WhatsApp is a popular messaging app used daily on smartphones and computers. Previously, WhatsApp Web on your PC or Mac required your smartphone to be connected to the internet. However, this is changing with the introduction of WhatsApp’s multi-device feature.
This new feature allows you to link multiple devices to your WhatsApp account without needing to keep your phone nearby. As a result, you can use WhatsApp on your computer without having your phone constantly connected. To take advantage of this, you need to update the WhatsApp app on your phone, join the beta program, and link your phone to the Web or Desktop app. Here’s how you can do it.
Before July 2022, a major limitation existed when using WhatsApp on your computer: your phone had to stay online for WhatsApp Web to work. This was necessary for syncing messages. Now, you can access WhatsApp Web without your phone being connected to the internet after a quick verification process, and it takes less than a minute to set up.
Using WhatsApp Web with Linked Devices:
WhatsApp’s multi-device feature enables you to use WhatsApp on up to four linked devices without requiring your phone to be online. Follow these steps:
- On Your Computer:
- Open a web browser and navigate to web.whatsapp.com.
- A QR code will appear on the screen.
- On Your Mobile Device:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings (tap the three dots in the top-right corner on Android or the gear icon on iPhone).
- Select Linked Devices.
- Tap Link a Device.
- Use your phone to scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.
Once linked, you can use WhatsApp Web independently of your phone’s internet connection. Note that if you don’t use your phone for over 14 days, linked devices will become disconnected.
Using WhatsApp on a PC Without a Smartphone:
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can use an Android emulator to run WhatsApp on your PC. Here’s how:
- Install an Android Emulator:
- Download and install an Android emulator like BlueStacks on your PC.
- Set Up the Emulator:
- Open BlueStacks and sign in with your Google account.
- Install WhatsApp:
- Open the Google Play Store within BlueStacks.
- Search for WhatsApp and install it.
- Verify Your Phone Number:
- Open WhatsApp within BlueStacks.
- Enter a valid phone number to receive the verification code.
- You can use a landline number or a virtual number from services like Google Voice or TextNow.
- If using a landline, select the Call me option to receive the verification code via an automated call.
Please note that using WhatsApp on an emulator may violate WhatsApp’s terms of service, and there’s a risk of your account being banned. Additionally, some users have reported issues with this method.
Using WhatsApp with a Landline Number:
You can register WhatsApp using a landline number, especially for WhatsApp Business accounts. Here’s how:
- Install WhatsApp:
- Download and install WhatsApp (or WhatsApp Business) on your device.
- Enter Landline Number:
- Open WhatsApp and enter your landline number, including the country code.
- Verification:
- Wait for the SMS verification to fail (as landlines can’t receive SMS).
- After the SMS verification fails, select the Call me option.
- Answer the call on your landline to receive the verification code.
- Enter the verification code into WhatsApp to complete the setup.
This method allows you to use WhatsApp without a mobile phone number.
Important Considerations:
- Internet Connection: While your phone doesn’t need to be online for WhatsApp Web after linking, the device you’re using WhatsApp on must have an active internet connection.
- Account Security: Always use legitimate methods to access WhatsApp to avoid violating their terms of service, which could lead to account suspension.
Using WhatsApp Web on Tablets:
While WhatsApp doesn’t offer a dedicated app for tablets, you can access WhatsApp Web through a tablet’s browser. Here’s how:
- On Your Tablet:
- Open the web browser and navigate to web.whatsapp.com .
- If the mobile version of the site loads, switch to the desktop version by selecting “Request Desktop Site” in your browser settings.
- A QR code will appear on the screen.
- On Your Mobile Device:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap Link a Device and scan the QR code displayed on your tablet.
This method allows you to use WhatsApp on your tablet without a separate phone number.
Using WhatsApp with a VOIP Number:
If you don’t have access to a mobile number, you can register WhatsApp using a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) number. Here’s how:
- Obtain a VOIP Number:
- Sign up for a VOIP service that provides you with a phone number capable of receiving SMS or calls.
- Install WhatsApp:
- Download and install WhatsApp on your device.
- Enter VOIP Number:
- Open WhatsApp and enter the VOIP number when prompted.
