Most people use WhatsApp on their phone, but did you know that the popular chat service is also available on your PC or laptop? We explain why you want to use WhatsApp Web and also how the chat service works in your browser.
How do I use WhatsApp on my laptop?
- Go to this web.whatsapp.com or download WhatsApp for your laptop or computer
- On your phone, go to: WhatsApp / Menu / Connected Devices (formerly Whatsapp Web) and scan the QR code
- You can now send messages to anyone in your contacts using your computer. Remember that your phone must always be connected to the internet.
Why WhatsApp on your PC?
There are many reasons why you want to use WhatsApp Web. This way, you can easily type your messages on your keyboard; this would undoubtedly work much better than your smartphone screen. Especially with long messages.
You can also switch between conversations more easily and leave WhatsApp open on your computer while you’re at work.
Another advantage is that you have direct access to the files on your computer. If you want to send photos or videos from your PC, you can do so directly through the desktop version of the chat application. And vice versa: You can immediately save videos and photos you receive from others to your PC.
You can use it on up to four devices via WhatsApp Web. Your phone doesn’t need to be online to continue using WhatsApp. The option to remember four devices is currently still in beta.
Since last year you can also make (video) calls on the computer version of WhatsApp. This is currently only possible one-on-one, but later you’ll be able to make group calls as well as possible on the mobile version of the app. At the top of the screen, you will find two icons, a camera and a phone, with which you can make direct calls.
WhatsApp Web has also become even more secure. The popular chat service, in collaboration with Cloudfare, recently introduced a browser extension called Code Verify. Code Verify is an additional layer of security that takes advantage of a browser’s sub-resource integrity. This component checks whether the resources a browser downloads have been altered in any way and are therefore safe to use. In another article, we’ll take a detailed look at Code Verify.
Step 01: Pairing
First, check if your phone has the latest version of WhatsApp and update it if necessary. Then open the browser on your Windows, Linux or Mac computer and go to https://web.whatsapp.com. Note that only Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera are currently supported. To connect your computer and phone, WhatsApp generates a QR code. use the green button Click to reload QR code To see the code On your phone go to: WhatsApp / Menu / Paired Devices (formerly WhatsApp Web) and scan the code. Then you will immediately see a list of the most recent conversations on your computer.
Step 02: Send via computer
WhatsApp Web connects to your phone to sync messages. That is, when you sign in for the first time, your phone should still be nearby, left on, and connected to the internet over Wi-Fi or cellular. Basically WhatsApp Web works just like the app. You can select a conversation in the left column or start a new one. You can just type or use emoji. You can even record and send voice messages by giving access to your computer’s microphone. To do this, click on the button with the microphone in the lower right part of the screen. You can send a photo or start the webcam with the button with the paper clip at the top.
What’s new with WhatsApp Web is that you can remember up to four devices (and one phone). After pairing a device, your phone no longer needs to be online if you want to use WhatsApp on your computer.
Step 03: Desktop Notifications
With WhatsApp Web, you can chat undisturbed (at work!) without having to strum your phone all the time. Your smartphone can even stay in your bag or pocket if you enable desktop notifications as well. In the upper left corner of the browser, Enable desktop notifications and click in the popup window OK, got it† then click To let You can now minimize the browser at the top of the bar to receive notifications. You will receive a subtle notification on your desktop as soon as a new message arrives.
Secure WhatsApp
While the risk of your WhatsApp account falling into the hands of hackers is small, it doesn’t hurt to protect your account as well as possible. This can be done through two-step verification, a method that requires two steps to log into your account. Usually, you don’t need to sign in in two steps each time, but only when you sign in from a different device than usual. You can read how to set it up in this article.
It is also important to be careful when using the app. Make sure you don’t click on links you don’t trust, especially if those links are sent by people you don’t know.
Bonus Tip: Multiple Accounts and Multiple Computers
You can also log in to multiple computers at the same time with WhatsApp Web. On the computer you want to connect to, go to web.whatsapp.com and on your mobile, in the window with all your chats Menu– or Settings button† Click now †-Click at the top right corner of your phone screen, select Paired devices and scan the QR code on your PC. You are now logged on to both computers. Note: You can only use one of two (or more) computers at a time.
The reverse is also possible: in WhatsApp you can use two phone numbers at the same time, but then you need two different browsers. Unfortunately, you cannot use both versions of the desktop version on your PC or Mac unless you install them on multiple accounts. It is possible to use the desktop version in addition to WhatsApp Web. So you can even practice yourself!
Is WhatsApp desktop or web.whatsapp.com?
WhatsApp Web can therefore be used in two different ways. Via browser or an app. The operation of both variants is quite similar. Which variant should you choose? If you are working on your own desktop or laptop, it is best to install WhatsApp on your PC. Select the web version if you are using a public computer or someone else’s computer. Don’t forget to log out when you’re done. If you forgot this, you can also do it via the app on your smartphone. Press the three dots in the upper right corner, select Paired deviceslocate the device, click it, and then Sign out†
Windows 11 may be very similar to Windows 10, but there are many changes under the hood. in this lesson Get started with Windows 11 You’ll learn the basics of this version of Windows from Tech Academy!
WhatsApp on PC and Mac
WhatsApp is now also available as an official program for PCs (Windows 8 or higher) and Macs. You can download the desktop version from whatsapp.com/download. Please note: In principle the version on your PC works the same as the web version: you still need to connect your smartphone and you always need an internet connection on your phone.
You can find more useful WhatsApp tips in this article.
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Source: Computer Totaal
