How to Use WhatsApp on Your Computer
WhatsApp Web lets you send messages, photos, and voice notes from your Mac or PC — your phone stays in your pocket.
4 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Open WhatsApp Web on your computer
On your computer, open any web browser and go to web.whatsapp.com. You'll see a large QR code in the center of the screen. Keep this page open while you complete the next step.
Quick Tip
If you use WhatsApp often on your computer, download the free WhatsApp Desktop app from whatsapp.com/download for a better experience than the browser version.
Step 2. Scan the QR code from your phone
On your phone, open WhatsApp. On Android, tap the three vertical dots in the top right and select "Linked Devices." On iPhone, tap the Settings icon (gear) in the bottom right, then "Linked Devices." Tap "Link a Device" and point your phone camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
Step 3. Start messaging from your computer
After the QR code scans successfully, your WhatsApp chats appear on the computer screen within seconds. Click any conversation to open it. Type your message in the text field at the bottom and press Enter to send. Your messages appear on both your phone and computer in real time.
Step 4. Send files and photos from your computer
To send a file stored on your computer, click the paperclip icon in the chat input area, then browse for the file. Or drag and drop any file from your computer's Finder or File Explorer directly onto the chat window to send it instantly.
Step 5. Log out of WhatsApp Web
When you're done, click the three-dot menu icon in WhatsApp Web and select "Log out." Or on your phone, go to Linked Devices and tap the computer's name, then tap "Log out." Either way works.
Warning
If you use WhatsApp Web on a shared or public computer, always log out when you're finished. Anyone who opens that browser afterward could access your messages.
WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular messaging apps, and most people use it on their phone. But WhatsApp also has a web version and a desktop app that let you send and receive messages from your Mac or Windows computer — which is much more comfortable if you type a lot or prefer a full keyboard.
To use WhatsApp Web, go to web.whatsapp.com in any web browser on your computer. You'll see a QR code on screen — a square barcode that your phone camera needs to scan.
On your phone, open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu (Android) or the Settings icon (iPhone). Look for "Linked Devices" and tap it. Tap "Link a Device." Your phone's camera activates. Point it at the QR code on your computer screen until WhatsApp recognizes it. The connection happens in a few seconds, and your conversations appear on the computer screen right away.
From this point on, you can type messages using your computer keyboard, which is much faster and more comfortable than typing on a phone. You can also drag and drop files, documents, and photos from your computer directly into a chat to send them — excellent for sharing documents or photos stored on your Mac or PC.
For a cleaner experience than the web browser version, download the WhatsApp Desktop app from whatsapp.com/download. It's a dedicated app for Mac or Windows that doesn't clutter your browser with extra tabs.
A common concern: does my phone need to be nearby or connected? WhatsApp supports multi-device mode, which means you can use WhatsApp Web even if your phone is temporarily offline or out of battery, at least for a short time. For extended use, your phone should be on and connected.
You can link up to four devices to one WhatsApp account. This includes tablets and a second phone if needed. To see all linked devices and log out of any of them, go back to Linked Devices on your phone and you'll see the full list with the option to remove any device.
Official sources
- Medicare.gov — medicare.gov
- SSA.gov — ssa.gov
- IRS.gov — irs.gov
- USA.gov — usa.gov
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