- Verification:
- Wait for the SMS verification to fail.
- Select the Call me option to receive the verification code via an automated call to your VOIP number.
- Enter the verification code into WhatsApp to complete the setup.
This method enables you to use WhatsApp without a traditional SIM card.
Using WhatsApp on Multiple Devices:
WhatsApp’s multi-device feature allows you to use your account on multiple devices simultaneously. Here’s how:
- On Your Primary Device:
- Ensure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version.
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap Link a Device.
- On Your Secondary Device (e.g., PC or Tablet):
- Open a web browser and navigate to web.whatsapp.com.
- A QR code will appear on the screen.
- Linking Devices:
- Use your primary device to scan the QR code displayed on the secondary device.
This setup allows you to use WhatsApp on multiple devices without needing your phone to be constantly connected to the internet.
Important Considerations:
- Compliance with Terms of Service: Always ensure that the methods you use to access WhatsApp comply with their terms of service to avoid potential account issues.
- Security: Be cautious when using third-party services or emulators, as they may pose security risks or violate WhatsApp’s policies.
Using WhatsApp on the Desktop App
- Download the App:
- Go to the official WhatsApp website ( web.whatsapp.com /download ) and download the desktop app for Windows or Mac.
- Install and Launch:
- Install the app and open it.
- Link Devices:
- A QR code will appear on your screen.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone, go to Settings > Linked Devices, and scan the QR code.
- Multi-Device Mode:
- After linking, your desktop app will function independently of your phone’s internet connection.
Using a Virtual Android Machine
- Install VirtualBox:
- Download VirtualBox from virtualbox.org and install it on your PC.
- Install an Android OS:
- Download an Android OS image file, such as Android-x86, and set it up in VirtualBox.
- Set Up WhatsApp:
- Launch the virtual Android environment, access the Google Play Store, and install WhatsApp.
- Verify your account using a phone number (landline, VOIP, or mobile).
- Use WhatsApp on the Virtual Machine:
- WhatsApp will work in the virtual Android environment, functioning like a separate device.
Using a Dedicated WhatsApp Tablet
If you don’t have a mobile phone:
- Install WhatsApp:
- Download WhatsApp directly to a tablet.
- Verify with Alternate Number:
- Use a landline, VOIP, or another method to verify.
- WhatsApp Business:
- You can also use the WhatsApp Business app for setup.
Using Chrome OS (Built-in Android Apps)
- Get a Chromebook:
- Most Chromebooks support Android apps.
- Install WhatsApp:
- Open the Google Play Store on your Chromebook and install WhatsApp.
- Verification:
- Use an alternate phone number (landline or VOIP) for account verification.
- Use Independently:
- WhatsApp will operate on your Chromebook without depending on a phone.
Registering a New Number Online
- Use Online SMS Services:
- Websites like Receive SMS Online or TextNow provide temporary phone numbers for receiving verification codes.
- Install WhatsApp:
- Install WhatsApp on any device or emulator.
- Enter Online Number:
- Use the temporary number for verification.
- Complete verification and start using WhatsApp.
Note: Online numbers may not always work due to restrictions, and this method may pose privacy risks.
Using Third-Party Browser Extensions
- Install Extensions:
- Search for browser extensions like “WA Web Plus” that extend WhatsApp Web’s functionality.
- Login via Browser:
- Access web.whatsapp.com and link your account as described earlier.
- Enable Independent Mode:
- Some extensions enable features like auto-reconnect or phone-less setups (requires multi-device mode).
important Notes:
- Ensure compliance with WhatsApp’s terms of service.
- Methods using third-party apps or tools may introduce security risks or account bans.
- Always prioritize official methods for reliability and safety.
Using a Dual SIM Phone with a Secondary SIM
- Set Up a Secondary SIM:
- Insert a secondary SIM card into a dual SIM phone.
- Use this SIM to register WhatsApp on your computer or tablet.
- Install WhatsApp on Emulator or Tablet:
- Install WhatsApp on an Android emulator (e.g., BlueStacks) or directly on a tablet.
- Verify with the Secondary SIM:
- Enter the secondary SIM’s number for verification.
- Use the Call me option if SMS verification doesn’t work.