In a world of hyperconnectedness, our smartphones are the gateways to all of our information. But keeping busy between a PC for work and a phone for sending messages can make the difference between focus and productivity. What if you could go from computer to computer with your contacts, or vice versa? Enter WhatsApp Web, a browser-based extension of the world’s most popular messaging app and, for many of us, a game-changing improvement on how we communicate from our desks.
What Exactly is WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp Web is a mirrored version of your mobile WhatsApp account in your computer’s web browser. WhatsApp Web is not a separate standalone service itself, however, all of your messages are in real-time sync with your phone so you’ll need to have your phone connected to the internet for WhatsApp Web to work. Projection of your interface into a larger screen with a physical keyboard provides a familiar yet more enhanced means of managing your chats, sending files and keeping track without ever having to put your device down. The whole thing is meant to be incredibly simple, secure and easy.
Getting Started: The Simple Steps to Connect
The great thing about this tool is that it’s pretty easy to use. For starters, you’ll need to do the setup to create a username and password for your WhatsApp account. First, open your preferred web browser on your computer (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) and head to web. whatsapp. com. Once there, you’ll get a QR code for the account. Then grab your phone and open WhatsApp on your computer. Tap the three-dot menu (Android) or Settings (iOS) and select Linked Devices. Tap ‘Link a Device’. Now press and hold down the camera on your phone and point it at the QR code on your computer screen, and in a few seconds, the two will be synced together. You don’t have to type a password here you just need to point your phone at the code. After your chats are synced up, they’ll appear.
A Boost to Productivity and Multitasking
This is where WhatsApp Web does its real magic. For professionals as well as students it’s a game changer. Being able to type your messages on a large screen is like magic. You can write anything from extremely lengthy responses to editing documents, or join chats for groups with thumbs you’ll never see compared to this: it eliminates the nagging connection between your work software and the messaging app on your phone, giving you more time to focus. You can drag and drop files from a desktop directly into a chat to send presentations, PDFs or photos directly to people you’re messaging, without the extra steps of saving them to your mobile phone first. It incorporates messaging seamlessly into your workflow.
Mastering the Features: More Than Just Text
At its core the service is used for messaging, but WhatsApp Web supports almost everything you have on your mobile device. You can view and send pictures, videos, and documents easily. You can play voice messages right from your browser, and you can even record new ones (using your computer’s microphone). With group chats a whole lot easier than with phones, you can see more participants and find them easier to navigate. It also supports audio and video calls, which is perfect if you’re away from your smartphone in the middle of a meeting (and don’t forget, the chatter’s charging! ). And there’s a “Log out” option on the app too if you need to make a WhatsApp Web for your local area network.
Security and Peace of Mind
Privacy is a fundamental part of WhatsApp, and it’s not just on the mobile version. The same encrypted, end-to-end security that your messages are covered by on mobile also works on WhatsApp Web. You’ll be able to pair the first time with a QR code this way (it’s as secure as it gets). In addition, you can view all the devices you’ve connected from the “Linked Devices” menu on your phone. You can also log out remotely from any computer by clicking “Log Out From” in the same interface.
Overcoming Common Hiccups
Like any technology there’s bound to be bugs or problems that cause it to crash. The most common in most cases is a connection failure, which usually means that your phone has lost its internet connection. If your session was ended you’ll just need to restart a new WhatsApp web login by scanning the QR code again. You can also make sure that your browser is up to date, and clear your cache if you encounter minor issues, but the whole point is to have your phone online as long as possible.
The Verdict: An Indispensable Tool
WhatsApp Web really isn’t just a “whatsapp accessory. ” It’s one of the essential tools you can have on hand while working on a computer. It allows you to bring your messages into your work area wherever you choose, at your convenience. Whatsapp Web has all of the bells and whistles of the mobile app: Full keyboard, large screen and file sharing so you can easily share your messages and photos with other people, without letting them visit your phone’s contacts list. When you’re sitting down at your desk, sit back and complete the quick ‘whatsapp web’ login process, then maybe this cool tool will also become your phone—and your own.
