If you are an avid user of WhatsApp like me, you would have wished there was a version of WhatsApp for PC. Guess what? There is now. WhatsApp has launched an official way to use WhatsApp on Desktop and I am going to show you how to use it.
However, before we move on to the official version, let me introduce you to a clever workaround found by App for PCs people. This has been around since January 2013 and allows you to use WhatsApp from PC using Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. The idea is to download an Android emulator called BlueStacks that allows you to then use your PC as if it were an Android phone. This is much easier to use and provides a seamless experience. However, Bluestacks has a lot of errors that people run into, which is not surprising as it is an emulator.
The official WhatsApp for Desktop application is not as good as the hack by App for PCs, but it does not require you to download any software. It is a web based platform and only seems to play nice with Google Chrome browser. Sorry Mozilla and Safari fan-boys.
In order to use WhatsApp on PC you need to visit their website at http://web.whatsapp.com/
Once you go to that website, it will show you a QR code that you need to scan using your phone. You need to open your WhatsApp messenger, go to WhatsApp Web option which is located at various places based on which phone you are using. If you are a proud owner of an iPhone you are left behind this time. WhatsApp web is not available for iPhone at the time of writing this article. Our sources tell us they are working on it.
Once you have logged in, WhatsApp web will let you use WhatsApp from your browser just as you would use it on your phone. However, you need to make sure your phone is connected to the Internet and is turned on. Otherwise, it will disconnect your web session too. Doesn’t sound like too much fun? Think of your sore fingers typing using your tiny keyboard on your phone. It may be worth it.
WhatsApp in a company blog post says, “Our web client is simply an extension of your phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device — this means all of your messages still live on your phone.” While this has some application, it is “meh” at best. It would be so much better if I could use my desktop-based WhatsApp even when my phone battery is dead. But that is not possible for now.
Nevertheless, it is good to see that a company that got $19Billion from Facebook is not sitting idle. The web interface is a right step towards future. iPhone availability of this feature would be next and a native desktop app would be the ultimate expectation from users worldwide. Till then, be happy using WhatsApp on PC using App for PCs method.
Do you have any feature that you would like us to bring to the attention of Team WhatsApp? Please leave it as a comment below.
