WhatsApp has a lot of cool features, and probably one of the best is WhatsApp web. Most messaging services (including your default texts) won’t work on any device other than your phone, at least not without some complicated setup.
Well, WhatsApp isn’t like that. It natively supports a web-browser-based service as well. Setting it up can be done in just a few short minutes, and then all you need to do is make sure that your phone stays connected to a network to use WhatsApp on any computer of your choice! It works with just about any browser, but we recommend Chrome or Vivaldi for best compatibility.
Here’s how to set it up:
First, you need to open your browser and type https://web.whatsapp.com/ into your URL bar. You can also click on this link, or copy the text to a new tab. When you’ve done so, you’ll see a list of simple instructions next to a QR code. Leave this page open.
Next, you’ll need to grab your phone and open WhatsApp. If you are on Android, tap the three dots in the top right-corner and navigate to WhatsApp Web. If you use an Apple phone, tap on the cogwheel in the bottom right corner instead, and scroll down to WhatsApp Web.
Tap the option, then the plus in the top right corner, and your camera will open up. Point your phone at the QR code (or press the reload button if it has expired) and wait for the camera to scan the code. This may well take a few seconds. When it’s done, both your phone screen and the browser window will change.
Tip: WhatsApp Web uses the same security and end-to-end encryption that regular WhatsApp does. Your login is unique, the QR code won’t work a second time, and you can only have one window of it open at one time. You can also log out both from your phone and your browser, so you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing your chats without your permission!
On your phone, you’ll see a list of current logins (if this is your first time using WhatsApp Web, there will only be one entry). And on your browser, you’ll see a list of your chats the same way it is on your phone.
Tip: if instead of your chats you see this notice:
Simply click the ‘Use Here’ button – it means that you were logged in somewhere else.
You can use the browser version just like the mobile version, but with a few differences.
- You can’t make or accept calls in WhatsApp Web, only on your phone.
- You also can’t directly record voice messages, although you can send pre-recorded sound files like any other file.
- You need to keep your phone connected to a network at all times, or the service won’t work.
- You will only receive notifications in one service – so if WhatsApp Web is open, your phone won’t buzz, and vice versa.
Did this help? Let us know!