While WhatsApp is primarily designed to be used on a mobile device, it can also be used on a Windows computer and MacBook by using three different methods as provided below in this guide.
The main advantage of using WhatsApp on a Windows PC or Mac is that it allows you to use a large screen, full sized keyboard and the superior processing power and large storage space of a computer.
Use WhatsApp on Windows Computer & Mac
You can use WhatsApp on a Windows computer or Mac by downloading and installing the Desktop version of WhatsApp on your computer and also by using WhatsApp Web, which does not require you to download any software.
However, both these methods are basically designed to bring your existing WhatsApp Account on a mobile device to computer. Hence, it is necessary to have a WhatsApp account on an iPhone or Android phone in order to use any of these methods.
In case you are interested, it is possible to use WhatsApp directly on a Windows computer, without having a WhatsApp mobile account by using the third method as provided below in this guide.
1. Use WhatsApp on Computer By Using WhatsApp Web
The simplest and the most uncomplicated way to use WhatsApp on a computer is by using WhatsApp Web, as it does not require you to download any software.
1. Open the Web browser on your computer and visit WhatsApp’s official web.whatsapp.com website.
2. Once you land on WhatsApp web page, you will see a QR Code and instructions to scan the QR Code using your iPhone or Android Phone.
3. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone > tap on your Profile tab (bottom-menu) and select Linked Devices.
Note: If you are using an Android phone, tap on 3-dots menu icon and select Linked Devices in the drop-down menu.
4. On Linked Devices screen, tap on Link a Device button and use the camera of your mobile device to scan the QR Code.
5. Once the QR Code is scanned by your mobile device, it will provide access to your entire WhatsApp Account on the large screen of your computer.
This allows you to send and receive WhatsApp messages from the computer and use WhatsApp, just like you do on your iPhone or Android phone.
2. Use WhatsApp Desktop App on Computer
As mentioned above, you can also use WhatsApp on computer by downloading and installing the Desktop version of WhatsApp on your computer.
You can download WhatsApp Desktop App on your computer by visiting web.whatsapp.com and also by going to Microsoft Store & the App Store (in the case of a Mac).
1. Open Microsoft Store (If using Windows) or open App Store (if using MacBook) on your computer
2. Search for WhatsApp and download WhatsApp on your computer.
3. After the App is downloaded, open WhatsApp and follow the instructions, until you see the QR Code.
Note: You can also select “link with phone number” instead of scanning, which results in a code being sent to your phone to input on the computer.
4. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone > tap on your Profile tab (bottom-menu) and select Linked Devices.
Note: If you are using an Android phone, tap on 3-dots menu icon and select Linked Devices in the drop-down menu.
5. On the next screen, select Link a Device option and use the camera of your mobile phone to scan the QR Code.
6. Once the QR Code is scanned, you will see all your WhatsApp messages appearing on the screen of your computer and you will be able to send and receive WhatsApp messages from your computer.
3. Use WhatsApp Directly on Computer Without Phone
As mentioned above, it is also possible to use WhatsApp directly on a Windows computer, without the need to have a WhatsApp Account on a mobile device.
The exact steps to use WhatsApp on computer without the need to have WhatsApp Account on a mobile device can be found in this guide: How to use WhatsApp on PC Without Phone.
Advantages of Using WhatsApp on Computer
1. Faster & Accurate tying: It is faster to type on a full scale keyboard of the computer, compared to typing on a mobile device.
2. Improved Performance: WhatsApp can use the full processing power, memory and speed of a laptop or desktop computer.
3. Large Storage: Unlike a mobile device, WhatsApp downloads (photos & videos) are unlikely to have any negative impact on the performance of a computer with a large storage capacity.
4. Easy to Attach Files: Easy to Attach Files (documents, photos, spreadsheets) located on the computer to WhatsApp messages.