It originated almost four years ago and has since become the preferred way for millions of users to chat with their friends and loved ones via the PC. WhatsApp Web is, without a doubt, one of the best inventions that emerged from the offices of WhatsApp and, although it is not a complete solution like Telegram or other competitors in the field of messaging, the tool offers everything – or almost everything – what is necessary for those moments when we prefer to use WhatsApp through the browser instead of using our smartphone.
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Despite being a simple and easy to use utility, WhatsApp Web hides many more secrets and curiosities than most users of the platform can imagine. In this guide, we will tell you about the most useful options, as well as numerous tips and tricks with which to get the most out of the web version of the messaging platform. Later we will see how to use WhatsApp Web on PC, tablet, and phone. But first, what is WhatsApp Web really?
Its name leaves no room for doubt- WhatsApp Web is nothing but the web version of WhatsApp. Initially, the functions of the tool were limited, and, among other things, it was not possible to send or receive documents and until several months after its birth, only some browsers were compatible. Fortunately, over time new features have come that have made WhatsApp Web a much more complete tool.
As for its operation, it is necessary to take into account the fact that WhatsApp Web requires a mobile phone associated and connected to the Internet at any time, otherwise, the application will not work. Although there are cross-platform alternatives such as Telegram that offer the possibility to continue chats on computers or other devices such as tablets, without the need to keep the phone connected to the user’s account connected. Furthermore, due to the system used by WhatsApp Web, on more than one occasion we had to report discovered security problems or breaches that would allow attackers to spy on user conversations.
WhatsApp Web- How to use WhatsApp Web on PC, tablet, and phone
1. How to use WhatsApp Web on the computer
One of the great strengths of WhatsApp Web compared to other desktop messaging platforms is its ease of use. Any user, new or advanced, can use WhatsApp Web without too many complications. To do this, you just need to follow a few simple steps:
- On your computer, open the web version of WhatsApp.
- On your mobile device, open the WhatsApp app and click on the three-dot button at the top right.
- In the options menu, click on “WhatsApp Web”.
- If necessary, authorize WhatsApp to access the camera.
- Scan the QR code that appears in the web version of WhatsApp with the mobile phone camera
Once the connection is established, all conversations will appear in the web version of WhatsApp and it will be possible to continue any chat through the computer monitor without having to use the smartphone. WhatsApp Web works with any current browser, be it Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, Microsoft Edge, or others.
Can I use WhatsApp Web without a mobile device or without a QR code?
As mentioned above, and since WhatsApp warns immediately after making the connection, the smartphone must always remain connected to the Internet, otherwise, there may be problems such as that of messages that do not arrive or temporary disconnections. Therefore, we cannot turn off the phone, remove the SIM card, or disable Wi-Fi or data. Therefore, at least today, there is no way to use WhatsApp Web without having a mobile phone connected. And there is no other method than the QR code.
2. How to use WhatsApp Web on an Android tablet or iPad
Although the tool was designed to use WhatsApp via the browser on a computer, WhatsApp Web does not impose limitations when using the app on mobile devices. In this way, as we explain later, it is possible to use WhatsApp on an Android tablet via WhatsApp Web. Follow these steps:
- On the tablet, open the browser and, from the options menu, activate “desktop mode”.
- Access the WhatsApp web page.
- Scan the QR code with your mobile phone.
- Once scanned, all conversations will appear on the tablet screen.
3. How to use WhatsApp Web on an Android phone or iPhone
And if you were wondering- yes, you can also use WhatsApp Web on an Android or iOS mobile device. In this way, you can use your WhatsApp account on two mobile devices simultaneously, one with the messaging platform app and the other with its web version. To do this, the process is very similar to the previous one:
- On your mobile device, open the browser and, from the options menu, activate “desktop mode”.
- Access the WhatsApp web page.
- Scan the QR code with your mobile phone.
- Once scanned, all conversations will appear on the second mobile phone’s screen and you can continue to use the app on the first one.
What to do if WhatsApp Web doesn’t work
Among the most common problems of the web version of WhatsApp, there are connection problems, messages that do not arrive, or other types of problems during the connection between the mobile phone and the computer. Although these failures can be due to a multitude of causes, these are some of the most common and solutions are also found:
- Phone connection problems: if your mobile phone has network problems or is not connected to a fairly stable network, WhatsApp Web may not work. Try connecting to another Wi-Fi network – if possible – or to the mobile data network.
- Connection problems on the computer: similarly, if there are connectivity problems on the computer, WhatsApp Web will not work and it is probably necessary to solve the problems before trying to reconnect.
- Messages are not received– unfortunately there is no specific cause related to messages not received via WhatsApp Web, and in this case, the only recommendation they offer us from the official support page of the application, is to disconnect from WhatsApp Web and reconnect again.
WhatsApp Web- How to use WhatsApp Web on PC, tablet and phone and the best tricks
We already know what WhatsApp Web is and how the messaging application is used with multiple users on the planet through a computer. Now is the time to get the most out of this utility, through various useful tips and tricks that not everyone knows.
1. Compress WhatsApp Web to the max with its keyboard shortcuts
Another advantage of using WhatsApp across the web is the ability to use a physical keyboard to write messages. This also allows you to take advantage of the platform, even more, thanks to a series of keyboard shortcuts supported by WhatsApp Web, which can be useful in various situations. This is the complete list:
- Ctrl + N: create a new chat
- Ctrl + Shift +]– next chat
- Ctrl + Shift + [– previous chat
- Ctrl + E– Archive chat
- Ctrl + Shift + M: Turn off chat
- Ctrl + Space: Delete the chat
- Ctrl + Shift + U: Mark as unread
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new group
- Ctrl + P: Open profile
2. Find emojis as fast as possible
To write emojis without having to search for them, WhatsApp Web offers suggestions when writing a word followed by a colon “:”. In this way, various emojis related to the entered word will appear.
3. Read the messages without the other contacts knowing
If you have not turned off the double blue checkmark of WhatsApp, but at a specific time you want to read a message without another contact knowing it, you can do it with WhatsApp Web. To do this, just leave the mouse cursor on the content of the message in the chat list, until a small pop-up balloon appears with the content of the entire message.
4. Send files quickly from mobile to computer (and vice versa)
Several months ago we already explained how to use WhatsApp as a personal cloud in which to store messages and private files. It is enough to create a group in which there is no one except ourselves. This can also be very useful when sending files between your computer and mobile phone quickly and without resorting to third party services. It will be sufficient to attach any file to the conversation, either from the web version or from the WhatsApp mobile app, and download it on the other platform. It’s that simple.
5. Use WhatsApp as another program on your computer
You don’t need to open the WhatsApp website every time you want to use it on your computer. In fact, it is much more convenient to use the tool in the form of a browser-based desktop application.
To do this, once, inside WhatsApp Web, you just have to click on the options menu of the browser you are using and look for the option “Create shortcut”, “Send to desktop or similar”. The WhatsApp icon will appear on the main screen of the computer and every time you want to access the messaging app, you will only have to run the program as if it were any other app.
6. Use multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same computer
Open WhatsApp Web in the browser and log in. Now, open an incognito tab from the same browser, enter WhatsApp Web and log in with another account. Voila, you’re using two WhatsApp accounts on the same device.
7. Activate the dark mode of WhatsApp Web
Although everything indicates that its arrival is imminent, WhatsApp does not yet have a dark mode. The same goes for your web version. However, as we have seen in more detail at the moment, it is possible to activate the dark theme on WhatsApp Web simply by using a browser extension and downloading the corresponding theme.
