WhatsApp is the most popular smartphone app for messaging. But did you know that you can also use WhatsApp on your PC? That works a lot easier.
WhatsApp is a useful app because it allows you to send messages to family, friends and others for free. Unfortunately, WhatsApp also has the limitation that you use it by default on your smartphone. Your account is connected to your mobile phone number. This means that typing messages is not always easy with the small on-screen keyboard. Also, reading messages on the mini screen is sometimes difficult.
That is why it is very nice that you can also use WhatsApp on your PC or laptop. Your keyboard and screen are big enough on that. You also have the option to send photos and videos directly from your computer.
The only thing you have to make sure is that your smartphone with WhatsApp on it has a connection with the internet. Also make sure that your smartphone has contact with the internet via Wifi and not 3G/4G, otherwise WhatsApp will be used on your computer at the expense of your call and internet bundle. And of course you must have a working WhatsApp account.
Windows 8, 10 and MacOS
To use WhatsApp on your PC or laptop, download the free software from the WhatsApp website. The software can be used in Windows 8 and 10 and MacOS.
If you use Windows 8 or 10, first check which version it is: 32-bit or 64-bit:
• Click on the start button.
• Click Settings (gear icon).
• Click System.
• Slide all the way down in the left box.
• Click About.
• The System type states whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system.
Download and install
Now that you know your Windows version, you can install the correct version of WhatsApp on your PC. For this you have to keep your smartphone at hand.
• Go to the website on your computer in your internet browser https://www.whatsapp.com/download/
• Click on the appropriate download link or button for your Windows version or MacOS.
• Click Save or Save File.
• In Explorer, go to the Downloads folder in the left box.
• Double click on WhatsApp Setup.
• If necessary, click Install Anyway.
Connect with your smartphone
You now connect the program on your PC to WhatsApp on your smartphone.
On your smartphone:
• Open WhatsApp.
• On an Android smartphone: Tap the three dots at the top right (Menu)
• On an iPhone: Tap Settings at the bottom.
• Tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
• If necessary, give permission for the camera. On an iPhone: via the WhatsApp settings on your smartphone, turn on Camera > go back to WhatsApp (possibly via WhatsApp at the top left) > tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop again if necessary. On an Android smartphone: Tap Continue > tap Allow.
• Point the back of your smartphone at the QR code (box with blocks) on your computer screen. If the QR code is no longer there: click Click to reload QR code.
Your WhatsApp account on your smartphone is now linked to the WhatsApp program on your computer. You can now use WhatsApp via your PC.
Send an app from your computer
WhatsApp on your PC works broadly the same as on your smartphone.
If you want to send an app to one of your contacts, do it like this:
• Tap the desired WhatsApp group on the left.
• The group opens.
• Type a message in the Type a message box at the bottom right. Look out! Do not press the Enter key prematurely, otherwise your message will be sent immediately.
• To add an emoticon or smiley, click the smiling face icon.
• Click on the desired emoticon.
• To type more text, click X.
• When you’re done with your message, click the arrow to the right of the text box.
• The message is sent.
You can now close WhatsApp by closing the window. You can also unsubscribe from WhatsApp by clicking … and then Unsubscribe.
Whatsapp on the tablet
On your tablet, go to the Google Play Store and download the app Tablet Messenger. When you open the app, you will see a large QR code. You will scan this with WhatsApp via your smartphone.
Open WhatsApp on your smartphone and click on the three dots at the top right. Then select “WhatsApp Web”; your camera will start up automatically. Scan the QR code on your tablet. WhatsApp now opens on your tablet and is ready to use.
In part 2 of this article you can see what else you can do with WhatsApp on your PC.
