WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop Guide

This WhatsApp Web/Desktop guide covers the following topics: (click on the links below or read the full guide)

Overview

WhatsApp is currently the most popular free messaging app worldwide. Of the 2 billion users across 180 countries, 1.6 billion of them are active monthly users who use the application to connect with their friends and family. As WhatsApp is popular among many people, even employees use them for official business matters since their clients use the same messaging platform.

WhatsApp Business was developed specifically for small and medium businesses, allowing employees to have an official business profile in WhatsApp. WhatsApp users are limited to their mobile devices unless they use WhatsApp on their computers.

Install WhatsApp on Your computer

After creating a WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business account, users can then use WhatsApp on their computers by installing it on their computers. Anyone can easily download and install the software for free so that they can manage their contacts better. It’s important to note that WhatsApp Web or Desktop can’t be used without an active WhatsApp account on the mobile phone.

When using WhatsApp for computers, people can have an easier time managing their contacts, mainly because of having a bigger screen to manage data. Even if people don’t have their mobile phones on hand, they can still use WhatsApp. Using the messaging app on the computer allows employees to connect with their clients more while having an easier time managing a large number of contacts.

Running WhatsApp on Your Computer

WhatsApp users can use the messaging application on their computers in two ways. The first way is by downloading and installing the software on the computer, and the other way is by using it on a browser without installing the software.

Download WhatsApp for Desktop

WhatsApp users can use the desktop version of the messaging application by following the steps below:

1. Download WhatsApp Desktop from the WhatsApp download page.

2. Install WhatsApp Desktop by left-clicking on the WhatsAppSetup.exe file on the bottom left of the window.

3. Open WhatsApp Desktop.

4. Verify your WhatsApp by scanning the QR code using your mobile phone.

To scan the QR code, WhatsApp users should follow the steps below:

1. For Android users, click on the three dots icon on the top right of the screen. For iOS users, click on Settings on the bottom right of the screen. Add arrows to indicate the process etc.

2. Select WhatsApp Web/Desktop.

Scan the QR Code displayed on the monitor. WhatsApp will open the phone’s camera so that the user can scan the QR code that appears in the WhatsApp Desktop window.

3. Upon successful activation, the mobile app will display a notification.

Using WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp users who don’t want to install another application on their computers can run WhatsApp in a browser.

1. Go to the WhatsApp Web page

2. Open WhatsApp on your phone

3. For Android users, click on the three dots icon on the top right of the screen. For iOS users, click on Settings on the bottom right of the screen.

4. Select WhatsApp Web/Desktop

5. Scan the QR Code displayed on the WhatsApp Web page. WhatsApp will open the phone’s camera so that the user can scan the QR code that appears in the WhatsApp Desktop window.

6. Upon successful activation, the mobile app will display a notification

How to Search for a Contact

1. Click on “Search or start new chat.”

2. Type in the name of the particular contact searched for.

How to Write a Message

1. Click on the contact’s name. A chat window will appear on the right side of the WhatsApp Desktop window.

2. Click the message bar.

3. Type in the message you want to send then click on the arrow at the right side on the message bar

How to Send a Voice Message

1. Click on the contact’s name. A chat window will appear on the right side of the WhatsApp Desktop window.

2. Click on the microphone icon at the right side of the message bar.

3. Start speaking on the computer’s microphone.

4. Click on the green check icon to send the message or click on the red “X” icon to cancel the message.

How to Attach Media

1. Click on the contact’s name. A chat window will appear on the right side of the WhatsApp Desktop window.

2. Click on the attach icon.

3. Select which media to send.

How to Send Photos and Videos

1. Click on “Photos & Videos.”

2. Select the photo or video you want to send and click “Open.”

3. Click the green arrow icon to send. Or write a caption before sending.

How to Send a Photo Through the Computer’s Camera

1. Click on “Camera.”

2. Click on the green camera icon to capture what the camera sees.

3. Click the green arrow icon to send. Or write a caption before sending.

How to Send Documents

1. Click on “Documents”

2. Select the document you want to send and click “Open.”

3. Click the green arrow icon to send.

How to Send Contacts

1. Click on “Contacts”

2. Select the contact you want to send.

3. Click the green arrow icon to send.

4. Click on the green arrow icon again to confirm.

How to Save Media

1. Click the photo or video you want to save.

2. Click the Download icon.

Alternatively, users can follow the steps below to download media, including voice messages.

1. Hover over the top right side of the particular media you want to save.

2. Click Download.

How to Create a Room

1. Click on “Rooms.”

2. Click “Continue in Messenger.”

3. Sign in on Messenger on the window you are directed to.

Accessing the Menu

How to Create a Group

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window. Alternatively, users can click the plus icon.

2. Click “New Group.”

3. Type in the contact’s name that you want to add to a group or select from the contacts list. After selecting the contacts you want to add in a group, click the green arrow button.

4. Add a group icon and/or enter the group’s name.

5. Click the green check icon.

How to Leave a Group

1. Hover over the group and click the drop down icon.

2. Select “Exit Group.”

3. Select “Exit.”

4. You can delete the group chat by repeating step 1.

5. Select “Delete Group.”

How to Create a Room

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click on “Create a room.”

3. Click “Continue in Messenger.”

4. Sign in on Messenger on the window you are directed to.

How to Access Your Profile

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click on “Profile.”

How to Access Archived Chats

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click on “Archived.”

3. Select the Archived chat you want to access

How to Access Starred Messages

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click on “Starred.”

3. Select the Starred message you want to access

How to Unstar Messages

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click on “Unstar all.” All starred messages will be unstarred.

Alternatively, users can follow this step.

1. In the chat window, hover over the top right side of the message you want to unstar.

2. Select “Unstar message.”

How to Access Settings

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click on “Settings.”

