There’s a way to send WhatsApp messages from your computer or tablet, even if the app is only for smartphones. Here’s how you do it.
It is no surprise that WhatsApp Web is the messaging app of choice for many smartphone users, considering it is used by more than a billion people every day, but when your battery runs out. You do not have your phone with you, you could suddenly be isolated and unable to access your messages.
By logging into WhatsApp on a computer, however, you can ensure that you are always reachable, especially at work.
Using Android virtualization software, it is possible to install WhatsApp on a tablet, and perhaps on a computer as well, but it is not something we recommend.
WhatsApp can only run on one device at a time, so to have separate instances on your phone and tablet you need to have two separate accounts. Besides the fact that your contacts won’t know which account to reach you on, you also need a unique phone number for each account.
With WhatsApp Web, users can not only read and respond to messages on any device but also send and receive photos and videos and Using it is free, and it only takes a few minutes to set up, after which you stay logged in until you log out.
We’ll walk you through the short process below.
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WhatsApp Web can be accessed on any PC or laptop using a web browser
- Launch WhatsApp on your smartphone, then tap the three dots icon and select WhatsApp Web.
- To launch your smartphone camera, tap the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
- Go to web.whatsapp.com on the device you want to use to access WhatsApp. In fact, if you want to access it from your tablet, it will work with Safari on the iPad as well.
- A QR code should now appear on your tablet or computer screen; point your phone at it to make the connection.
You will automatically launch WhatsApp Web in your browser, and it will remain active until you log out either on your computer or on your phone.
For instance, on your phone, you can tap the three dots icon at the top of the conversation thread and then tap ‘Log out’, or on your PC, you can click ‘Log out’ at the top of the conversation thread.
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How to install WhatsApp Web
The desktop client version of WhatsApp brings extra functionality such as full notification support for desktop chatters, rather than just accessing the service through the browser. WhatsApp Web is the easier option if you use it every day. You can download it from whatsapp.com/download right now.
Download the installer file to your computer by clicking the green Download button. Install the file once it has been downloaded (usually in your Downloads folder).
Using the Windows installer is the best option, and you can also drag the WhatsApp icon into your Applications folder on the Mac.
Once you launch the WhatsApp desktop app, you’ll see a nearly identical WhatsApp Web interface. In the browser version, you’ll be asked to scan a QR code, so choose WhatsApp Web from the settings menu on your phone. A QR code will appear onscreen, so point the phone’s camera at it.
As with the browser app, the desktop app will keep you logged into WhatsApp until you choose to log out.
That’s about it! You’ll then be able to chat with your WhatsApp buddies while you’re on your PC or laptop, complete with the ability to send and receive media and more.
