It got steam because it was one of the first ways to technically “chat for free” even if it had a price tag at first. Most countries had unlimited data but still billed people for every sms sent. Whatsapp introduced the concept of an app solely to chat with others through their phones for free/a one time fee forever.

By now it has reached critical mass and its basically impossible to get people to migrate anywhere else. Everyone would have to change apps at the same time.

People don’t really see any particular appeal in WA, its just the default now even if its just meh. Sadly.