WhatsApp has become one of the most popular instant messaging platforms with over 2 billion active users worldwide. The ability to forward messages to multiple contacts at once is a useful feature in WhatsApp, especially on the desktop app which provides a bigger screen and better interface.
With the new multi-device capability where WhatsApp can be used on multiple devices simultaneously without needing the primary smartphone device to be connected to the internet, the web and desktop apps have become even more useful. Let’s look at how you can forward multiple messages to contacts, groups, or broadcast lists on WhatsApp desktop in the new updated version.
Prerequisites
Before forwarding multiple messages on desktop, you need to fulfill these prerequisites:
- Download and install the latest version of WhatsApp desktop app on your PC or Mac
- Link the WhatsApp desktop app with your WhatsApp account on your phone. This can be done by scanning the QR code in the desktop app using your phone’s WhatsApp.
- Your primary device where your WhatsApp account is registered should have an active internet connection
- Your WhatsApp desktop app should be updated to the latest version which supports multi-device
How to Select Multiple Messages
WhatsApp desktop app allows you to select and forward multiple messages in one go to any recipient. Here are the steps to select multiple messages on desktop:
- Open the WhatsApp chat with the messages you want to forward on the desktop app
- Click and drag the mouse cursor to highlight and select multiple messages
- You can also press and hold Shift key on the keyboard and click to select specific non-contiguous messages
- Once you’ve selected all the messages, right click on one of the highlighted messages
- Click on More > Forward Messages
This will select all the highlighted messages and open the forwarding window.
How to Forward Messages to a Contact
Follow these simple steps to forward multiple messages to any contact on WhatsApp desktop:
- Select the messages you want to forward as shown above
- Right click and click Forward Messages
- In the forwarding window, search and select the contact’s name or number you want to forward the messages to
- You can also select multiple contacts to forward the messages to
- Click the forward arrow to send the messages
The selected messages will be forwarded to your chosen recipients. You will see a confirmation that the messages have been forwarded.
How to Forward to a Group
WhatsApp lets you forward multiple messages to a group in one go. Here are the steps:
- After selecting messages to forward, right click and select Forward Messages
- In the forwarding window, tap on Groups to view your WhatsApp groups
- Search and select the group you want to forward the messages to
- Click the forward arrow to send the messages to the group
The messages will be forwarded to the group with your name or number visible to group members.
How to Forward to Broadcast List
You can also forward multiple WhatsApp messages to broadcast lists on desktop. Follow these steps:
- Select multiple messages and right click to Forward Messages
- In the forwarding window, tap on Broadcast Lists
- Select the broadcast list you want to forward to
- Confirm by clicking the forward arrow
The messages will be sent to all recipients saved in that broadcast list.
Forwarding Options
When forwarding messages on WhatsApp desktop, you have a couple of options to choose:
- Forward as copy – Forwards the messages as a copy so that any replies from recipients will not show up in your chat. The default setting.
- Forward as conversation – Forwards the messages with conversation history so that any replies from recipients will show up in your chat.
You can toggle between these options in the forwarding window.
Tips for Forwarding Messages
Here are some useful tips when forwarding multiple messages on WhatsApp desktop:
- You can select non-contiguous messages to forward by holding Shift key and clicking messages
- Tap the preview of forwarded messages to quickly edit or delete any message before forwarding
- Pay attention to only forward useful, relevant messages to recipients
- Make sure your primary device has an active internet connection when forwarding from desktop
- Check for any errors or unsent messages in case of poor connectivity
Troubleshooting
If you face any issues while forwarding WhatsApp messages on desktop, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Restart your desktop app and primary smartphone device
- Check your internet connection on the phone and reconnect it
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version on all devices
- Log out and log in again on WhatsApp desktop to sync messages
- Clear browser cache and cookies if using WhatsApp Web
- Report bugs to WhatsApp by going to Settings > Help
Conclusion
Forwarding multiple messages on WhatsApp desktop is easy and convenient with the ability to select and forward entire conversations. Make sure to only forward useful content and check for any errors in case messages fail to send.