This article explains how to download and use WhatsApp on a computer. Instructions apply to WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop available for Mac OS X 10.9 and up, and Windows 8 and newer.

What to Know

  • Download the WhatsApp mobile app. Next, visit WhatsApp Web, or download WhatsApp for Windows or Mac.
  • Open the mobile app, and tap Chats. Then, tap the three vertical dots > WhatsApp Web.
  • Next, scan the QR Code on the desktop or web client. When your messages appear on the computer, close the mobile app.

How to Use WhatsApp From a Computer

There’s a free web client that makes it possible to access WhatsApp on a computer from a web browser. There’s also a standalone WhatsApp desktop client for Windows and Mac.

If you don’t have the mobile app, download it on your phone before setting up WhatsApp on your computer. Once you’ve done that, visit WhatsApp Web, or download the desktop program from the WhatsApp download page. In the desktop version, select the download link that corresponds with your computer operating system (Windows or Mac).

Once opened, the process for setting up the WhatsApp desktop program and web client interface is the same:

  • Open WhatsApp on your phone.
  • Tap the Chats tab, then tap the three vertical dots to open a drop-down menu.
  • Tap WhatsApp Web.
  • Scan the QR Code on the desktop or web client with your phone’s camera.
  • The WhatsApp client opens immediately and shows the messages you have on your phone. Close WhatsApp on your phone and use it from your computer.

WhatsApp Web Vs. WhatsApp Desktop

WhatsApp Desktop is a robust program made for users accustomed to using WhatsApp. It supports keyboard shortcuts while chatting, and notifications can be sent directly to your desktop.

Open WhatsApp on your phone.

Tap the Chats tab, then tap the three vertical dots to open a drop-down menu.

Tap WhatsApp Web.

Scan the QR Code on the desktop or web client with your phone’s camera.

The WhatsApp client opens immediately and shows the messages you have on your phone. Close WhatsApp on your phone and use it from your computer.

Your phone must remain connected to the internet while you use the WhatsApp web client. The application syncs directly with your mobile device, so a Wi-Fi connection is necessary to avoid data charges.

WhatsApp Web is easier if you’re new to the program. All you have to do is log in to the WhatsApp website from any browser. Your messages instantly appear no matter which computer you use, where it is, and whether it’s public or private. Both versions of WhatsApp let you send pictures and other types of files just like the mobile version.

WhatsApp Desktop and Web Features

The web and desktop versions of WhatsApp allow you to browse your hard drive for photos, videos, and documents that you can send through the chat interface. If your computer has a webcam, you can access it directly in the interface to take a photo that you can send in chat. Select the paperclip in the upper-right corner of the chat window to reveal a drop-down menu.

WhatsApp can accommodate up to 8 users. If you need to include more people, Zoom can handle up to 1,000 participants at a time. Skype has a 50-person limit, and Facebook Rooms allows 50 people at a time. None of these competitors, however, offer end-to-end encryption like WhatsApp does.

Another feature unique to WhatsApp Desktop is voice messages. Start a recording by selecting the microphone in the lower-right corner of the interface.

Limitations of WhatsApp Desktop and Web

A few WhatsApp features that are available on a mobile device are not available on a computer. For example, the desktop version doesn’t have the option to invite people from your address book to join WhatsApp. In addition, you can’t share your location or a map.

Also, you can have either WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop open at any given time, but having both open automatically shuts down the program that’s not currently in use.

  • How do I download videos from WhatsApp Web?
  • To save videos to your computer from WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, open the conversation that has the video you want to download and select the video to open it. Then, select the Download button (the down arrow) to save it.
  • How do I block someone on WhatsApp?
  • To block someone on WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts > Add. Select a contact to add them to the blocked list. To unblock a contact, swipe left on the contact (iOS) or tap and choose Unblock (Android).
  • Who owns WhatsApp?
  • Meta (formerly Facebook, Inc.) owns WhatsApp. Instagram is also owned by Meta.
  • Why is WhatsApp Web not working?
  • If WhatsApp Web isn’t working, clear your browser cache and set up WhatsApp Web again to re-establish the connection. If WhatsApp Web works in the browser’s private mode, but not in regular mode, the issue is probably a browser extension. Disable every browser extension, and then re-enable them one by one until you find the problem.

To save videos to your computer from WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, open the conversation that has the video you want to download and select the video to open it. Then, select the Download button (the down arrow) to save it.

To block someone on WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts > Add. Select a contact to add them to the blocked list. To unblock a contact, swipe left on the contact (iOS) or tap and choose Unblock (Android).

Meta (formerly Facebook, Inc.) owns WhatsApp. Instagram is also owned by Meta.

If WhatsApp Web isn’t working, clear your browser cache and set up WhatsApp Web again to re-establish the connection. If WhatsApp Web works in the browser’s private mode, but not in regular mode, the issue is probably a browser extension. Disable every browser extension, and then re-enable them one by one until you find the problem.

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