When I first moved to Norway, I thought WhatsApp would be everywhere, just like in most other countries. But surprise! People here hardly use it. Instead, it’s all about Facebook Messenger, SMS, and/or Snapchat.
I assumed text messages (SMS) were outdated, and I felt the same about Facebook, since fewer people are using it around the world.
However, if you have ever asked a local for their "WhatsApp" and got a confused look and a suggestion to "find me on Facebook," you are not alone.
This doesn’t mean WhatsApp is never used, but it is mostly found among the international community. Foreigners use it to talk to each other and, most importantly, to keep in touch with family and friends back home.
As Norwegian student Marcus Antonsen Lowton explained in an interview with Studvest (the student newspaper in Bergen): "In Norway, I don’t know anyone who really uses WhatsApp, unless they’re talking to someone from abroad. I don’t even know if most Norwegians know what it is."
For many, it is simple. They use Messenger for family and friends, WhatsApp for non-Norwegian friends.
As one user on Reddit shared: "I only started using WhatsApp when I was dating a Dutch guy, and another friend married an American. That’s the only reason we got our friend group of eight onto it!"
Another user shared a similar experience: "I use Messenger with my family and WhatsApp with my friend group. The only reason we use WhatsApp is because a couple of us had foreign boyfriends in the past and got our non-Facebook-using friends onto it."
Norwegians even use Messenger and Facebook groups to discuss specific topics. As one online user shared: “Neighbor-related stuff (dugnad, walking the kids to school, special events) is commonly handled through FB Messenger or closed groups on FB.”
For those who aren't fans of social media, this can be a problem. Because Messenger is the standard, there is a social expectation that you must have a Facebook account.
As one user noted: "If you don't send me an SMS or call, you'll have a hard time getting hold of me. I have a Facebook account, but I log in very seldom... I wish I could just ditch it, but it is expected that one has a Facebook account and can be reached on Messenger."
The reason for this often comes down to how Norwegian society is organized.
As I have learned, many locals do not see the value in WhatsApp because they already have access to other communication methods and tools. For example, Lowton argued that WhatsApp is old-fashioned, since you can use ordinary phone functions for exactly the same thing.
Most Norwegian mobile plans have included unlimited messaging for years, meaning there was never a need to switch to another app.
The high number of iPhone users also means many people simply stick to Apple’s native iMessage tools.
Additionally, Facebook had a massive early impact on the country that remains visible today (however, it’s worth noting that many people nowadays don’t use the main Facebook app at all; they just use the standalone Messenger app).
Also, Norwegians can be a bit private when it comes to sharing contact info, something you need to do in order to use WhatsApp. This can explain why Facebook Messenger remains so popular, as it allows your personal phone number to stay a mystery.
READ MORE: All the essential phone apps you need for life in Norway in 2026
Snapchat
The other massive winner in Norway is Snapchat. While in many countries it is considered an app for teenagers, it seems that in Norway, people of all ages have embraced it.
According to users on digital platforms, everyone uses it. Lowton claims that in Norway, "probably 90 percent use it. Even grandmas use it. Everyone uses it."
He does not call it a "Snapchat culture," but it is much more common in Norway than in other countries.
In the workplace
You are more likely to see WhatsApp used in international companies or offices with people from many different countries.
In these global workplaces, WhatsApp is a common tool, especially if you have colleagues in other parts of the world.
However, if you work at a traditional Norwegian company, your colleagues will likely stick to Slack or Teams for professional talk and SMS for quick updates.
People rarely switch to personal apps unless you become close friends outside of the office.
READ ALSO: Don't sit next to a stranger! Norway’s unwritten public transport rules
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