How to Change Notification Settings

1. Click on “Notifications.”

2. Adjust notifications by clicking on the boxes

How to Change Themes

1. Click on “Theme.”

2. Select the desired theme for WhatsApp Web

How to Change the Chat Wallpaper

1. Click on “Chat Wallpaper.”

2. Select the desired background for WhatsApp chats.

How to Access Blocked Contacts

1. Click on “Blocked.”

2. Add a contact on the blocked list by clicking on “Add blocked contact” or remove contacts from the blocked list.

3. Select the contact you want to block.

How to Unblock a Contact

1. Select the contact you want to unblock.

2. Select unblock.

How to Change Desktop Settings

1. Click on “Desktop Settings.”

2. Check or uncheck the box by clicking it if you want to start WhatsApp or not when logging in the computer.

How to Access Help

1. Click on “Help.”

2. Click on “FAQ,” “Contact Us,” or “Terms and Privacy Policy.”

Accessing the Menu in the Chat Window

How to Check a Contact’s Contact Info

WhatsApp users can view their contacts’ information and see their shared media and starred messages. The user can also mute notifications from this particular contact. They can also block or report the contact, or delete the chat altogether.

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Select “Contact info.”

How to Select Messages

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click “Select messages.”

3. Click on the boxes beside the message you want to select to select them.

4. Choose whether you’ll star, remove, forward, or download (if applicable) the messages.

How to Mute Notifications

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click “Mute notifications.”

3. Select how long you’ll mute the notifications in that particular chat, whether 8 hours, 1 week, or 1 year. Click “Mute Notifications.”

How to Unmute Notifications

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click “Unmute notifications.”

How to Clear Messages

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click “Clear messages.”

3. Click the box beside the words “Keep starred messages” if you want to keep your starred messages or remove everything in the chat

4. Click “Clear”

How to Delete Chats

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Click “Delete chat.”

3. Click “Delete.”

How to Disconnect from WhatsApp on Your Computer

WhatsApp users must also remember to disconnect their WhatsApp accounts from the computer, especially if they’re using a public computer or a friend’s computer. People can log out of their WhatsApp accounts by either logging out through the computer or the mobile phone.

Logout from WhatsApp Through the Software on Your Computer

WhatsApp users can disconnect through the management interface they are connected to.

1. Click on the three dots icon on the WhatsApp window.

2. Select “Log Out.”

After logging out, the user won’t be able to view their chat list and contacts. They can reconnect by scanning the QR code again.

Logout from WhatsApp Through Your Mobile Phone

1. For Android users, click on the three dots icon on the top right of the screen. For iOS users, click on Settings on the bottom right of the screen.

2. Select WhatsApp Web/Desktop.

3. Select “Log out from all devices.”

4. Select “Log out.”

The WhatsApp account will be logged out from all computers where it was previously connected to.

Can I Use WhatsApp on Several Computers at the Same Time

Even though people can use WhatsApp on both their mobile phones and their computer, they can’t use the messaging app across multiple computers. Should they log in on a desktop computer and then a laptop, the account will be disconnected from the desktop computer and remain connected on the laptop.

Summary and Some Warnings for Using WhatsApp on Computer

Even though people can use WhatsApp on both their mobile phones and their computer, they can’t use the messaging app across multiple computers. Should they log in on a desktop computer and then a laptop, the account will be disconnected from the desktop computer and remain connected on the laptop.

Among the advantages of using WhatsApp Web is the following:

• People can choose whether or not they’ll download the software or access it on a browser.

• Large computer storage allows people to download and store better quality multimedia content on their desktop.

• Easier to manage chats and communicate with friends and coworkers while working on a computer.

Despite the benefit of having a smoother experience with WhatsApp Web or Desktop, there are still disadvantages when using it.

• People who use WhatsApp on a public computer can risk getting their account accessed by others if they forget to disconnect.

• Strangers can access the WhatsApp contacts saved on the mobile phone using WhatsApp Web or Desktop.

• All the information used is taken in real-time from the mobile phone, so if it loses internet connection, then WhatsApp Web or Desktop will also stop working.

• The internet connection between the phone and computer is higher than what your phone alone needs.

• WhatsApp users cannot change their profile picture or update their status.

• WhatsApp users cannot call their contacts using either WhatsApp Web or Desktop.

How to Make Your WhatsApp Chats Compliant

After using WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business in the computer, users in regulated industries may think of how they can use it compliantly. TeleMessage offers the WhatsApp Cloud Archiver to ensure compliance with various regulatory requirements for people who use the messaging app on their computers. The WhatsApp Cloud Archiver effectively captures WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business chats done in the Web or Desktop version.

The TeleMessage WhatsApp Archiver is the newest addition to our mobile archiving solution that securely captures content from mobile carriers and mobile devices for different ownership models (BYOD, CYOD, and employer-issued). The WhatsApp Cloud Archiver can effectively archive text messages done using the WhatsApp number checked on by TeleMessage. The Cloud Archiver does this by running a parallel WhatsApp Web session to capture employee messages and forward them to the company’s enterprise archive.

The messages are securely retained within TeleMessage servers or forwarded to an archiving data storage vendor of the firm’s choice. The application works like the standard WhatsApp application. It allows employees to continue sending work-related messages easily and quickly while staying compliant with SEC, FINRA, IIROC, MiFID II, NFA, and FCA‘s regulatory requirements. With our multiple archiving methods, you can find the right tools for your needs:

• Network Archiver

• Android Archiver

• Enterprise Number Archiver

• WhatsApp Archiver

• WeChat Archiver

TeleMessage offers cross-carrier and international mobile text & calls archiving for corporate and BYOD phones. Contact us today to try our mobile archiving products.