed it before deletion to rule out other explanations.
3. Check for Hidden Typing Indicators
While you can hide your last seen in the official app, users can still know you’re online by checking typing or recording indicators. However, unlike the original version, GB WhatsApp lets users hide these indicators and their last saw status. When someone often replies without showing any typing or recording activity, it may indicate the usage of a modded application.
Therefore, you should look for patterns where the sender may seem inactive yet respond instantly. Most of the time, such differences point to hidden activity features that are available in GB WhatsApp.
4. Analyze Custom Themes and Layouts
Another litmus test for those questioning “how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp” is that the official app only allows changing wallpapers. On the other hand, GB WhatsApp supports custom themes, fonts, and interface designs to enhance user experience. You can easily know if someone uses the modified version by asking them for a screenshot of the chat.
When they share the screenshot, look for colorful layouts, changed fonts, or altered icons. You will know they are on a different version when their complete layout differs from yours. Similarly, GB WhatsApp allows you to choose what should be shown in the profile banner. Therefore, you should also look if something, like the profile picture or the calling icon, is missing in the screenshot.
5. Look for Large File Sharing Capabilities
The table above shows that the original WhatsApp limits file sharing to 2 GBs for documents and 100 MBs for videos. Additionally, the original app allows you to share only a hundred images simultaneously. On the other hand, GB WhatsApp will enable users to send much larger files and photos in higher quality.
Similarly, there are no restrictions regarding how many images and videos you can share simultaneously. Therefore, you can quickly identify the usage of the modded app when someone regularly sends uncompressed files. Additionally, you can test this yourself by asking them to send large files or multiple pictures.
6. Automated Replies and Message Scheduling
You can also learn how to check if someone is using GB WhatsApp by seeing if they are sending automated messages. While you can set up automated replies in the business version of the official app, the feature isn't accessible in the standard version.
Similarly, checking the sender's profile will let you know if the automated reply is received from the business app. In addition to sending computerized replies, GB WhatsApp supports scheduled messages. Therefore, if you receive a few texts together while the other person is absent, they are using the unofficial app.
Pro Tip. Get the Best WhatsApp Activity Tracker to Get Real-Time Updates!
While the shared methods are good enough to learn how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp, additional tools can also help. For this purpose, WaLastseen is a highly recommended tool that primarily allows users to see their contacts' online activity. You can set up notification alerts of specific contacts and see if they are shown online on WhatsApp.
When your sent messages are shown as single ticked, but WaLastseen provides notifications alerts about their online activity, you will know they are using the modded app. In addition, you can use this tool to track the availability of your contacts for various purposes. Business owners can also use it to connect with their potential clients, while parents can keep an eye on their kids using this tool.
Key Features
- Multiple Contacts Tracking: You can see the online availability of more than one WhatsApp user with WaLastseen.
- Status Saver: Users can directly download their favorite stories shared by their contacts without downloading dedicated tools.
- Online Version: iOS users can access WaLasteen through their browsers to see whether their contacts are using GB WhatsApp.
- Using Multiple Accounts: Apart from tracking, users can access more than two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone using this tool.
How to Use WaLastseen to Track Online & Offline Activity of Your Friends/Family
After learning about how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp and WaLastseen’s key features, let’s see how to use it for activity tracking. In the following section, you will find detailed steps to get real-time alerts about your contacts’ online availability:
Step 1. Permit WaLastseen to Access Contacts
After installing the mobile application, tap the “Add Contacts” button from the main screen. Then, the app will ask you to provide access to your contacts. You need to allocate this permission by pressing the “Allow” button at the bottom of the menu.
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Step 2. Select the Contacts for Tracking and Add the Country Code
Once the permissions are allotted and the app can access your dial book, you will see all your contacts listed there. To start tracking their activity, tap the “Add” button next to the contacts’ names. On the next screen, you need to select their country code and press the “Start Tracking” button.

Step 3. Select the Ideal Plan and Initiate Tracking
Before the tracking process is initiated, the app will ask you to purchase a premium package. Depending on your needs, you can select any plan for additional benefits apart from online tracking. After selecting the suitable premium plan, press the “Buy Now” button to use WaLastseen. Now, you will be able to track the online activity by pressing the contact’s profile picture and then going to the “Activity” tab.
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Conclusion
In summary, while finding out whether the other person is using GB WhatsApp is technical, many ways can help. You can learn how to know if someone is using GB WhatsApp by differentiating the advanced features of the modded app from the regular version. For example, replying to deleted messages or using custom themes shows the usage of this app. You can also use tools like WaLastseen to determine whether the other person uses GB WhatsApp strategically.
The advanced tool is commonly used for activity tracking, but its real-time alert feature is useful in concluding the use of the unofficial app. Apart from this feature, users can also use it for parental control and to promote their businesses. Additionally, users can also use this tool to access multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same device.
FAQ
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Q1. Can someone use both WhatsApp and GB WhatsApp?
Users can use the official messaging app along with its GB variant to access two different accounts on the same device. However, it is recommended that both accounts be accessed through the official app, as GB WhatsApp is unsafe. -
Q2. Is GB WhatsApp safe to use?
Since the app is not endorsed or supported by the official developers, the app is not considered safe. In addition to that, many reports also suggest that the GB variant steals users' data and is vulnerable to security breaches. -
Q3. Are there safer alternatives to GB WhatsApp?
The only safe alternative to the modded messaging app is to use the official WhatsApp mobile application. However, for tracking purposes without other people knowing, WaLastseen is a secure and reliable method that relies on publicly available data.