i'd like to run whatsapp on the nexus7

My suggestion is to use Google Voice, and not 'port in' your phone number. You would have a secondary phone number that can be access everywhere there is Internet access.

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i do not have an existing text plan. does that shut me out?

i've done this before, but it was 2 years ago and i've forgotten

crwdns2934271:0Kul 30, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Len Gorsky crwdne2934271:0

Correct. WhatsApp needs to send you a real text first to verify your phone number. As I suggested, since you have a Google account, simply use Google Voice, it will provide a number where people can text you. You can use HangOuts App or the Google Voice app to text to real phone numbers.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 30, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 S W crwdne2934271:0

HangOuts? Hangouts is more like it.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 30, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 George A. crwdne2934271:0

ok. i've installed google voice. where do i go from here?

crwdns2934271:0Kul 31, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Len Gorsky crwdne2934271:0

Go to https://voice.google.com/ and associate your google account with it. It will let you choose a number.

crwdns2934271:0Kul 31, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 S W crwdne2934271:0

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i do not have an existing text plan. does that shut me out?

i've done this before, but it was 2 years ago and i've forgotten — Len Gorsky
Correct. WhatsApp needs to send you a real text first to verify your phone number. As I suggested, since you have a Google account, simply use Google Voice, it will provide a number where people can text you. You can use HangOuts App or the Google Voice app to text to real phone numbers. — S W
Go to https://voice.google.com/ and associate your google account with it. It will let you choose a number. — S W