WhatsApp Web and Desktop: How do they work

WhatsApp Desktop and Web apps work in conjunction with the WhatsApp app on your phone. Here’s how it works and how to use it.

The WhatsApp messaging service has both web and desktop apps, providing another way. To make it as easy as possible to keep up with all your WhatsApp messages throughout the day.

The web version and desktop app for macOS and Windows work almost the same way and are very similar to the WhatsApp smartphone app.

To download the WhatsApp desktop app, head to whatsapp.com/download from your desktop browser and hit download. Alternatively, if you don’t want to download it, go for the web-based version at web.whatsapp.com.

Here is a brief guide to getting the most out of it.

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What are the WhatsApp desktop and web apps?

The WhatsApp web and desktop app is an extension of your smartphone. It mirrors all the conversations and messages you have on WhatsApp on your phone and allows you. To see them all and reply to them all on your PC or Mac using your computer keyboard instead of the keyboard on your smartphone.

You can see exactly what’s going on in your WhatsApp world while working on a Word document or replying to an email, without having to take your smartphone out of your pocket.

How do the WhatsApp desktop and web app work?

Both WhatsApp Desktop and WhatsApp Web initially require your phone to be linked to them for them to work.

To do this, you must scan a QR code with your mobile phone and authenticate your phone with a PIN, fingerprint, or face ID in order to access your messages and conversations.

Once you do, you can put your phone in your desk drawer or pocket and forget about it.

The WhatsApp desktop and web apps will pull all your conversations, plugging in any new messages and enabling you to start new conversations or search your existing ones. You’ll also get access to your profile, along with some basic settings and any archived chats.

These apps don’t offer quite the same functionality as a smartphone app when it comes to settings but replying to messages and starting new conversations is the same, just easier and faster because you have a bigger screen and a better keyboard.

Can WhatsApp Web or Desktop be used on multiple devices?

You can link up to four devices to your WhatsApp account to use WhatsApp Desktop or WhatsApp Web, be it a laptop or a tablet, for example. It should be noted that only one phone can be used at a time.

You’ll need to follow the same steps above to link the devices, so you’ll need your phone to be able to do that at first.

Without your phone, you will not be able to set up the associated device as you need to scan a QR code.

Does WhatsApp Web work without a phone?

Sort of, yes. You need your phone for the initial setup of the WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop apps but your phone does not need to stay connected to the internet for these four linked devices to work once linked.

You will be automatically signed out of WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop if you do not use your phone for 14 days.

This means that your WhatsApp Web session or WhatsApp Desktop session will expire after two weeks if you do not open WhatsApp on your phone.

If you do this, the session will expire when you log out of the associated device.

Can WhatsApp Web be tracked?

WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop are end-to-end encrypted, as are the WhatsApp conversations on your phone. All four linked devices using WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop are end-to-end encrypted.

How do I use the WhatsApp desktop or web apps?

Once you open the WhatsApp Web or Desktop app on your PC, Mac or tablet, scan the QR code that appears on your computer screen using your smartphone.

To do this on an iPhone, open the WhatsApp app on your device, go to Settings, then Associated devices, and tap Link Device.

Once you’ve authenticated your phone with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, the box will appear ready to scan your desktop screen.

On Android, open the WhatsApp app, go to the three dots in the upper right corner, and tap on WhatsApp Web.

Your messages and conversations will then appear on your computer screen. You can change the size of the window, as well as minimize it if you wish.

On a Mac, any new messages will appear at the top right of the screen, as they will with other apps such as Mail. On Windows, they will appear in the lower right and then filter in the Notification Center.

You can turn off WhatsApp Web and Desktop notifications though.

To view your profile, change your status, or change your profile picture, tap your picture at the top of the desktop app.

Next to your photo is the icon that will allow you to start a new chat, while the small arrow next to the new chat icon shows a drop-down menu, including Sign Out.

Manage chats and groups on WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop

The drop-down menu on WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop. At the top of your chats next to your profile pictures, where you’ll find access to settings, the ability to sign out, and starred messages.

There is also an option to start a new group. In Settings, you’ll find access to things like settings for your last seen, disappearing messages, any blocked contacts, and your notification preferences, including turning.

The sound on or off, choosing whether or not to show previews, or choosing to turn off all surface notifications. the desk.

Hovering over each individual chat on the home screen will also bring up a small arrow for that particular chat, providing two additional options.

You can archive, pin, mute, delete, or mark a conversation as unread here. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts below for that.

There are also more options in each individual conversation. At the top right of a particular conversation, you will see their name and when they were last online if this feature is activated. At the top right, there’s a search icon, along with another small arrow that displays another drop-down menu.

Within this menu, you can select messages within that particular chat, mute the chat, clear it, delete that particular chat, and also see the contact information for that person. You can also click on the bar at the top.

The chat and you will get the option to delete the chat, turn on Disappearing Messages, and also see the contact information.

Emojis are also available on the WhatsApp desktop app. You’ll find it in the same place you find it on the smartphone app, on the side of the box where you type a new message. There is also a paperclip icon for attaching any media here.

How to make a video call on WhatsApp Desktop or WhatsApp web

As with the WhatsApp mobile app, you can call or video call a contact through the WhatsApp desktop app (this is not possible on WhatsApp web).

We have a separate and more detailed feature about that, but in short, tap on the contact you want to call or video call and tap on the audio icon or the video icon at the top of the chat.

What can’t you do on WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop?

There are some features that are not supported on WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop.

You can’t clear or delete chats on linked devices if your primary device is an iPhone You also won’t be able. To send a message or call someone who is using a very old version of WhatsApp and as mentioned. WhatsApp Web does not support video calling or calling.

You also cannot view the live site on linked devices and you cannot create and view broadcast lists on these devices.

Last but not least, you cannot send messages with link previews from WhatsApp Web.

WhatsApp keyboard shortcuts for web and desktop

A number of keyboard shortcuts are available for both WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop.

For Mac users, here are the useful shortcuts available:

Mark as unread: Cmd + Shift + U

Mute: Cmd + Shift + M

Chat archive: Cmd + Shift + E

Delete chat: Cmd + Shift + D

Chat pin: Cmd + Shift + P.

Search: Cmd + F

Chat search: Cmd + Shift + F

New chat: Cmd + N

Next chat: Cmd + Tab

Previous chat: Cmd + Shift + Tab

New combination: Cmd + Shift + N

For PC users, here are the available shortcuts:

Mark as unread: Ctrl + Shift + U

Mute: Ctrl + Shift + M.

Archive chat: Ctrl + Shift + E.

Delete chat: Ctrl + Shift + D

Pin chat: Ctrl + Shift + P.

Search: Ctrl + F

Chat search: Ctrl + Shift + F

New conversation: Ctrl + N

Next chat: Ctrl + Tab

Previous chat: Ctrl + Shift + Tab

New combination: Ctrl + Shift + N

Profile and about: Ctrl + P.

Increase the speed of the selected voice message: Shift +.

Decrease the speed of the set voice messages: Shift +,

Settings: Ctrl+,

Gif panel: Ctrl + G

Emoji panel: Ctrl + E.

Label panel: Ctrl + S.