WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. While WhatsApp is designed to be used on smartphones, it’s also possible to use it on your computer. Setting up WhatsApp on your computer allows you to message and call WhatsApp contacts right from your desktop or laptop. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and using WhatsApp on your Mac or PC.
What are the benefits of using WhatsApp on a computer?
There are several advantages to using WhatsApp on your computer:
- Bigger screen – You can see your chats and media more clearly on a desktop compared to a smartphone screen.
- Easier typing – With a full keyboard and mouse, typing long messages is faster and easier.
- Multitasking – You can keep WhatsApp open while doing other tasks on your computer.
- Notifications – Get WhatsApp notifications directly on your desktop.
- Seamless syncing – Chats stay in sync between your phone and computer.
What are the system requirements for WhatsApp Desktop?
To use WhatsApp on your desktop, you’ll need the following:
- Windows
- Windows 10 64-bit version
- Windows 8.1 64-bit version
- Windows 8 64-bit version
- Mac
- macOS 10.13 and newer versions
- An active internet connection
- The WhatsApp mobile app installed on your smartphone
How to set up WhatsApp on your computer
Here are step-by-step instructions to set up and use WhatsApp on your desktop:
1. Install WhatsApp Desktop
First, you need to install the WhatsApp desktop app on your computer:
- For Windows: Go to https://www.whatsapp.com/download and click on “Download for Windows”. This will download the WhatsApp setup file for Windows. Run the file and follow the on-screen instructions.
- For Mac: Go to the WhatsApp downloads page and click on “Download for Mac”. This will download the WhatsApp .dmg file for Mac. Open this file and drag the WhatsApp icon into your Applications folder to install.
2. Scan the QR code
Open WhatsApp on your computer. You should see a QR code appear on the screen. Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap on the More options or Settings icon > Linked devices > Link a device.
Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on the desktop to scan it. This will link your phone to the desktop app.
3. Log in on desktop
You should now see all your WhatsApp chats from your phone displayed on the desktop app. Click on a chat to start messaging right from your computer!
Make sure your phone is still connected to the internet so that messages sync between devices.
How to use WhatsApp Desktop
Using WhatsApp on desktop works much the same as on your phone. Here are some tips:
- See all your chats in the left sidebar.
- Double click a chat to open it in a separate window.
- Type a message in the text box and hit Enter to send.
- Click the video or phone icon to make WhatsApp calls.
- Click on a chat’s name to see chat info and options.
- Use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl/Command + Shift + M to mute chats.
WhatsApp should automatically sync message history and new messages between your devices. If you see a “Reconnecting” message, check your internet connection.
Useful WhatsApp Desktop features
WhatsApp Desktop has some useful features that improve the messaging experience:
- Stickers and emojis – Send stickers and emoji just like on mobile.
- Media previews – See image, video and document previews in chats.
- Notifications – Get sound or visual notifications when someone messages you.
- Dark mode – Enable dark mode for an eye-friendly UX at night.
- Multitasking – Chat while working on other programs and documents.
- Attachments – Easily send documents, photos, videos from your computer’s file system.
Enable desktop notifications
To get notifications for new WhatsApp messages on desktop:
- Windows – Go to Settings > Notifications and turn on “Show Desktop Notifications”
- Mac – Go to WhatsApp > Preferences > Notifications and enable “Show in Notification Center”
Customize chat wallpaper
You can set a custom wallpaper for your WhatsApp chats:
- Right-click or long-press on a chat.
- Choose “Wallpaper” and select an image from your computer.
This will set a custom background image for that chat only.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Desktop issues
Here are some common troubleshooting steps if you face any problems using WhatsApp desktop:
Can’t scan QR code
- Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.
- Try reloading the QR code on desktop by clicking the reload icon.
- On your phone, check for any pending updates to WhatsApp.
- If needed, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your devices.
Chats and messages not syncing
- Check your internet connection on both devices.
- Force close and reopen WhatsApp on both platforms.
- Log out and log back in on the desktop app.
- Restart your phone and computer.
Can’t send or receive messages
- Check if you’re connected to the internet.
- Verify that your phone has cellular or WiFi connection.
- Try reinstalling WhatsApp if force closing it doesn’t help.
App crashed or won’t open
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Try restarting your computer/phone.
- Reinstall WhatsApp and set up your account again if needed.
Other issues
- Make sure your operating system and apps are up to date.
- Check WhatsApp system requirements and compatibility.
- Search WhatsApp FAQs and support for more troubleshooting tips.
- Report persistent bugs or problems directly to WhatsApp support.
Conclusion
Setting up WhatsApp on your computer is quick and easy. Just download the desktop app, link your phone, and start chatting. WhatsApp desktop provides a seamless messaging experience across devices. With useful features like desktop notifications, dark mode, easier typing and file sharing, WhatsApp can become an integral part of your desktop workflow. Follow this guide to get started and refer to the troubleshooting tips if you run into any issues using WhatsApp on your Mac or PC.