It is important to know that it is not an independent WhatsApp application, but rather works as a link where we must connect the app on our mobile via Wi-Fi network where both the phone and the computer must be connected. That is why, in order to use it, it will be necessary for us to have our mobile on with the application activated. In addition, it is possible to use WhatsApp Web on up to 4 paired devices and 1 phone at a time.
To use the browser version, we only need to have Google Chrome, Edge or Firefox installed on the PC, since it works without problems in any of them. For the Desktop version, for PC, we need a Windows 10 or a Windows 11, updated to its newest versions, for the UWP applications to work.
How to use from PC
In order to use WhatsApp Web from our computer, the first thing we are going to need is to write https://web.whatsapp.com in our preferred browser or click on .
Next, we must open the WhatsApp application on our mobile, where we will click on the three-point button located in the upper right. This will open a drop-down menu where we will click on linked devices. Next we click on pair device which will activate the camera of our phone. We point to the PC screen to scan the QR code that appears on the WhatsApp Web page and thus link both devices.
Once this is done, we will instantly see how all the WhatsApp conversations on our mobile appear, which means that the link has been carried out correctly and we can start using the messaging application from the browser.
Among the actions that we can carry out in the version of WhatsApp for computers, we can highlight the following.
start new conversation
If we want to continue any conversation, just select it from the left column and start writing. On the other hand, if what we want is to start a new conversation, we must click on the icon in the shape of a speech bubble that we find in the upper right part. If we move the mouse pointer over it, a little sign appears that says new chat, so we just have to click on it. This will make our contact list appear from where we can select the person with whom we want to start a new conversation or create a new group.
send files
With WhatsApp web we will also be able to send all kinds of files such as photos, videos and documents. For this we have two possibilities. One of them is to drag and drop the file on the conversation window of the contact to whom we want to send it. Another option is more classic, and it is click on the clip icon. This will cause a menu to be displayed where we can select Photos and videos, Sticker, Camera, Document and Contact. We choose the desired option and finally click on the file to send click on Open.
Send audios (voice notes)
Through the microphone of our computer we will also be able to send voice notes. To do this, we access the desired conversation and click on the microphone shaped icon. When doing it for the first time it will be necessary grant permissions to the application in order to access the microphone. We accept this and it will automatically start recording a voice note. To send it, we just have to click on the green icon that appears or cancel the shipment by clicking on the red button.
block contacts
If we want to block a contact from WhatsApp web, we must click on the three-point icon in the upper left. Later we click on Setting and in the new screen that appears we select Privacy.
Now we move to the bottom of the menu and click on the section of contacts blockeds and then in Add a blocked contact. This will open a new pop-up window with our contact list and we can select the one we want to block so that they can send us more messages.
Unblock a blocked contact
From the web version of WhatsApp we will also be able to unblock any contact that we have previously blocked. To do this, click on the icon with three points and select Setting and Privacy. Here we click on blocked contacts where we will see a list with all the contacts that we have blocked. To unlock it, just click on the X that appears next to your name. This will cause a pop-up window to appear where we must confirm the operation.
Sign off
If we use WhatsApp Web from a computer that is not ours, it is important that once we have finished using it, we close the session to prevent other people from accessing its content. To do this, just click on the icon with three dots from the upper left and within the drop-down menu we click on Sign off. This will make the browser and our mobile disconnect and in case we want to access it again we will have to log in again.
WAToolkit: the extension you should
WAToolkit is a totally free and open source extension for Google Chrome created in Spain in order to improve the functions and features of WhatsApp Web. This extension integrates seamlessly into the Google browser and, from it, takes control of the WhatsApp web client to allow users to more comfortably use this platform.
One of the features of this extension is that it handles always show us notifications that we receive a message even when we don’t have WhatsApp Web open and running. The extension is responsible for always being connected to our smartphone so that when we receive a message, it is replicated instantly on our computer. And with one click we can go directly to the conversation.
Another novelty of this extension is the new icon that it enables in the Chrome extensions bar. This new icon allows us open WhatsApp Web simply by clicking about him. In addition, it also allows us to see a preview of unread messages that we have simply by placing the mouse over this button.
Surely it has happened to us that, having an instance of WhatsApp Web open in the browser, we have reopened another window of this client. The new window takes over from the functions and the previous one remains open, but to no avail. WAToolkit also ends these problems and guarantees us that we will only have one page open at the same time.
This extension is very light and consumes very few resources, something that is often appreciated. Its download is completely free, and we can install it in our browser directly from the Chrome Store:
Once installed we can see how a new button has appeared to the right of the address bar. With him we will be able directly open WhatsApp Web to access our chats. In addition, we will also be able to see the number of unread messages and a preview of them.
As is obvious, this extension has its own configuration options. Within the WhatsApp Web page, to the right of our photo, we can see the icon of WAToolkit. If we click on it we can see the two main options of the program:
- Background notifications, even when we have closed WhatsApp Web.
- Activate the wide text to be able to read the messages better.
If we often use WhatsApp Web, without a doubt WAToolkit is an extension that should not be missing from our Google Chrome browser.
Create desktop shortcut
In order to access WhatsApp Web more comfortably, we can create a shortcut to our desktop. If we use Google Chrome as a browser, just click on the icon with three points that we find in the upper right part of the browser. Later we click on More tools, which will open a submenu where we will click on Create Shortcut. This will open a pop-up window where we can put the desired name and in case we want to open the rest as an independent window, we check the Open as window box. We only have to click on Create and we will see how our direct access to WhatsApp Web will be available on our desktop.
Create a PWA shortcut to WhatsApp Web
The use of applications progressive web (PWA) They are an excellent way to access our favorite services such as WhatsApp Web, without having to install any additional software, since we only need the browser to create and use them. In this way we will be able to run WhatsApp Web from its own window instead of from a tab within the browser.
In order to use WhatsApp as a PWA we are going to use Google Chrome as a browser. Through him, we will be able create a shortcut which will allow us to run the web application as a standalone application. To do this, we just have to enter the WhatsApp Web page and click on the button with three vertical points and select “More tools” and “Create shortcut”.
Next, a pop-up window appears asking if we want to create a shortcut with the option of changing the access name and checking the Open as window box. We must click on the “create” button so that we can have the application separate from Chrome.
Once this is done the application will automatically switch to its PWA mode, and will create its own shortcut. From it, we can directly access our app without having to open Chrome before and without having to keep it open afterwards.
whatsapp for windows
WhatsApp developers not only chose to create a web version for computers, but also has a desktop version, much more complete than the web version and has practically all the functions of the mobile version. All this in exchange for , instead of logging into our account with the browser. From the Microsoft Store we also have the WhatsApp Desktop UWP application available.
It is true that with WhatsApp web we will be able to perform most major actions that we use on a regular basis such as writing text messages and sending files and voice messages through the microphone, as well as using the webcam to send photos or videos. However, we will find some limitations that we will not be able to carry out from the browser, but we could do from its desktop application.
For example, we will not be able to share our location, nor will we be able to make voice or video calls, which is possibly one of its weakest points, since it is possible to think about using it to be able to make video calls through the computer’s webcam and seeing the other person on the big screen would be a great idea. In case this is something…
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