How to use WhatsApp on a computer: 14 steps

You can use WhatsApp on a computer through its web-based application called WhatsApp Web. If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, it can be a good companion app. You do not need to chat or connect over the phone, as you can do so by typing on a computer. All the messages you exchange, whether on the web or on the phone, are synchronized so you can see them on both devices.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Sign in to WhatsApp Web

Step 1. Visit WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web will work with Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari, so open a new browser window or tab and type web.whatsapp.com in the address bar. You will see a QR code on the monitor. You must scan this code with your phone so you can activate and link your account.

Step 2. Open WhatsApp on the phone

Press the WhatsApp application on the phone. The app icon has the WhatsApp logo on it (that of a phone inside a chat box).

Step 3. Access the WhatsApp Web settings

Press the gear icon or the phone settings button to access the main menu of the application. Click on "WhatsApp Web" here. You will see a square to scan the QR code on the screen.

Step 4. Scan the code

Point the phone at the monitor with the QR code on it. Position the square so it can read the QR code. You don't need to tap or press anything. When the QR code has been read, you will access WhatsApp Web.

Part 2 of 4: Read messages

Step 1. Look at the WhatsApp Web interface

The WhatsApp Web interface is divided into two panels. The left panel contains all messages or chats, as does the inbox, and the right panel contains the current chat stream.

Step 2. Select a message to read it

The list of messages is in the left pane. You can scroll through it and click on the message you want to read.

Step 3. Read a message

The selected conversation will be displayed in the right pane by means of a chat window. You can scroll through the exchanges to read past messages.

Part 3 of 4: Chat

Step 1. Select a contact

Enter the name of the contact you want to talk to in the search field. The search field is at the top of the left panel. In the search results, click the name.

You can also continue a conversation from one of your existing messages. Just select a message to continue chatting as described in the “Read messages” section

Step 2. Look at the chat window

The chat window will appear in the right pane. The name or names of the people you are talking to will be displayed in the header bar.

Step 3. Send a message

The message box is located at the bottom of the right panel. Write your message here. Press Enter to send the message. You will see it appear in the chat thread.

You can send an image with the message. To do this, click on the clip icon in the header toolbar and click on the "image" option. A file explorer window will appear. Use it to navigate through your computer and click on the image you want to share.
You can also use emoticons as part of the message. Click on the smiley face icon in the message box. There are a wide variety of emoticons, icons, and images that you can use. Click on the ones you want to use.

Step 4. Read the messages

All messages exchanged during the conversation will be displayed in the chat thread. Each message is tagged with the name of the sender and with the date and time. Read them as they appear.

Part 4 of 4: Sign out of WhatsApp Web

Step 1. Delete a chat

If you don't want to save the current conversation, you can delete it. While in the chat window, click the button with three vertical dots in the header bar. Then click "Delete chat" here. This step is optional and you don't have to if you want to keep the conversation as part of your chat history.

Step 2. Log out

When you're done using WhatsApp Web, click the button with three vertical dots in the header bar of the left panel. Click "Sign out" here. You will log out and return to the main page of WhatsApp Web that contains the QR code.