What's the best Android app for staying connected with friends and family through free messaging, voice calls, and video calls, especially internationally?

WhatsApp Messenger is a popular choice for staying connected with friends and family because it offers free messaging, voice calls, and video calls over the internet, which is particularly useful for international communication, avoiding SMS and call charges. You can easily send text messages, photos, videos, and documents to individuals or groups. To start a call, simply open a chat with the person you want to call and tap the call button (voice) or video button (video). One of WhatsApp's strengths is its cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to connect with users on Android and iOS devices. The app also offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring your conversations remain private and secure. For those concerned about data usage, WhatsApp provides options to reduce data consumption during calls. Group chats can host up to 256 participants, making it suitable for family or friend groups. Recent updates have also lengthened the duration of status videos, improving user experience.