How to Use WhatsApp on Your Computer

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.