WhatsApp Web Guide: Using WhatsApp Web on your desktop and tablet

Everything You Need to Know About Using WhatsApp on Desktop and Tablet


Trickut - WhatsApp Web Guide_ Using WhatsApp Web on your desktop and tablet

What’s up? Oh! You said WhatsApp.

Looking to get WhatsApp Web set up and ready to go? Well, no worries, we got everything you need to know, right here in this guide.

We get it.

Sometimes, Whatsapp on mobile can be frustrating to use, especially when you’re looking for the convenience of doing everything from one device.

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Most people want the ease of a desktop or tablet at their disposal without having to download more applications.

Thankfully, that’s where WhatsApp Web comes in. Let’s go over how you can get started.

Getting Started

First off, if you don’t have the mobile app, you’re going to need to download it and create an account before you begin.

WhatsApp Web requires that you already have the mobile app and an account.

So for those of you that don’t yet have either, let’s go over how you get them. If you already have the mobile app, go ahead and skip this section.

It’s important to note before we move on that if you’re trying to get the app on your tablet, you won’t find it on the app store.

WhatsApp doesn’t support tablets. However, there’s a workaround that we’ll be going over later in the article. So feel free to skip to the “Setting up WhatsApp Web on your tablet” section if that’s what you need help with.

For iPhones

For our Apple readers, the first thing you’ll want to do is head to the app store and search up “WhatsApp.”

You’ll be looking for something that looks like this:

whatsapp web iphone install
Source: Trickut

Go ahead and install the app onto your phone.

After installation, just open up the app and follow the instructions for making a new account. The account creation process will include giving them your phone number.

Yes, you do need a phone number to use Whatsapp. After all, the app is an all in one call and messaging app.

For Androids

For all of our android users, the process will be about the same. Open up the google play store and search for “WhatsApp.”

You’ll be looking for the “WhatsApp Messenger” app. It looks the same as the iOS version above.

Install it onto your phone, and once the installation has finished, open the app and follow the instructions for making an account.

Setting up WhatsApp Web on your desktop

Okay, now that you have your mobile app and account ready, let’s get to how to set up WhatsApp Web on your desktop.

First, you’ll want to head the WhatsApp Web website.

Once you load up the site you’ll be greeted by this page:

whatsapp web desktop install
Source: Trickut

Just as the instructions on the page say.

You’ll first want to open up the WhatsApp messenger app on your phone.

iPhones

If you have an iPhone, you’ll want to look down at the bottom of your screen and tap on the settings icon.

whatsapp web iphone
Source: Trickut

After which you’ll want to click on the second option: WhatsApp Web/Desktop. If you haven’t already, WhatsApp will ask you for access to your camera. You’ll want to allow it so you can scan the QR Code.

After allowing camera access, just scan the QR code, and the WhatsApp Web messenger should open up automatically.

Androids

If you’re one of our Android readers, then after opening up the app, you’ll want to look for the three vertical dots in the right-hand corner of the screen.

whatsapp web android
Source: Trickut

Tap on those three dots, and a small menu will appear. You’ll want to tap on the WhatsApp Web option.

After tapping on the WhatsApp Web option, the camera should open, and you’ll be ready to scan the QR code. Go ahead and scan it, and the WhatsApp Web messenger should load automatically.

Short Video Guide

In case you’re more of a visual learner, there is a short video on the page where you’ll scan the QR Code that shows you precisely what buttons to press.

It even shows you how to do it on both iPhone and Android!

Thankfully, WhatsApp wants you to access their application in all forms easily.

Setting up WhatsApp Web on your tablet

If you remember, we stated that WhatsApp Web is a little tricky to get working on tablets thanks to the mobile app not being supported on them.

“If the mobile app isn’t supported, how am I supposed to scan the QR code or use WhatsApp on my tablet at all?” That’s likely what you’re wondering.

Well, as we said, it’s tricky.

Once again, we’ll be splitting up into how you can do it on iPad and Android, so please feel free to jump to your preferred device.

iPad Tablets

When browsing the Web on Safari with your iPad, you may see a little ‘AA’ icon in the top left of the address bar.

