WhatsApp is now available on the web via the
Chrome browser, meaning it's possible to simultaneously access your
WhatsApp account on your phone, tablet, laptop and PC
without a hack. Here's how to get WhatsApp on your phone, tablet,
laptop AND your PC, all at once. To physically install the WhatsApp app
on your tablet also see: How to install WhatsApp on iPad: Get WhatsApp on your tablet.
Limitations: Note that for now WhatsApp on the web
works only with Android, BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows phones, not iOS
(iPhones, iPads and iPod touch). WhatsApp says this is due to "Apple
platform limitations". You must also be using the Google Chrome web
browser, and make sure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp
(in Android, launch the Google Play Store, tap the three lines icon at
the top left, choose My apps and check whether an update is available
for WhatsApp).
How to use WhatsApp on your PC, how to use WhatsApp on your laptop, how to use WhatsApp on your tablet
Step 1. Using WhatsApp in your web browser
couldn't be easier. On your computer or tablet launch the Chrome browser (other
browsers are not supported) and head to https://web.whatsapp.com.
We tried this in OS X; it should work on any platform other than iOS using the
Chrome browser and ensuring you are viewing the desktop site if you're doing so
on a tablet. A QR code will pop up onscreen on your PC. You do not need a QR
reader installed on your phone to read this. Note that if you're using a tablet
you will need to request the desktop site in Chrome's settings (and no, this
won't work in Chrome on an iPad, even if you have an Android phone).
Step 2. Launch WhatsApp on your phone and click
the three dots at the top right to access more options, then choose WhatsApp on
the web.
Step 3. A QR reader will then open on your phone;
point this at your PC screen to read the code and be automatically logged into
WhatsApp on the web.
Step 4. The interface will be familiar to WhatsApp
phone users, but you should note that desktop notifications are supported,
which you may want to switch off in the settings menu for privacy reasons if
this is a shared PC. As on the phone, tapping the three-dot icon brings up more
options. Select Notifications and then deselect Desktop Alerts and Sounds.
Step 5. Starting a new conversation is slightly
different on the desktop. As on the phone you can click the new message icon to
select one of your contacts, but in WhatsApp on the web the search function
lets you start new conversations as well as filter existing chats.
Step 6. Within a conversation the interface
matches that of the phone, with emoticon and mic icons sitting either side of
the bottom text-entry field, and a paperclip icon at the top to attach files.
Beside this is a more options icon that lets you view contact info. And as on
the phone you get the single-, twin- and blue-tick system to show whether
messages have been sent, delivered and read. Also see: What do the two
blue ticks mean in WhatsApp?
Step 7. Once your phone and computer are connected
you are able to manage your logged in computers from your phone via the
Options, WhatsApp on the web menu. From here you can log out from all
computers, or you can use the options menu in WhatsApp on the web to log out
from the PC you're currently using. WhatsApp will by default keep you logged in
unless you specify otherwise, but having logged out you'll need to go through
the QR code process again the next time you want to log into WhatsApp on that
machine.
Messages between phone and browser are instantly synched, so users
on limited mobile data contracts should be wary of increased data usage. It's a
good idea to switch on your Wi-Fi if you're a heavy WhatsApp user.
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