If you have particularly talkative people on your WhatsApp list, you will know how annoying it can be to chat with them using a mobile keyboard. You can not really get the gossip vine (or more important posts) at a paltry 20 words per minute. Luckily, there’s a way to use WhatsApp on your PC, so you can type with your hardware keyboard and really express yourself.
The app used to require your phone to be on and connected to the internet, but since an update in late 2021 that’s no longer a requirement and you can log into WhatsApp Web on up to five devices without having to have your phone. enabled (although you need your phone to make this initial connection).
Also read:10 Best Sticker Packs for WhatsApp
Before you start
It should be noted that you cannot use WhatsApp on your PC without first setting it up on your mobile phone. As you will soon see, it is impossible to use WhatsApp on a desktop PC without having the mobile app on your phone.
As such, if you don’t have a phone with WhatsApp installed, you’ll have a hard time following these steps. If so, make sure you have it on hand before you begin.
How to set up WhatsApp on your desktop
If you want WhatsApp to be a desktop application, you can download it from the download page. At the time of writing, you can download it for Mac and Windows.
Once you have downloaded and installed WhatsApp, start it. You will be greeted by the following screen.
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This screen tells you everything you need to know to get started, but in case you need a little help finding all the settings, continue with this guide.
Go to your phone and open WhatsApp. Tap the three dots in the top right, then tap Linked devices.
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Aim the camera so that the highlighted box is above the QR code area, then click the button to generate a new QR code.
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Once your phone scans the code, your computer will automatically sign you in and display your contacts.
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How to configure WhatsApp in Chrome
If you can’t download WhatsApp on your PC, you can access WhatsApp on the web. It works the same as the PC version, except it’s a website instead of a downloadable app.
Setting up WhatsApp in Chrome is even easier than on desktop. All you have to do is visit WhatsappWeb, then follow the steps as instructed. These steps are the same as the desktop version, so check out the full guide and screenshots above.
What WhatsApp Web Can and Can’t Do
Unfortunately, this web version of WhatsApp does not contain all the features of the mobile app. For example, you cannot make audio or video calls through the web application. You also cannot export your Whatsapp chat history.
However, other features like changing profile pictures, setting a status picture, and fixing pictures are still there. They may be in different places than the mobile app, but they are there.
Also read:
How to Format Text in WhatsApp Chats
Learn what’s new with WhatsApp
If you love talking to people on WhatsApp but aren’t a big fan of mobile keyboards, you don’t need to be stuck on your phone all the time. Now you know how to put WhatsApp on your PC, either through the official desktop app or on the web.
Want to have fun with WhatsApp? Check out our guide to WhatsApp stickers. We can also help you if your whatsapp not working.
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