Explained: How to use WhatsApp and WhatsApp web on Computer

WhatsApp has always kept up the good work and comes up with a useful package that makes them maintain their leading position. 

WhatsApp web is one of the rich updates that blooms the outgrowth in the number of WhatsApp users. It's a welcome development for many people as the extension of its accessibility from single-device usage (mobile phones) to multi-device technique will surely facilitate the usage of this requisite social media app. 

There are two ways you can use WhatsApp on your Computer/PC/Mac 1. WhatsApp desktop and 2.WhatsApp web. 

In this article, we are going to observe how to use both two methods in detail. Let's start with... 

What is WhatsApp Desktop 

This is a computer application you can download from the Microsoft Store, apple store, or WhatsApp websites to your computer, and use without applying any web browser. 

If you have an operating system starting from Windows 8.1 to above or macOS 10.11 and up you can use the WhatsApp desktop app on your computer or laptop or Mac respectively. Otherwise, you will resort to using WhatsApp web which is available for all operating systems. A couple of times, we're going to break down how to use WhatsApp Web on a PC.

How to download the WhatsApp desktop app on a computer

Visit whatsapp.com/download/  or Microsoft Store, or Apple Store and download the WhatsApp desktop app in .exe or .dmg file format. 

Once downloaded, open your PC file explorer and install it. 

You can sign in with your previous phone number and use WhatsApp on both your mobile phone and PC. 

Doesn't your computer meet the requirements to use the above-mentioned? OK don't worry, we have the second option that is usable in all operating systems, also applicable to desktops, laptops, tablets, and Mac devices. Just add a little patience and remain with me for the second journey. Continuing with... 

What is WhatsApp web

What does this refer to? WhatsApp web is a computer version of WhatsApp with an interface that allows a user to use WhatsApp on desktops, laptops, tablets, or Macs devices. 

A user can link any kind of computer with the mobile WhatsApp and use it on both mobile phones and PC. 

In this article, we are going to observe how to link your WhatsApp app to your computer devices and how to use it as a PC edition. 

How to use WhatsApp Web on a computer 

Before we start using WhatsApp web on a computer, we must first link them together. This can be done in a short amount of time. Let's break it down for proper understanding. 

Link  WhatsApp with a computer device

We have three stages for linking WhatsApp and PC. 

First stage: WhatsApp web set up on a computer. 

On your computer, open any web browser like Chrome and type web.whatsapp.com in the search bar. 

You will be prompted to the screen with a WhatsApp web QR code. 

Hang on till you are done with the second stage.  

Second stage: WhatsApp app set up on the mobile phone

1. Open the WhatsApp app on your mobile phone. 
2. Tap the three vertical dots on the top right. 
3. Tap the linked devices option.
4. Tap the link device button. 

5. Enter your device password or fingerprint to confirm your ownership. 

Final stage: scan the WhatsApp web QR code

Once you put the phone password, you will be prompted with the screen asking you to scan a QR code on the device you want to link to. 

 

Point your phone camera and scan the QR code shown on the computer. 

Once you scan the QR code, all your WhatsApp data will be prompt and ready for use on your PC. 

You may want to Read: How to create a QR code using your phone [in 3 easy ways]

Now as you successfully linked your WhatsApp to the computer, the next stage is to start using it. Here we come to the implementation aspect of the article. Stay with me a little more, it's not enough for now, but there is more to learn from this article, continuing with... 

How to use WhatsApp Web on a computer? 

Except for certain features (voice and video calls), you can use WhatsApp web to make anything you do with your mobile WhatsApp app. 

Since you've just linked your device, I deemed to catch up with you for a little bit of time to understand how to use some essential features of this technology. 

Start chatting

The first time you log into the WhatsApp web app on your desktop or laptop, the dashboard is divided into two parts (right and left side). 

The right section consists of a chat gallery, it displays the previous and ongoing dialogue that is being exchanged. 

While the left section comprises the chat lists. Your profile picture appears at the top left, you can click to edit your profile. 

The four icons in the top left stand for community, status update, and new chat, and three vertical dots for account settings. 

Navigate to any person you want to chat with and click on his name. 

Once you click, the chat box will open in the right section, and the recent chat history that you have made on your mobile phone WhatsApp will be synchronized and displayed. 

Start your new chat 

You can perform all kinds of chatting on your desktop/laptop or Mac as you used to do in your mobile WhatsApp app, except voice and video calls, those two features are yet to be provided in the WhatsApp web app. 

You can still make a voice record, and send texts, images, documents, emojis, etc. 

Keyboard shortcuts 

This is a special feature that is available on the WhatsApp web app, a user can use his computer keyboard as a shortcut to perform a particular task in WhatsApp. The examples below will afford you a clear interpretation. 

Ctr+Alt+N >>>> New chat 

Ctr+Alt+Backspace >>>> Delete chat 

Ctr+Alt+, >>>> Settings 

Escape >>>> Close chat 

Ctr+Alt+Shift+U >>> Mark as unread 

Find the rest of the keyboard shortcuts in the screenshot below. 

 

Can WhatsApp web use without a phone 

The answer to this question has two opponent faces ( YES and NO).

It is YES if you previously linked your mobile phone WhatsApp with the computer, as well as if you didn't log out. 

If this was your case, you can use WhatsApp web without a phone anywhere and at any time just like how you use it alone on your mobile phone, as long as you have an internet connection on your computer. 

Pro Tip: linking your WhatsApp to the computer will not forbid you from using it on your mobile phone. You can even use both of them at the same time without any interruption. 

The second portion of the answer (NO). That's you can not use WhatsApp web without a phone if you did not link it to any devices before, or if you log out after linking them unless otherwise, you reconnect it with any other devices. 

How to Logout from WhatsApp web 

When you log out you will no longer use WhatsApp Web on your desktop or laptop unless you link them again. 

You can log out in two ways 

1. Using your WhatsApp mobile app 

Click the three dots in the top right and tap on linked devices.  

Under device status, tap the browser you used to sign in and select logout. 

2. log out directly from the PC 

In your WhatsApp web dashboard tap three vertical dots.

Then tap logout in the drop-down menu. 

How to Install WhatsApp web app on a PC 

The WhatsApp web app is available as a Chrome extension on all kinds of operating systems. 

After you successfully linked your WhatsApp to a PC using the Chrome web browser you can install the computer app which you can access easily without using any web browser. 

How can this be done? 

Like I said before, you only install it after linking WhatsApp to your PC. 

Have you done so? OK let's proceed to the installation. 

In your Chrome browser look at the right corner in the top navigation bar. 

Do you see something like a small arrow inside the PC logo? OK if you can't locate it, look at the image below. 

I am sure you see it now. So click on it and select install. 

Just wait a moment for the download to finish. 

Once done, you will find a WhatsApp web app in the list of your computer programs, and subsequently, it will create a shortcut on your desktop. 

Is WhatsApp web safe 

Using the WhatsApp web on a computer is as safe as using the ordinary WhatsApp app on mobile phones. All the data transmission are end to end encrypted, no one including WhatsApp teams can see or listen to what goes on between you. Voice or video calls, images, texts, documents, and voice messages all are private. So no one can read or listen to them. 

Any other activities like location sharing and status updates are end-to-end encrypted.

Bottom Line 

This piece of note may not cover or give a full answer to your queries, if you notice any suggestions or have any questions regarding using WhatsApp desktop or WhatsApp web on a computer feel free to drop them in the comments section. 

Remember to share for others' benefit.

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