Within this guide I want to show you how to use WhatsApp for PC. This is more than just versions for Windows 7, 8, and 10 but also options for Mac users as well. I want to give you the latest download links for the WhatsApp desktop application.
Hello everyone! My name is Frankie and I am an expert in messaging apps and an avid fan for hacking techniques. If you are new to the blog, welcome and I hope that you enjoy the content we provide.
In today’s blog I want to talk about how to use WhatsApp for PC. There are many ways that you can use this on desktops and laptops – even a trick to let you download WhatsApp for PC on your Windows 7 operating system. I would like to remind you that currently, the software is designed to run on the Windows 8.1 system and higher (both the 64 and 32 bit.) If you do not know what version you have, you can click on this link here to find out.
Using the program can be convenient for many reasons. I personally use it at work to check messages on a larger screen. Not only this, but using a full size keyboard can often be substantially more convenient for lengthy conversations.
Let’s not waste any more time and get right to it.
In the beginning of this guide I want to show you how to install and begin using the WhatsApp Desktop client, then I can show you how to use the WhatsApp Web service, and finally how you can emulate a smartphone on a PC or Mac using BlueStacks.
So, let’s learn how to use WhatsApp on your PC/Mac.
JUST A MOMENT! Before continuing to read, check out this video:
Using WhatsApp on Your PC or Laptop
1. WhatsApp Desktop App
What you are going to need:
- Windows 8.1 / Mac 10.10 or newer operating system
- Reliable internet connection
- Smartphone in hand and also connected to a network
Let’s take a look at the steps.
The first thing you have to do is to download the desktop app for WhatsApp.
If you have a PC running 8.1 or higher, you can click on this official link to the Microsoft store to download it directly. Once you have downloaded it, look for the file WhatsAppSetup.exe in your recent downloads. If you have Windows 7 I will show you alternative methods to get the official app on your computer later.
Using a Mac running macOS 10.10 or newer? Click here to get direct access to the Apple App Store and download the desktop version of the message application. You will be left with a .dmg file for installation.
Once you complete the download, continue with the installation on either platform.
- On Windows, look for an icon in the “Start menu” and you can begin using the WhatsApp service.
- With Mac, complete the installation and move the software icon to the “Applications” folder. Launch by double clicking the newly available icon.
Once you have the software up and running, synchronize your phone with WhatsApp Web for PC. Open WhatsApp on your smartphone (either iPhone or Android.)
- On an Android, choose the three dots in the top right and tap on WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
- On an iPhone, click a gear in the lower right of the screen to choose WhatsApp Web/Desktop as well.
Scan the QR code that appears on the screen of the computer at this point, enabling data transmission.
Now you have access to the full list of chat conversations and contacts with WhatsApp connected directly to your computer.
Congratulations!
You have now officially linked your phone account with the computer application.
I can redirect you to the official video that WhatsApp released on the subject to answer any lingering questions you might have and help to walk you through the steps again.
Frankie’s Take:
As you have seen, it is a simple process at its core, requiring no IT or technological skills. The GUI of WhatsApp on a PC is similar to what is on your mobile devices. To the left you can find the chats and groups and messages will be on the right side.
2. Using WhatsApp Web
What you will need:
- A PC or Mac
- Internet connection
- A smartphone connected to WhatsApp
Another way of getting WhatsApp on your PC is through the direct service WhatsApp Web.
What is this?
Allow me to put it plainly – this is a web app of the popular messaging service that can be accessed and used through an internet browser.
Basically, this works like a standalone website. Currently, it is able to run on the most popular of browsers on the marketplace, including Chrome, Opera, Mozilla, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. There are few limitations and differences between the desktop application and the web service.
Access is almost child’s play!
- Head over to web.whatsapp.com (clicking this link works as well)
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and sync the app to the online service. You can do this in different ways, which depend on the type of smartphone that you use. For Androids, open the App menu and click the three dots, and click on WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the generated QR Code with your camera on the smartphone.
- You can now begin using the WhatsApp Web service immediately.
That’s it – you have done it!
Frankie’s Take:
You can avoid having to repeat these steps every time you want to use WhatsApp Web by choosing the “Keep me signed in” option at the bottom left. Disconnecting the device can be done through settings of the web service or through the mobile phone menu. On your phone you have the option to sign out everywhere.
3. Alternative Methods – BlueStacks Android Emulation
What you will need:
- Any PC or Mac
- Google Play Account
- Internet Connection
One of the most preferred alternative methods to get WhatsApp without the Desktop App or the web service is through BlueStacks. This program emulates an Android operating system on your PC and Mac.
To put it plainly, this program allows you to run Android-specific apps directly from your computer.
Using the app is simple.
- Download and install BlueStacks to your PC or Mac. You can do it by clicking on the Download BlueStacks button on the homepage. You can get there by clicking this link.
- Log in to your Google account on the Play Store. If you are an Apple user and do not have a Google profile yet, you can create one for free in a few minutes.
- In the top right corner, use the search function to find WhatsApp.
- Install WhatsApp to your device.
- Click the icon for the app on your main screen to use it through the emulator.
That’s all you need to do!
Frankie’s Take:
I would recommend using this method in only situations like when your phone has been stolen and you need to access WhatsApp, or if your PC is too old to use the dedicated WhatsApp Desktop option.
