Technology

How To Activate And Use WhatsApp Web 2023 – Incredibly Easy Guide

In this article today, I will be showing you how you could activate and use WhatsApp web from your computer or laptop. Whatsapp has grown to be one of the most used messenger applications in the world with billion of users worldwide. In this busy world, having to use WhatsApp on many devices securely could be better. The WhatsApp web has made this possible and in this article, I will show you how to use WhatsApp web.

Introduction

What is WhatsApp Web?

It provides a platform where users can send out messages and receive one, will the added advantage of sending files like documents, audio messages and videos. WhatsApp also has the option of using the web version, also known as WhatsApp web. This web version is almost the same as the smartphone application version, the only downside is that you won’t be able to make voice calls or video calls.

Article on How to use WhatsApp web

Why use WhatsApp Web?

I have compiled several reasons why you should use WhatsApp web today. Some of the advantages you will experience when using WhatsApp Web include;

  1. You won’t need your phone around as much. By linking your WhatsApp account with WhatsApp web, you will be able to receive messages without the need of using your phone, this is ideal and will minimize the use of your phone.
  2. It has an easy-to-use Navigation system. You don’t need to be a tech guru to use WhatsApp web. You can navigate it as easily as you did in your normal smartphone WhatsApp application.
  3. Real-time synchronization. Messages are updated in real-time, therefore you will be able to receive messages instantly on WhatsApp web as you did on the real application.
  4. No compromise on security. WhatsApp web is a product of WhatsApp, and therefore you still enjoy the same security features such as end-to-end encryption of your data.
  5. Improved messaging capability. I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to type long messages on WhatsApp using my phone. This is because of the small keyboard. On my Chromebook on the other hand, using my keyboard makes things easier for me. Let me know in the comments section if you experience the same.
  6. File sharing using computers is made possible. When you are not connected to a laptop and you would like to share a file with a friend via WhatsApp, you have to send the file to the smartphone first before sharing it. If you have linked to WhatsApp web, you will only need to upload the file and share it, therefore a lot of time and effort will be saved.

How To Get Started with WhatsApp Web

How to access WhatsApp Web

Accessing WhatsApp web is pretty simple, but before you do it, you need to make sure your WhatsApp android or IOS application is up-to-date. If not, you can update it by simply searching for WhatsApp on your Mobile App store, and clicking on Update.

Remember, you need to have data bundles for this update, so make sure you have enough airtime to purchase the data bundles, for example, Safaricom bundles for those in Kenya. After updating the application, access the WhatsApp web website by clicking here.

Visit web.whatsapp.com Scan QR Code using your WhatsApp QR Code Scanner

Once you have accessed the WhatsApp Web website, you will be required to scan a QR code from your Smartphones’ WhatsApp application. To scan this code from your phone;

  1. Open your phone’s application menu and scroll to find WhatsApp Application. You could also just search for it if your phone has the search feature.
  2. On the chat Section of the messaging app(WhatsApp), click on the three dots located in the top right corner of the WhatsApp dashboard.
  3. Select the linked devices option. This is what we will use to link our WhatsApp account to the WhatsApp web version. Here if you scroll down, you will be able to see devices or browsers that are linked to your account already. If you have never linked one, this will be empty.
  4. Lick on the “Link device” option, which will open your camera to scan the code. If you receive a prompt from your device asking you to grant WhatsApp permission to use/open your camera, accept it/allow it.
  5. Now scan the QR code on the WhatsApp Web page. If the QR code is not there, click on the “Click to reload QR code” option.
  6. Keep your camera on the QR code until you see a message saying that your device is being linked.
  7. Make sure you keep both devices connected to the internet as WhatsApp web communicates with your Mobile WhatsApp application while transferring Messages and Chats.
  8. Done, you can now continue chatting from WhatsApp Web.

after successfully scanning WhatsApp web QR code, messages will start loading

Compatible browsers and devices

Any browser you have installed on your laptop or computer can support WhatsApp web. But for the ultimate user experience, I would recommend Google Chrome browser.

WhatsApp web is also available for those who have WhatsApp web applications installed on their PC as long as they are using Windows 8.1 or later, Mac OS version 10.10 or later or using Ubuntu 18.04 Operating System(or Later).

Setting up WhatsApp Web

After you have done the set-up as I have shown you above, your messenger is good to go, but there are a few optional tweaks you can do to make it even smoother and better. Below are some of the things you can do to complete the WhatsApp web setup;

  1. You could change your notification settings and allow WhatsApp to display notifications on the Laptop’s or PC’s notification bar.
  2. You could change your chat wallpaper and customize it to your liking just like in the WhatsApp smartphone application.
  3. You could maximize your data bundle usage by disabling the automatic download of certain files, like for example videos.

All this can be done by accessing your settings menu by clicking on the same 3 dots we clicked on earlier and selecting the “Menu” option.

