WhatsApp is becoming our habit for messaging our friends and family. It is one of the most widely favored messaging apps boasting 2 billion users worldwide. But do you know that WhatsApp is not only for your phone? It can also work on your desktop.
If you want to use your phone sparingly, the WhatsApp web or WhatsApp desktop can help you with that. You need to scan the QR code for the WhatsApp web login and start using it on your PC. You can send, read and receive messages here as you were doing it on your mobile application.
Moreover, you don’t have to worry about its compatibility as it works on most browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and much more. So, you don’t have to install a new browser just to use it. No matter on which platform you are using WhatsApp, the working of WhatsApp remains the same.
WhatsApp syncs all the messages, whether text or media, from mobile phones to your WhatsApp web. Due to it, you will not have to juggle between the mobile and web application.
This application is handy when you can not access your phone or mobile internet. So let’s learn in detail about this fantastic WhatsApp web login feature.
What Are WhatsApp Web And Desktop Apps?
Are you confused between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp desktop applications? No worries, we will explain the difference. The significant distinction between the two is that WhatsApp web is a web interface compatible with many browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
Using a computer, you can use it for instant messaging from most browsers. On the other hand, WhatsApp Desktop is a great standalone application you will need to download to your computer. In short, WhatsApp web is a browser-based application and WhatsApp desktop designed for OS such as Mac and Windows.
However, the interface design, features, and messaging experience of both WhatsApp applications are almost similar. You will not feel the difference in using both interface tools, icons, or buttons as they are arranged similarly in both applications. So in designing, there are not many differences.
When it comes to functionality, WhatsApp desktop beats WhatsApp by some margin. WhatsApp Desktop allows users to utilize WhatsApp keyboard shortcuts. Thanks to it, you can change message read status, move between chats, mute chats, and much more.
Unfortunately, WhatsApp Web does not let you use the same feature as here. WhatsApp shorts are limited and not supported. Another thing that makes these two applications different is their requirement.
It would be best to have an internet connection and a good browser like Edge, Chrome, or Safari to use the WhatsApp web application. Whereas WhatsApp Desktop requires installation on the computer for which your operating system version should be later than Windows 8.1 or higher and Mac OS 10.10 or higher.
How Do WhatsApp Desktop And Web Work?
As we have already told you, WhatsApp web is a web-based extension that allows you to use WhatsApp on your computer using a web browser. As it is a web-based application, you do not require much except a browser for WhatsApp web login. You have to scan the QR code, and you are in the app.
After login, You can access almost all the functions of the WhatsApp messaging platform using your computer. Share photos, files, videos, documents, and more using this messaging service. Users can watch stories and statuses shared by friends and family, change their profile photos, start new chats, and use the profile search feature.
All these features work not only in web-based applications but also in the WhatsApp desktop app. In working, WhatsApp Desktop is precisely like your mobile application, whereas WhatsApp web has minor limitations like not utilizing a shortcut key, as mentioned above.
To use WhatsApp web and Desktop applications, you must have an account with a verified phone number. Anyone can start using WhatsApp web by going to WhatsApp’s official site for web applications. You can access it from here. After it, you can just scan the QR code, and you are ready to use it.
But WhatsApp desktop requires installation. You can install it from the official website. After installation, you must link your mobile account to the desktop application. You can use a QR scan from your mobile phone.
If we talk about their memory consumption, surprisingly, WhatsApp web consumes much more memory (260 – 300 MB) even on using Edge, while desktop uses far less (210-260 MB) compared to it.
Using WhatsApp on the computer can prove extremely handy while your mobile is unavailable. You do not even need an internet connection to use this application. The only requirement is a PC and mobile with a working internet facility. WhatsApp web is compatible with all browsers and desktop applications and works in iOS and windows.
All your chat from mobile is synced with WhatsApp web and desktop applications. You can take the conversation ahead from where you have left off. You can also check your login and log activity. If you want to know how many devices you can use, continue to read.
Can We Use WhatsApp Web Or Desktop On Multiple Devices?
Yes, WhatsApp has removed limitations on using multiple devices. With its latest update, the add-on feature lets users link up to four devices with their primary phone. Hence, in total, you can use WhatsApp on five devices.
