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How to Use WhatsApp in Your Web Browser

by on May 10, 2021
in Tips & How-Tos, Computers and Software, Internet & Networking :: 0 comments

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While WhatsApp is a messaging service designed primarily for smartphones, you can use WhatsApp in your browser on your 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. Open your web browser on your computer and go to web.whatsapp.com (all major browsers are supported, including Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, and Opera). 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).

WhatsApp Android app with the triple dots for the menu pointed out and the WhatsApp iOS app with the cog for Settings pointed out.

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 Web page from step 2 above. The QR code automatically links your phone’s WhatsApp account to WhatsApp Web.

WhatsApp Web screenshot showing QR code for pairing with a smartphone

8. Now, you should see your WhatsApp conversations in your browser.

WhatsApp Web list of chats and message to keep your phone connected to receive messages.

WhatsApp Web 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 WhatsApp Web in one browser at a time.

[Image credit: blue 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.


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