That little ‘AA’ icon holds the secret to getting WhatsApp Web on your iPad.

What you’re going to need to do is tap on that icon and select “Request Desktop Website.”

whatsapp web request desktop website
Source: Trickut

We want this option because it causes WhatsApp Web to load the version of the site that would typically display on a computer. This desktop version gives you a functioning QR code to scan.

If you attempt to use WhatsApp Web on your iPad without requesting the desktop site, then you’ll just be prompted to download the mobile app, which you can’t do on a tablet.

Android Tablets

If you’re using an Android tablet, then the solution is similar to iPads.

When browsing, you’ll want to visit the WhatsApp website and look for the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of your browser.

It should look something like this:

whatsapp web desktop google
Source: Trickut

Tap on those three dots and select “Request Desktop Site” from the menu that appears.

Selecting this option will cause the browser to load the site as it would appear on a desktop computer. This “tricks” the site into giving you a scannable QR code rather than telling you to download an app you can’t download.

Some things to note

Now that you have the scannable QR code, the process for getting WhatsApp Web on the tablet is the same set of steps as getting it going on a desktop, so refer to that section for the steps.

Since this is an unintended workaround for tablets, you may have to attempt this set up a few times for it to work correctly. There’s no telling what tech will do when used in unorthodox ways.

Using WhatsApp Web

Now that you’ve managed to get WhatsApp Web up and running, let’s quickly go over just what you can do with it.

When you log in to WhatsApp Web you’ll be greeted with this screen:

whatsapp web iphone connection
Source: Trickut

Here you’ll find all your present WhatsApp conversations.

The web app allows you to do everything the desktop version of WhatsApp does.

These features include:

  • Sending and receiving messages
  • Sending and receiving voice messages
  • Search chat logs
  • Send attachments
  • Access your contacts
  • Change profile and settings

You can’t make voice calls on this version of WhatsApp, unfortunately. You’ll have to use the mobile version to do that.

Besides that, WhatsApp Web allows you to have a top tier messaging and file sharing app at your fingertips without taking up any space on either your computer or tablet.

Can I use WhatsApp on PC without a phone?

The answer to this question is a no but can actually be a yes. (Although, the way around it may be too unconventional for some.)

WhatsApp also offers a native desktop application that you can download and use straight from the desktop that works similarly.

Download the desktop version of WhatsApp if you’re interested and get chatting!

To use WhatsApp on your PC, you’ll need to have your phone with the WhatsApp mobile app turned on. Otherwise, without your phone turned on, you won’t be able to send or receive new messages on desktop.

Here’s how to use WhatsApp on desktop without a phone:

Quick side note: Bluestacks is an Android emulator application that enables Android apps to work on your desktop.

  1. Install Bluestacks on your laptop.
  2. Open Bluestacks, then go to the Playstore and install WhatsApp.
  3. Sign in to WhatsApp with your mobile number. An OTP (one-time-password) will be sent to your mobile number through text.
  4. Just enter your OTP into WhatsApp, and you’re ready to rock’n’roll.

Can I log into WhatsApp Web without my phone?

The short answer is no.

Technically there is a method, but you’d have to go through downloading a phone simulator onto your computer, and we aren’t going to delve into that here.

For non-tech oriented people and the general public, the best answer is that you will require your phone to use WhatsApp Web.

How can I use WhatsApp Web on my phone?

Well, unless you have two phones, then you can’t. We also wouldn’t advise this route as you lose some of the functionality of the mobile app.

You can run the same method for getting it to run on tablets, but you’ll need another phone with the app installed to scan the QR code.

Time to communicate!

WhatsApp Web can be a great messaging tool to access when you need it. You also get the added benefit of not using up any further storage on your desktop or tablet by having an app installed.

Hopefully, you’re all ready to get chatting away with your contacts on WhatsApp Web. Just follow the steps laid out here and visit the FAQ if you need further clarification on the setup.

Happy chatting!


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