Do you want to use WhatsApp on your computer? With the WhatsApp Web service, you can now access WhatsApp from your web browser. Additionally, you can also download and install a version of WhatsApp on your computer—essentially turning it into a standalone app. Here’s how to use either option.
Using WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web is a service that allows you to access your WhatsApp account from the comfort of your desktop or laptop computer. To use it, first go to web.whatsapp.com. Next, select the “WhatsApp Web” option on your smartphone’s menu. Here, you should see a QR code that you need to scan with your device’s camera. Once the code is scanned, you will be automatically logged into WhatsApp web. From here, you can view and respond to chats, send photos, make calls, and more.
Using the WhatsApp Desktop App
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If you would prefer to have a standalone WhatsApp app on your computer, then you can download and install the WhatsApp Desktop app. To download the app, simply go to www.whatsapp.com/download and select the appropriate version for your operating system.
Once the download is complete, click on the application and launch it. You should see a QR code on the screen that you need to scan with your device’s camera. After the code is scanned, you can access WhatsApp from your computer. As with WhatsApp web, you can use the app to view and respond to chats, send photos, make calls, and more.
Conclusion
Using WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp Desktop app makes it easy to access WhatsApp from your computer. When using either option, you can view and respond to chats, send photos, make calls, and more. So if you want to get the most out of WhatsApp on your computer, these two options offer the best of both worlds. 350
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Chat on your PC or Mac in the web and desktop versions of WhatsApp
Updated on December 27, 2022
Summary
- Download the WhatsApp mobile app. Next, visit WhatsApp Web, or download WhatsApp for Windows or Mac.
- Open the mobile app, and tap Chats. Then, tap the three vertical dots> WhatsApp Web.
- Next, scan the QR Code on the desktop or web client. When your messages appear on the computer, close the mobile app.
This article explains how to download and use WhatsApp on a computer. Instructions apply to WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop available for Mac OS X 10.9 and up, and Windows 8 and newer.
How to Use WhatsApp From a Computer
There’s a free web client that makes it possible to access WhatsApp on a computer from a web browser. There’s also a standalone WhatsApp desktop client for Windows and Mac.
If you don’t have the mobile app, download it on your phone before setting up WhatsApp on your computer. Once you’ve done that, visit WhatsApp Web, or download the desktop program from the WhatsApp download page. In the desktop version, select the download link that corresponds with your computer operating system (Windows or Mac).
Once opened, the process for setting up the WhatsApp desktop program and web client interface is the same:
Open WhatsApp on your phone.
Tap the Chats tab, then tap the three vertical dots to open a drop-down menu.
Tap WhatsApp Web.
Scan the QR Code on the desktop or web client with your phone’s camera.
The WhatsApp client opens immediately and shows the messages you have on your phone. Close WhatsApp on your phone and use it from your computer.
Your phone must remain connected to the internet while you use the WhatsApp web client. The application syncs directly with your mobile device, so a Wi-Fi connection is necessary to avoid data charges.
WhatsApp Web Vs. WhatsApp Desktop
WhatsApp Desktop is a robust program made for users accustomed to using WhatsApp. It supports keyboard shortcuts while chatting, and notifications can be sent directly to your desktop.
WhatsApp Web is easier if you’re new to the program. All you have to do is log in to the WhatsApp website from any browser. Your messages instantly appear no matter which computer you use, where it is, and whether it’s public or private. Both versions of WhatsApp let you send pictures and other types of files just like the mobile version.
WhatsApp can accommodate up to 8 users. If you need to include more people, Zoom can handle up to 1,000 participants at a time. Skype has a 50-person limit, and Facebook Rooms allows 50 people at a time. None of these competitors, however, offer end-to-end encryption like WhatsApp does.
WhatsApp Desktop and Web Features
The web and desktop versions of WhatsApp allow you to browse your hard drive for photos, videos, and documents that you can send through the chat interface. If your computer has a webcam, you can access it directly in the interface to take a photo that you can send in chat. Select the paperclip in the upper-right corner of the chat window to reveal a drop-down menu.
Another feature unique to WhatsApp Desktop is voice messages. Start a recording by selecting the microphone in the lower-right corner of the interface.
Limitations of WhatsApp Desktop and Web
A few WhatsApp features that are available on a mobile device are not available on a computer. For example, the desktop version doesn’t have the option to invite people from your address book to join WhatsApp. In addition, you can’t share your location or a map.
Also, you can have either WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop open at any given time, but having both open automatically shuts down the program that’s not currently in use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I download videos from WhatsApp Web?
To save videos to your computer from WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, open the conversation that has the video you want to download and select the video to open it. Then, select the Download button (the down arrow) to save it.
How do I block someone on WhatsApp?
To block someone on WhatsApp, go to Settings> Account> Privacy> Blocked contacts> Add. Select a contact to add them to the blocked list. To unblock a contact, swipe left on the contact (iOS) or tap and choose Unblock (Android).
Who owns WhatsApp?
Meta (formerly Facebook, Inc.) owns WhatsApp. Instagram is also owned by Meta.
Why is WhatsApp Web not working?
If WhatsApp Web isn’t working, clear your browser cache and set up WhatsApp Web again to re-establish the connection. If WhatsApp Web works in the browser’s private mode, but not in regular mode, the issue is probably a browser extension. Disable every browser extension, and then re-enable them one by one until you find the problem.
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