Since, most of our active documents and files are produced and located on a computer, it can be useful to get familiar with the steps to attach files located on the computer to a WhatsApp message and send them to any of your Individual or Group Contacts on WhatsApp.
This can be useful; as WhatsApp is widely being used by millions of regular users, entrepreneurs and businesses of varying sizes to send Invoices, Receipts, Contracts and other types of documents. In-fact, even large enterprises can be seen integrating WhatsApp Business API into their business applications.
Attach Files from Computer to WhatsApp Message
The first step that is required to Attach Files from Computer to WhatsApp Message is to access your WhatsApp Account on a Windows computer or MacBook by using WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop App.
Once your WhatsApp Account becomes available on the computer, attaching files from computer to WhatsApp messages becomes more or less the same as attaching files from computer to Email Messages.
1. Attach Files to WhatsApp Message Using WhatsApp Web
The easiest way to attach files from computer to WhatsApp Messages is by making use of WhatsApp Web; which does not require you to download any software.
1. Open the Web Browser on your computer and go to web.whatsapp.com; where you will see a QR Code and the instructions to scan the QR Code.
2. Follow the instructions to scan the QR Code; using the Rear-camera of your iPhone or Android Phone and this will open your WhatsApp Account on the computer.
Note: If you are unable to scan the QR code or need detailed instructions, you can refer to this guide: How to Use WhatsApp on Computer (PC & Mac).
3. After your WhatsApp Account becomes available on the computer, open the Contact or Message thread of the person that you want to send the Files to.
4. Tap on Plus icon located prior to the Message box and select “Document” to send PDF, Word and other types of Documents and select “Photos & Videos”; if you are sending image and video files.
5. On the next screen, locate & select the File/Files that you want to attach to the Message and click on open
6. After the File/Files are attached to WhatsApp message, write your Message on tap on the Send button to send the Message; along with attached file to your Contact.
Note: If you forget anything, you can attach more files to your WhatsApp Message by clicking on the +ADD FILE Icon that appears on the Message.
Is It Safe to Send Files Using WhatsApp
When you attach a document, photo or any other type of file to WhatsApp message, it gets encrypted (even before it leaves your phone) with a cryptographic key that is made available only to your device and the device of your recipient.
When you hit the send button, the encrypted file gets uploaded to WhatsApp Cloud severs in an unreadable ciphertext format; which WhatsApp cannot see, read or access. The encrypted file gets unlocked and becomes readable; only when it is downloaded by the recipient.
Once the file is downloaded, it remains stored on the device of the recipient in an unencrypted form; which makes it subject to security practices & features; as available on the device of the recipient.
Is Sending Documents by Email Safer Than WhatsApp
When you attach files to an Email Message; the Email & its attachments are encrypted only while they are transiting between mail servers; after which they get unlocked and remain on the servers of Email Service provider (Google, Microsoft or corporate email servers) in an unencrypted form.
This means; files attached to an email message can potentially be read by someone with access to the server. While WhatsApp Messages, along with photos, videos, documents and other types of files attached to a WhatsApp Message are all protected by end-to-end encryption by default.
Enterprise Compliance – Email Vs WhatsApp
While WhatsApp is fast, easy to use and provides more security; due to its end-to-end encryption feature, it is still viewed as a Messaging App and lacks the “corporate formality” associated with Email.
Email has acquired a dependable built-in compliance infrastructure; acquired over decades of use by large enterprises and regulated industries like Finance, Health Care, Legal & Governmental agencies; which allows them to archive, search and place holds on emails for regulatory bodies.
However, WhatsApp appears to be catching up and may end up matching the business/legal trustiness & formality associated with Email; as more businesses continue adopting the process of integrating WhatsApp Business API into LeapExpert, Smarsh & other compliance archiving software.