How does WhatsApp Web work, how to activate it, and above all, how to use it? Here is a guide to using the app on a PC and its limitations compared to smartphones.
An extremely easy-to-use instant messaging service, WhatsApp allows you to communicate with anyone you want, at any time and from any place. Considering its great utility, therefore, it may be interesting to know that it is possible to use Whatsapp also from a PC.
All thanks to an ad hoc service that allows you to have the application that we have already installed on the smartphone on the screen of your computer. This is WhatsApp Web. But what is it, how does it work, and above all how to activate it? Here is everything you need to know about it.
What is Whatsapp Web
WhatsApp Web is nothing more than an online application that allows you to use the well-known instant messaging application on your PC without having to download any type of software.
It is possible to connect conveniently from the browser, as long as the connection is simultaneously active on both the computer and the smartphone since it is in all respects the reproduction on the computer screen of the same app that we have installed on the smartphone.
How Whatsapp Web works
WhatsApp is used mainly from the app on the smartphone, for this reason, it is more than normal to have some doubts about how to use WhatsApp Web, especially when you find yourself accessing WhatsApp from the PC for the first time.
Well, WhatsApp Web essentially allows you to use WhatsApp when it is not possible to use the app or you do not have your smartphone at hand.
It is sufficient to connect to the Web version from the most popular browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, scan the QR Code and in a few seconds all the functions of WhatsApp, such as sending and receiving messages, but also sharing links, photos and videos, calling and video calls are also available on the computer.
Once you log in to WhatsApp Web, you will discover that it is really very simple to use, since its functions are similar to those of the application. You can therefore send messages, emojis, images, audio files, animated GIFs, and videos. WhatsApp Web, it is good to remember, is not another WhatsApp account.
It follows that, when you start WhatsApp from a PC, you are simultaneously using the same profile on two different devices. All WhatsApp conversations are synchronized between your smartphone and your computer, and any action performed from the app will also be applied on your PC and vice versa.
How to activate and connect to WhatsApp Web: the step-by-step procedure
WhatsApp Web is compatible with almost all major systems. However, there are some requirements that you must necessarily have to access WhatsApp Web, such as:
- have an active WhatsApp account on your number;
- a stable Internet connection on both your phone and your computer;
- the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, or Edge web browsers.
To use WhatsApp from your computer, you don’t need to download any particular program, just go to WhatsApp Web with the latest version of a PC browser.
The important thing is that your smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi or 4G/5G network. This is because the desktop version essentially mirrors the app on your smartphone. So if your mobile device doesn’t have a data connection, you can’t use WhatsApp on another device.
Once this necessary premise has been made, let’s go into detail and see how to
activate WhatsApp Web. Well, to do this you must:
- start the browser from your PC and access the website web.whatsapp.com;
- open WhatsApp from your smartphone and, if you use Android, press Menu, or the three dots at the top, then "Connected devices" and "Connect a device";
- if, instead, you are using an iPhone you need to press on Settings, which is located at the bottom right, then always on "Connected devices" and then on "Connect a device";
- at this point you need to point the phone towards the computer screen and frame the QR code. If requested, you need to confirm access to WhatsApp Web with the biometric authentication method activated on your smartphone such as Touch ID or Face ID;
- within a few seconds WhatsApp Web is active on your PC, ready to be used.
How to use Whatsapp Web
Once started, using WhatsApp Web is really very easy. It has the same features as the version that is commonly used on your smartphone.
Not only that, you can also set notifications, thanks to which you can be notified on the desktop when you receive a new message. To activate WhatsApp Web notifications, simply select the item "Activate desktop notifications" located at the top left and authorize the browser to show alerts.
To use WhatsApp on your computer, it is important to point out that your smartphone must be constantly connected to the WhatsApp Web client to continue using the various functions of sending and receiving messages.
WhatsApp Web: how to disconnect your profile from all devices?
Once you have finished using WhatsApp Web, for privacy reasons, we invite you to disconnect from the application.
Finally, simply start WhatsApp from your smartphone, then on Settings, Connected Devices and press on Disconnect .
Difference between WhatsApp from smartphone and WhatsApp Web
They are the same service. This is because Whatsapp Web is nothing more than the version of WhatsApp that can be used from your computer without having to download the application. Once you have finished using it, as already mentioned, it is best to disconnect, to prevent someone from reading our conversations secretly, remotely.
WhatsApp Web, in fact, is considered the simplest and most effective method to spy on the contents sent and received through the well-known instant messaging application.
Difference between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop
Finally, after seeing how WhatsApp Web works, let’s explain what the difference is between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop. Well, in both cases it is the same instant messaging service that allows you to chat, call, video call, send photos, and so on.
The substantial difference is that while WhatsApp Web is an online application to be used from the browser, WhatsApp Desktop must be downloaded directly onto the device. It is in all respects an application for computers or tablets.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-10-24 17:24:35. Original title: WhatsApp Web, come funziona e come attivarlo e usarlo