More About WhatsApp for PC
In the first part of the guide I showed you some of the ways that you can get WhatsApp on your PC or Mac.
You are likely going to have some questions, such as the main differences between your options listed above, or the risks of using WhatsApp on your PC versus your phone.
Worry not – I am here to answer all of these questions and more.
Let’s get right to it, then.
What are the Differences Between WhatsApp Desktop, WhatsApp Web, and WhatsApp Through an Emulator?
You might say, Frankie can you tell me a little more about the differences between all of my options for using WhatsApp on my computer?
Yeah, of course – let me break it down for you.
WhatsApp Web and the Desktop version are two types of this messaging service that at first glance might appear to be identical.
Let me start by saying that there are no real major differences in terms of available features. Both of these options offer the same benefits or limitations. The graphical user interface is almost exactly the same, making it difficult to distinguish between the two at a quick glance.
So, then what are the differences?
As I mentioned earlier, WhatsApp Web is a service that can get used through your browser.
This means that it is going to perform more like a webpage (just like connecting to a website.) You will have to reload this each time that you close out of your preferred web browser.
WhatsApp Desktop is a real application designed to get used as a program on your computer. It is installed and run through your operating system, making it much more integrated to your device.
So, you can make the most of connected devices like your camera and microphone when your launch begins from your computer. Everything is more direct than accessing features through the website.
When you are using the standalone application, you do not need to reconnect each time that you close out of a session or delete the browser cookies. The application continues to stay active in the background, but if completely closed, will continue to permanently store your access. If you want to log out of the service, you need to do so manually through settings.
Then what about the BlueStacks emulation?
You can expect BlueStacks to work exactly like the WhatsApp service that you have on your phone. You can send voice messages, make/receive voice and video calls, send emojis, and attach files.
The only primary limitation to the BlueStacks approach is that it cannot allow you to use the service on your phone and through the emulation. You have to disconnect the internet connection to your cellphone (or place it on airplane mode) to use Whatsapp on the PC emulated version.
Frankie’s Take:
Would you like to know which one of these I would encourage you to use? I would lean everyone towards the standalone application when it works for you. It is practical and convenient. WhatsApp Web is a suitable alternative, but you can always fall back on BlueStacks in an absolute pinch.
What Are the WhatsApp Desktop and WhatsApp Web Features?
Now that you have a better grasp of the differences between WhatsApp Web and the Desktop client, you should learn a little more about the features available to better grasp what you can (and cannot do) on the computer.
While you can still easily send messages to individuals and groups, some of the options you might expect are unavailable at this time with the PC versions.
Let me make a quick list of the features that you can expect to see:
- Send messages to individuals and groups
- Take part in broadcasts
- Capture, view, and send media
- Record and obtain voice messages (if you have a microphone)
- Use GIFs, stickers, and emojis
- Create groups
In the same sense, there are some things that you cannot do that you otherwise can on your phone, such as:
- Make voice and video calls with VoIP
- Create and post status updates
- Write with different formatting options
- Make conference or video conference calls on VoIP
Presently, you can only do these things on the mobile version or through the emulator using BlueStacks.
Frankie’s Take:
With a search on the web, you can find that the Desktop version of WhatsApp offers a lot of great features. You can also have it integrated into other services and apps on your PC, including Chrome extensions like Instazzap or WAToolkit. There are many possibilities for new features.
How Do I Disconnect my WhatsApp Account from a PC?
If you want to disconnect your account from your PC, either through WhatsApp Web or the Desktop, here is what you need to do:
- Open up WhatsApp on your iPhone or Android device
- Go to Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop
- Choose to log out of all devices
If you want to protect your privacy, this is a good habit to get into whenever you are not actively using your computer all of the time. This can prevent you from getting into unpleasant situations when a curious partner decides to begin reading private conversations on your WhatsApp account because it signs in by default.
FAQs for WhatsApp on PC
QUESTION NO. 1
How Can I Use WhatsApp on PC without a Phone?
The only way that you can use WhatsApp on your PC without having a smartphone is through the BlueStacks Emulator software. The entire premise of this program is to pretend to be a working smartphone on your PC.
QUESTION NO. 2
Can I Use Two Accounts on the Same Computer?
Yes, you can. For one of these, you can use the WhatsApp Desktop client, while the other can be accessed through the WhatsApp Web service on an Incognito setting of your browser.
Conclusion
That is all I have for you at this time – I have given you all the information that I currently have on the topic.
Before we part ways, here are some of the basic steps again for using WhatsApp on your PC or Mac.
- Download the Desktop client or open the WhatsApp Web page
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap on WhatsApp Web/Desktop from the menu
- Scan the available QR code to link this account with the PC
Alternatively, you can forgo these two methods with an Android Emulator for your PC, and I believe the best to be BlueStacks.
Beyond the steps that I showed you, you also know more about the differences between the Desktop and Web versions of WhatsApp and the main features of each.
Hopefully this has answered any questions that you might have, but if you have more concerns or doubts, you can always leave a comment in the box below and I will reach out to give you hand.
Come back soon for more news and hacks surrounding WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
A hug,
PS – Did you know that WhatsApp has so many secret features that very few people know about? I’ve listed them all in my guide top 40 secret whatsapp tips and tricks you should know.
