One of the most widely used platforms for international internet communication is WhatsApp, a messaging service owned by Facebook.
The video/voice calling and chat application WhatsApp Messenger is available for iOS and Android devices as WhatsApp Web.
Both a system programme that can be downloaded for Mac and Windows and a browser-based version of WhatsApp are available for desktop users.
As extensions of your mobile WhatsApp account, WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop allow you to access chats on any device, regardless of where the discussion was started.
All messages are synchronised between your phone and PC. Here, we’ll explain how to use the WhatsApp browser extension.
In iOS 14 and iOS 15, the procedure and user interface are the same. The Android 12 interface is identical to that of the previous iteration.
How to use WhatsApp Web for iOS 15
It’s simple to use WhatsApp on iOS 15; simply adhere to these instructions.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp Web by clicking on its URL in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, or Edge, then use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the website.
When you log out of WhatsApp on your computer or phone, WhatsApp Web instantly starts up in the browser and continues to function.
Step 2: Visit the WhatsApp website to connect WhatsApp Web with the app on your smartphone.
Step 3: Open WhatsApp on your Android or iPhone smartphone.
Step 4: Open WhatsApp on your phone and scan the QR code that displays on the website.
Step 5: Choose Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop on the iPhone.
Step 6: To link your phone, choose Scan QR Code and hold your phone near the code.
How to use WhatsApp for Android 12
Here are the steps to do after visiting the WhatsApp website on your computer for Android 12:
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on an Android phone and click the three dots in the Chat pane’s top right corner.
The second step is to choose Linked devices and then Link a device.
Step 3: To link your phone with your computer, hold it up to the QR code there.
Step 4: The online version of the app is now connected to your smartphone account.
Step 5: From there, you may use the desktop browser on your computer to send and receive messages.
WhatsApp Web capabilities
You may check your WhatsApp conversation history right on the website after scanning the QR code.
You may begin a conversation with a contact by clicking on their name on the left-hand side of the screen to see your chat history, if you saved it.
Three icons are included on the Web page’s upper left: Status, New conversation, and Menu, which provides a series of nested choices.
The Status option displays all status updates made by your contacts, and you may react in the reply box at the bottom of the window.
The contacts list on the left side of the screen is shown when you click New chat. From this point, you may start a discussion or a new group.
You may start a new group, edit your personal information, browse through old conversations, read starred messages, alter notification and chat background settings, or log out using the three-dot menu.
Sending messages
The WhatsApp Web interface is just as user-friendly as the mobile app.
Step 1: From your desktop, pick the contact you want to communicate with by clicking on the icon for a new conversation or a chat that is already open.
If the previous talks were preserved, you may see them here. If not, you can view the message bar at the bottom.
Step 2: Click the “Type a message” button to open the chat window.
Step 3: Once your message is complete, press the Enter key on your keyboard to send it, or simply click the Send symbol.
Step 4: Click the paper clip Attach symbol at the bottom of the active conversation to attach files from your desktop and send them like you would any other message. This will include documents, photos, and audio.
How to access WhatsApp Web or the desktop app
On a PC or Mac, there are two methods to access your WhatsApp account:
Use the web application. Open a web browser and go to web.whatsapp.com.
Use the desktop application. On your Mac or Windows computer, download the WhatsApp desktop application from the WhatsApp download website.
How to set up and use WhatsApp Web or the desktop app
- A QR code ought to be visible on your computer after you’ve launched the website or installed and used the desktop application.
- Open WhatsApp on your mobile device.
- Select Setting. Settings are located in the bottom right corner of the screen for iPhones, but on Android, you must first hit the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of the screen before selecting Settings from the drop-down menu.
- Tap the QR code symbol that is located next to your account name.
- Prepare to scan the QR code on the display. Press Scan at the bottom of the page on an iPhone; tap the Scan Code tab at the top of the screen on an Android device.
- Scan the QR code in WhatsApp on your computer using the camera on your phone.
- If you’re using WhatsApp for the first time on a computer, you’ll get the Device Login Detected pop-up. After selecting Continue, choose Link a Device.
See our guide to the well-known messaging software WhatsApp for a breakdown of all the numerous ways to use it.
How WhatsApp Web differs from the mobile app
Once you’ve connected your computer and mobile app, the web app or desktop app should display your WhatsApp Chats page.
Your actions on either the PC or the mobile app will be reflected and maintained in sync on the other device. You’ll see new messages in bold and get a computer notice as they arrive.
To respond from your computer, just click any discussion.
On the PC, WhatsApp also provides the following features:
To edit your profile information, including your display name and About message, click your own account icon.
To manage your interactions with a person, click any of their contact icons. For instance, you may mute alerts, make an audio or video call, ban or report the person, and erase the conversation.
Additionally, you can read highlighted messages and start a new conversation, including a new group chat, at the top of the window.
Using WhatsApp Web or the desktop app has a number of important benefits. In order to copy and paste information into chat conversations, you may have WhatsApp open on the screen alongside other windows if that makes it simpler to text.
And by simply opening them in other WhatsApp Web browser windows, you may effortlessly log into several WhatsApp accounts at once.
However, keep in mind that you will always need your phone to sign in to WhatsApp on a computer – WhatsApp Web cannot be used without your mobile app.