WhatsApp Web and Desktop give you all the features of the messaging app, with the convenience of a full-size keyboard and screen.
WhatsApp is the instant messaging app of choice for many smartphone users, but you can suddenly find yourself disconnected without access to your messages when your battery is dead or you don’t have your phone to handle? However, by logging into WhatsApp on a computer, you can ensure that you are always contactable, especially while you’re at work.
Well, there’s more than one way to do this, so you can try it out and choose the one that works best. Desktop apps are available for both Windows and macOS, but if you don’t want to use that there’s also a web-based version of WhatsApp. Also, WhatsApp Web is a great option if you use Linux or Chrome OS and don’t have the luxury of a dedicated program.
Whatever path you go down, the experience is very close, and the way the mobile version of WhatsApp operates is not very far away. So, let’s look and see how to get started with WhatsApp Web.
Download the desktop app
You need to make sure that you have WhatsApp installed and working properly on your iPhone or Android phone before you get started – if you don’t have it yet, you can grab the app from the App Store or Google Play! You will need to download the desktop app for either Windows or macOs with this completed, and you will find download links on the WhatsApp website. WhatsApp Mobile is now available for download from Windows Store or Mac App Store.
Connect to phone
Whether you’re downloading the software from a store, or directly from WhatsApp, you’ll need to connect to your phone once you’ve enabled and activated WhatsApp Desktop – you don’t sign in as you might assume. You’ll be greeted with a QR code when you open the device on your machine for the first time.
Open WhatsApp on your computer, tap the menu setting for three dots, and pick WhatsApp Internet. Point the QR code to your phone camera and you’ll be logged into your account.
WhatsApp on the web
In the previous step, you will have noticed that the menu option you use for connecting to your account is called WhatsApp Web rather than WhatsApp Desktop. This is because there’s also a website which allows you to use WhatsApp in a web browser desktop.
It functions much the same way as the mobile version, and by going to https:/web.whatsapp.com you can find that. The method of configuring and using the chat tool’s Site and Mobile edition is the same.
Finding contacts
As soon as you scan the QR code, your phone will be synchronised with the WhatsApp Desktop (or WhatsApp Web) and you will see the same contacts and messages on your computer as you can. You can start a conversation already under way by clicking on your contact’s name in the list to the left.
If you are unable to see the person you are searching for, or if you want to start a conversation with someone new, type the name in the search bar and click on it in the results.
Sending messages
With a contact selected, messaging is a direct matter of writing in the text box to the lower right of the window and hitting Enter. If you hover over a message to your mouse, you can access a menu that allows you to forward, star, or respond to a particular message.
You will find it much easier to type with your computer keyboard than the touchscreen of your phone and you will still have access to extras like emoji and GIFs. To adorn your messages, press the smiley face button on the left of the message box and you’ll find a range of emoji, GIFs, and stickers. You can either browse through what’s available or use the search box to find things instantly.
Sending files and pictures
You are not limited in your messages to text only; WhatsApp Desktop also lets you send files. Click on the paperclip icon at the top right of a chat, and you can choose between original attachment styles. The ‘Images & Videos’ icon allows you to select files you have already saved on your hard drive, but you can use the camera button to take new shots. You also have the option to submit documents from the attachment menu (any other file), or contact information.
Chats With group and audio messages
Just as on your phone, you can use group chats to converse simultaneously with several people. Click on the ‘+’ button at the top of your contact list, then click on New Party. Click on the names of everyone you want to include, click the green arrow, then assign the party a name and a photo.
WhatsApp Web voice calls can not be performed, but you can press the microphone button in the message box to record and send an audio recording in a group or individual chats.
Profile settings
The three-dot menu above your contacts list is where you can access different settings. To change your profile image, or to change your name or other details, click ‘Profile’
You can also use the menu to access your starred messages or stored chats and to change the settings of the program. For example, you can change what the app will alert you about, adjust the background color for chats, and choose whether to open WhatsApp Desktop when you start your device–that’s a great idea.
