WhatsApp Web: How to use the messaging app on PC, make video calls, and more

WhatsApp Web is an extension of the Facebook-backed messaging service for PCs and laptops. The feature allows users to access WhatsApp on computers using a web browser and send and receive messages. Unlike the WhatsApp app for PCs, the web doesn’t require any installation. It’s compatible with any browser out there, including Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera. The WhatsApp Web setup is quite easy and its visual interface is the same as the phone. Whether you’re typing a message from a phone or the web, everything stays the same. You’ll still get the double tick marks (for delivered messages), and they turn blue (when the recipient has read your message). Additionally, WhatsApp Web syncs all your messages and contacts so that you don’t have to juggle between your devices.

What is WhatsApp Web?

As stated above, the WhatsApp Web replicates your WhatsApp account to a PC or laptop. It’s a web client that requires a web browser to login. This can be done through a WhatsApp web link and QR code. Once you’re logged in, you can use pretty much all the features of the messaging platform directly from PC, including sharing documents, photos and videos. It even lets you view your friends’ stories, initiate new chats, change your profile photo, and use the search feature within chats.

The feature is extremely handy when you’re working on a PC or laptop and don’t feel like reaching out to your smartphone. It doesn’t matter which network your devices are connected to, as long as both your PC and smartphone have an active internet connection, the WhatsApp Web will work on any browser. All the chats on WhatsApp Web will be safe and synced to your phone so that you can pick up from where you left. You can also monitor your WhatsApp Web logins and logouts. If you’re wondering how to use WhatsApp on laptop/ PC, refer to the steps listed below.

How to use WhatsApp Web on computer/ laptop

To use WhatsApp on PC, open any web browser on your computer and type web.whatsapp.com on the search bar.
You’ll see a QR code on the page that needs to be scanned from the phone with WhatsApp.
To scan WhatsApp Web QR code from your smartphone, tap on the action overflow menu (three vertical dots) at the top right corner of the app.
Select WhatsApp Web and point the phone at the QR code.
If you want your PC to remember the login every time you use WhatsApp Web, select ‘Keep me signed-in option’ below the QR code.
That’s it, you’re done. Once connected, your phone will show a notification that you’re logged in to WhatsApp Web.

Note: Both your PC and smartphone require an active internet connection for WhatsApp Web to work.

How to make video call on WhatsApp Web

There is no provision of video/ voice calls on WhatsApp Web as of now. You can only send messages, files, and videos photos/ videos, check statuses, and archive and block chats using the tool. However, if reports are anything to go by, you’ll be able to make video and voice calls using WhatsApp Web soon. The Facebook-owned messaging platform has reportedly started rolling out call support for the web and desktop app for a handful of users. Those who have received the update will be able to see WhatsApp Web voice and video calling buttons in the chat header, next to the search icon.

If you can’t wait for the update and you absolutely need WhatsApp voice/ video call support on desktop, download Bluestacks app. The app is among the most popular Android emulators for PCs. Visit www.bluestacks.com to download the app. Once it’s installed, open WhatsApp and register with the phone number. That way, you’ll be able to make WhatsApp voice/ video calls via desktop. However, there’s one limitation – you’ll be logged out from the WhatsApp app on the smartphone as soon as you log in to the WhatsApp on Bluestacks.

How to logout from WhatsApp Web

You can logout from WhatsApp Web by clicking on the three vertical dots atop the chat box on the browser
The overflow menu will have the ‘log out’ option at the bottom
You can also logout from WhatsApp Web via the connected smartphone. To do so, tap on the three-dot icon –> select WhatsApp Web –> then ‘Log out from all devices’ option

How to check WhatsApp login and logouts on PC

WhatsApp Web logins and logouts can be monitored from the messaging app on the smartphone. To do so,

Open WhatsApp on your phone
Tap on the action overflow menu (three vertical dots) on the top right corner and select WhatsApp Web
The following screen will show you devices where you’ve logged in
You can log out from these devices all at once with the ‘Log out from all devices’ option or individually by tapping on them.
You may spot ‘+’ icon in the top right of the screen that can be used to add new devices. But, remember you can only use WhatsApp Web on one device at a time.

How to update status on WhatsApp Web

Unfortunately, you can’t update/ post status on WhatsApp Web. You’ll have to reach out to your smartphone to add WhatsApp status. That said, you can check your contact’s status using the web. To do that click on the ‘Status’ icon, next to your profile picture, and select any contact to view their status.

How to enable dark mode on WhatsApp Web

To enable dark mode on WhatsApp Web, jump to ‘Settings’
The option will be inside the three-dot icon, next to the new chat icon on the web
From there, select ‘Theme’
A small window with ‘Light’, ‘Dark’, and ‘System Default’ options will pop-up on your screen
Select the ‘Dark’ to enable dark mode on WhatsApp Web. If your system’s theme is also set on dark mode, you can select ‘System Default’ option as well.