Navigating WhatsApp Web

Understanding the WhatsApp Web interface

Now that you have successfully linked your account to the web messenger, you need to get accustomed to the WhatsApp web interface, which to be honest is very similar to the one on the smartphone application.

Accessing your contacts and chats

To access your contacts, you need to click on the phonebook icon on your WhatsApp web dashboard. This will open up all contacts saved in your phonebook. Please note that you won’t be able to add any new contacts using the web version of WhatsApp messenger. If you need to do so, you will need to add them using the Mobile Application, and then refresh your contacts.

By default, the chat section will be displayed with all your recent chats and new messages. To go to a particular chat, you need to click on the contact so that the chat is displayed on the right side of the WhatsApp web interface.

Customizing your WhatsApp Web settings

Changing Your WhatsApp Profile Picture

Before you do this, remember that changing your profile picture will also reflect on the mobile version account because they are linked. To change your profile picture via your browser;

  1. Click on the profile icon on the top left of the WhatsApp web dashboard.
  2. Then click on “Add profile photo”.
  3. Decide where to take a picture using your webcam or upload one.
  4. Done.
Changing WhatsApp Chat Wallpaper

To change your chat wallpaper;

  1. Click on the settings menu using the 3 dots.
  2. Select settings.
  3. Scroll down and select the “Chat wallpaper” option.
  4. Select one from the list provided.

Messaging on WhatsApp Web

Sending and receiving messages

To start a new conversation, click on the phonebook icon, select the specific contact you want to talk to, and the chat will be initiated. After you have written the message, click on the send button to send the message, or hit enter to save some effort.

Using emojis, stickers, and GIFs

To use emojis, stickers or GIFs on WhatsApp web, just click on the smiling icon(i guess it’s smiling) which is to the right of the text field, you can then choose the emojis, stickers or GIFs you want to use; just like you do via your Android or iPhone.

Tips and Tricks for WhatsApp Web

Using WhatsApp Web on multiple devices

Using WhatsApp web is so cool that you can link it with multiple computers. For example, if you had a home laptop, your work computer, and a personal Macbook or google Chromebook, then you could use WhatsApp web on all these devices.

Just be careful not to link your account to computers that are not protected, such as computers in public places, like cyber cafes.

Using keyboard shortcuts

Using a computer or laptop Keyboard gives you added advantages such as having access to keyboard shortcuts. You will enjoy simple shortcuts such as;

  • Ctrl + C to copy text.
  • Ctrl + v to paste the text.
  • Ctrl + X to cut text.
  • Ctrl + A to select all text.
  • You can also mark messages as read by using Ctrl + Alt + Shift + U button on your Keyboard.
  • If you need to archive a chat using your keyboard shortcuts, use Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E keys.
  • To close a chat, you simply press the Esc(Escape) button.
  • Use Ctrl + Alt + Tab to move to the next chat.
  • Use Ctrl + Alt + N to start a new chat.

To know more about shortcuts, make sure you check out other computer Keyboard shortcuts available for Windows OS, Chrome OS, Mac OS and other operating systems.

WhatsApp Web Keyboard Shortcuts

Saving important messages

You can save conversations that are important to you by using the “Star message” option to mark them as important, or even archive a whole chat. You also have options to pin a chat, particularly when the conversation is important to you.

Keeping Your Data Safe

In the same way, you have connected and linked your account to your WhatsApp account, someone else could use this advantage to link your account to their browser and monitor your chat. A good example is when your boyfriend or girlfriend uses this method to see who you are chatting with, or if you are cheating on them.

Therefore it is essential that you ensure your phone is always with you, and that you give access to people you only trust. You can keep your account safe by having a password, PIN or pattern lock on your phone.

You also have to activate the WhatsApp Two-Step verification on your smartphone. This will make it hard for anyone who does not have a password to access your WhatsApp account.

How To Activate WhatsApp Two-Step Verification

To activate Two-step verification, do the following;

  1. Open your WhatsApp application.
  2. Click on the 3 dots in the top right corner of the WhatsApp screen.
  3. Click on the setting option.
  4. Click on the “Account” option.
  5. Select the second option, which is “Two-step verification”.
  6. Click on “Turn on”. Enter a 6-digit pin and click next.
  7. Confirm the PIN you just entered.
  8. Enter your email address. This email will be used to reset the PIN in case you forget it.
  9. Click next and enter your email to confirm this email.
  10. Click on done to finish the step.

The other way to check if your account is safe, you can check if your account is linked to other unauthorized browsers without your permission. To do this, click on the 3 dots, and select linked devices. You will see the list of devices linked to your WhatsApp account.

If you find any account that is linked to you, and yet you did not authorize it, you can always remove it by clicking on it, and clicking the “Log out” option.

If you found this article useful, share it with your friends. If you experience any problems, feel free to leave a comment and I will try my best to help you out.

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