WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows you to easily communicate with friends, family and co-workers across devices and platforms. While WhatsApp works great on smartphones, you may also want to use it on your computer for the larger screen and keyboard. But how exactly can you open and use WhatsApp on your PC if you have an iPhone?
There are a few methods to get WhatsApp on your computer if you own an iPhone. The easiest options are to use the WhatsApp desktop app or WhatsApp Web. This guide will walk through the steps to get WhatsApp on your PC using either of these options. We’ll also provide some tips for syncing your chats and using WhatsApp desktop effectively. Follow along to learn how to open WhatsApp from iPhone to PC.
Prerequisites
Before getting WhatsApp on your PC, there are a couple requirements you need:
- An iPhone with WhatsApp installed and set up
- A PC or Mac computer
- An internet connection on both devices
As long as you have WhatsApp already set up on your iPhone with an active account, and a computer connected to the internet, you can proceed with connecting WhatsApp from iPhone to PC.
Using WhatsApp Desktop App
The WhatsApp desktop app provides the best and most complete WhatsApp experience on a PC. Here are the steps to use it:
- On your computer, go to the WhatsApp desktop app download page at https://www.whatsapp.com/download/. Select the appropriate download for your Windows or Mac OS.
- Once downloaded, install and open the WhatsApp desktop app on your computer.
- On your iPhone, open WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab.
- Tap on Linked Devices.
- Point your phone’s camera at the QR code displayed on your computer screen. Your phone will automatically scan the code.
- You will get a notification on both devices that they are now linked. The WhatsApp desktop app will now sync all your chats from your phone.
And that’s it! WhatsApp is now connected between your iPhone and computer. You can use all of its messaging, call and video chat features seamlessly from your PC.
Tips for Using WhatsApp Desktop
Here are some useful tips for making the most of WhatsApp desktop:
– Your phone will need to remain connected to the internet for notifications and messages to sync to your PC. Without an internet connection on your iPhone, the desktop app will not receive the latest updates.
– You can link up to 4 devices to your WhatsApp account at once. This includes the desktop app as well as tablets.
– Chat histories and media will automatically sync between your mobile device and the desktop app. You don’t need to transfer anything manually.
– You can only be logged into your WhatsApp account on one mobile device at a time. If you log into your account on a new mobile phone, it will log you out of the desktop app.
– WhatsApp calls and video chats are supported on the desktop app. Use your computer’s microphone and camera for enhanced audio/video quality.
– You can set custom wallpaper for chats on WhatsApp desktop as well as enable dark mode for easier viewing.
Using WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web provides a quick way to access your WhatsApp chats from a computer browser. Here is how to use it:
- On your computer, open the Chrome, Firefox or Edge web browser and go to https://web.whatsapp.com/. This is the web portal for WhatsApp Web.
- On your iPhone, open WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab.
- Tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop and select Link a Device.
- Point your phone’s camera at the QR code displayed on the WhatsApp Web page. Your phone will automatically scan the code.
- WhatsApp web will now display all your chats from your mobile device. You can message directly from the browser.
The advantage of WhatsApp Web is it’s quick to set up and requires no installation. However, its features are more limited compared to the desktop app.
WhatsApp Web Limitations
Some limitations to be aware of with WhatsApp Web:
– You will need to scan the QR code each time you visit web.whatsapp.com to sync your chats. With the desktop app, linking is permanent unless you log out.
– No support for voice or video calls on WhatsApp Web. You can only make calls using the mobile or desktop apps.
– Limited customization options. You cannot change the interface or customize chats on WhatsApp Web.
– Notifications only appear on your mobile device, not the computer browser tab. You’ll need to keep the Web page open to see new messages.
So while handy for a quick chat session, the desktop app is better for a more seamless WhatsApp experience on PC.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp PC Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues getting WhatsApp linked or working properly between your iPhone and computer. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Unable to Scan QR Code
– Make sure your phone’s camera has a clear view of the entire QR code on the computer screen. Move the phone closer or adjust angles if needed.
– Check for proper lighting conditions and use flash if the environment is too dark for the camera.
– Tap the circular refresh icon on the QR code scanner screen if it’s having trouble detecting the code.
– As a last resort, power cycle both devices and try reloading/scanning the QR code again.
Chats Not Syncing
– Ensure your iPhone and computer are connected to the internet. Without an internet connection, your chats cannot sync across devices.
– Close and restart the WhatsApp desktop app and/or WhatsApp Web page and scan the QR code again to refresh the connection.
– On your iPhone, check Settings > Linked Devices and make sure the correct computer is still linked. Tap on it to reconnect if needed.
– As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the desktop app entirely and relink your account.
Can’t Send or Receive Messages
– Check your internet connections on both devices. Wi-Fi issues, weak cellular signals, VPN connections and firewalls can prevent message sending.
– Ensure your iPhone has the latest version of WhatsApp installed. Older versions may be incompatible with the desktop app.
– Restart your iPhone and computer to clear out any software issues, then try force quitting and reopening the desktop app.
– Check WhatsApp Web settings and make sure your phone didn’t accidentally unlink. Rescan the QR code if needed.
Calls Not Working
– For WhatsApp desktop specifically, allow access to your computer’s microphone and camera in your OS settings if not already permitted.
– Make sure your phone’s cellular plan includes voice calling support. Some plans block calling over VoIP.
– Try switching from Wi-Fi to cellular data or vice versa. Some corporate networks block WhatsApp voice/video.
– Disable any VPNs, firewalls or security software that may be blocking WhatsApp domains/ports and prevent calls.
Conclusion
WhatsApp desktop provides the best messaging experience for iPhone users who want to chat on their computers. With just a simple QR code scan, you can sync all your chats to the desktop app or WhatsApp Web.
While limitations exist, especially with the web version, the desktop app gives you full WhatsApp capabilities on your PC. If you encounter any issues getting it set up, try the troubleshooting tips outlined. With a stable internet connection, you’ll be video calling and chatting from your computer in no time.
WhatsApp continues improving its multi-device support and adding useful desktop features. Combined with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, accessibility across platforms makes it a leading choice for secure and convenient messaging.
| Platform | Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Desktop App | Messaging, voice & video calls, syncing | Full WhatsApp experience, persistent sync | Requires app installation |
| WhatsApp Web | Messaging only | Quick access from browser | No calls, have to rescan QR code frequently |