WhatsApp is a service that is designed to be used primarily on your smartphone. However, WhatsApp is also easy to use on your computer using the WhatsApp Desktop app for Windows PC or Mac. Here’s how.
1. Make sure you have a WhatsApp account on your phone and you are logged in. If you don’t have a WhatsApp account, you can download WhatsApp for iOS or Android and create an account.
2. Download and install WhatsApp for Windows 10 (WhatsApp for Windows 8 and Windows 10 32-bit is also available) or WhatsApp for Max OS X 10.10 and higher. You'll see a QR code that you will need in step 7 below.
3. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
4. In WhatsApp, go to Menu for Android phone (triple dots) or Settings for iPhones (cog icon).
5. Select WhatsApp Web for Android or WhatsApp Web/Desktop for iPhone.
6.Select Link a Device
7. Use your phone’s camera to view the QR code in the WhatsApp Desktop app from step 2 above.. The QR code automatically links your phone’s WhatsApp account to WhatsApp Desktop.
8. Now, you should see your WhatsApp conversations in the Desktop app on your computer.
WhatsApp Desktop uses your phone to sync messages, so will only receive messages on your computer when your phone is on and logged into WhatsApp. Also, you can only be logged in to the WhatsApp Desktop app on one computer.
[Image credit: rose gold laptop with WhatsApp icon via BigStockPhoto, screenshots via Techlicious]
For the past 20+ years, Suzanne Kantra has been exploring and writing about the world’s most exciting and important science and technology issues. Ten years ago, she founded Techlicious, which serves the role of that tech-savvy friend you can count on to share tips and tricks to get the most out of technology; whether that’s saving time in our hectic schedules, discovering new ways to enjoy our personal interests, or keeping up with the latest technology trends and styles. Before that, Suzanne was the Technology Editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, where she hosted the radio show “Living with Technology." Previously, she served as Technology Editor for Popular Science Magazine. She has been featured on CNN, CBS, and NBC.