So now, messaging your friends and family has become a lot easier. The best part is that your phone does not need to be online to use WhatsApp web and desktop applications.
However, we still need to get a different mobile number for WhatsApp on two phones. Another thing to remember is that your primary phone must come online at least once at 14 days intervals. You will also need your phone to register a WhatsApp account and to link the devices.
You can use WhatsApp’s multi-device function for WhatsApp web, WhatsApp desktop for windows, WhatsApp desktop for Mac, and Facebook Portal. But we recommend that you use WhatsApp only on those devices where it is required. Because WhatsApp provides robust encryption only to primary devices. For other devices, it uses a scalable sender key encryption scheme.
Does WhatsApp Web Work Without A Phone?
An earlier version of the WhatsApp web application can only mirror the mobile app, which means it will work until your phone is online. But with the latest update and the WhatsApp desktop application, you do not need your phone to link the device.
It has made communication possible with loved ones even if your phone does not have an internet connection or your mobile is switched off. For WhatsApp, you can use your desktop, laptop, and tablet when your phone is out of battery.
However, there is one requirement for using WhatsApp without a phone. You have to come online once every 14 days from your primary phone. Then only you can continuously use your web or desktop WhatsApp service.
How To Login To WhatsApp Web On A PC?
It is quite easy to use WhatsApp Web on your PC. WhatsApp web is a simple web application that WhatsApp develops so you can easily use WhatsApp from another device besides a mobile phone. It lets users utilize various services like messaging, sending media, and seeing other stories.
You will require a registered WhatsApp account on your mobile to use a Web browser. Browser or desktop application to access WhatsApp. Stable internet connection and working camera so that you can scan QR code.
After acquiring all these things, you can use WhatsApp Web on a PC. We have two different ways to access the WhatsApp application, browser and desktop. We provide a step-by-step method through which you can easily log in on the WhatsApp app. The instruction is as follows:
1. Through Browser:
- Start any web browser of your choice. We recommend using Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.
- Go to web.whatsapp.com from the web browser of your choice. There you will see an auto-generated WhatsApp QR code.
- Now start the WhatsApp app on your mobile phone.
- On the WhatsApp top right corner, you will see the three-dot option. Tap on it.
- Select the third option, “Linked device,” from the drop-down menu.
- You will see a green button in the center where “Linked A Device” shows. Select it to proceed.
- If you are using an iOS device, tap on settings and then tap on the WhatsApp Web/Desktop option.
- WhatsApp will now access your camera, and you will see a scanner on the phone. Scan the QR code showing on the browser screen.
- That’s it. Now your WhatsApp message is synced with WhatsApp web and ready to access.
2. Through Desktop App:
WhatsApp offers you the option to download a desktop application for your windows and Mac, which works similarly to the app. here are instructions to login into WhatsApp web from the desktop app.
- Go to WhatsApp’s official page to download the application.
- Click on the option “Download For Window” OS or the “Download for Mac” option to automatically download the WhatsApp application.
- Locate the downloaded file and double-click to start the installation process.
- Follow the given instruction on the screen.
- After setting up the application, launch the app.
- You will get the QR code.
- Start the WhatsApp app on your device and click on the three-dot option in the screen’s upper right corner.
- Select a Linked device from the list.
- Now select Tap on Linked Devices on the page.
Conclusion:
With WhatsApp web login, you can use WhatsApp on your computer, laptop, and tablet without needing your mobile. You can either use WhatsApp web-based application or the Desktop application to connect. It will let you send messages, media, and documents, and you can see your friend’s stories.
If you regularly use WhatsApp on your computer, installing a Desktop application will solve the hassle of repeatedly going to sites. It will save you time, and you can also utilize the shortcut key, which you cannot do in a Web-based application. However, it is the only suggestion you should use with which you are comfortable.
I’m Monali Gupta, an entertainment journalist, and Social Media expert. I have written for several major publications and websites as a ghostwriter. I’m also known for my unique and witty writing style, and my ability to spot the next big trend in entertainment and Social Media Industries.