tricks and advantages of mobile and PC

WhatsApp offers a web version that offers a series of advantages to its users. Let us show you how to use it.

Use all its functions and capabilities to improve the use of the messaging platform.

WhatsApp Web is an online version of WhatsApp that works in any browser. It offers some additional features and functions for its users, this guide will show you which ones and how to use them.

How to use WhatsApp Web from mobile

One of the existing options is to use the web version on the mobile phone. But before you can use the web version of WhatsApp from a mobile phone, you have to remember one thing: it cannot be done using the same user account that is already used in the WhatsApp app installed on that mobile phone. This means that you can't use the same account on the app and the web version from the same phone, at least initially.

To sync the account on your computer, you need to scan the QR code on the app. Since it is not possible to point the device's camera at its screen, synchronization is not possible. However, there are some tricks and shortcuts for this, which we will show you later.

Take the phone you want to use WhatsApp Web with, open the browser and go to web.whatsapp.com. The site will detect that you are using a mobile phone and will display an adapted version that will ask you to download the APK.

However, that is not what we need. If you're using Chrome, click the three vertical dots icon in the right corner of your browser. In any other browser, find this general options menu. From the menu, select the View Desktop Site option. By doing this, we will be able to see the normal version of the site available in any PC browser.

You will then be taken to the next screen where the QR code will appear.

Now take out the mobile phone you have set up WhatsApp on, open the app and tap on the three dots icon on the top right corner.

In the options menu, select WhatsApp Web.

On this screen, you will see a tutorial that explains the steps to follow. Click the green OK button.

If you haven't done so before, the operating system will ask you to give WhatsApp access to your camera and photos. Accept and scan the QR code visible on the screen of your other mobile.

If successful, the site will identify you and sync your conversations across both devices.

What if we want to do everything on one phone? We will have to be ingenious, take a screenshot of the QR code and quickly send it to another screen (PC or another mobile) to scan it from it. Crazy, but effective. However, you have to hurry because the duration of the code is limited, and if you don't do it in time, you will have to generate a new code.

How to use WhatsApp Web on a desktop PC

To use WhatsApp Web on PC, first open your browser and visit the WhatsApp website. Once there, click on the top of the WhatsApp Web option.

A QR code will appear on the screen.

Open WhatsApp and enter the options menu by tapping on the three vertical dots icon in the upper right corner.

Select the WhatsApp Web option.

Your device's camera and a square that acts as a scanner will open. Point your device's camera at the QR code visible on the PC screen.

At this time, the web will recognize your user and all the conversations will be displayed on the screen.

Advantages of using WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web is a more limited version than the desktop or mobile version, but it has a series of advantages that can be useful for many users:

One account on two devices

Using WhatsApp Web is the only possible way to use the same user account on two different devices. For example, you can talk on your mobile phone and continue the conversation on your PC.

In any case, remember that both devices must be turned on and next to each other for it to work properly, otherwise the synchronization will be interrupted.

fastest type

By using the web version, especially if you do it from a computer or device with a physical keyboard, you can take advantage of the use of the keyboard. Typing speed with a physical keyboard is usually (sorry touch typing enthusiasts) faster than with the virtual on-screen keyboard on mobile devices. There is more space, and that has a direct impact on the speed of writing.

Sharing is easier for everyone

Since it allows you to quickly share links from your clipboard or files from your computer, it is very easy and fast to send them to any contact. In addition, the drag and drop function with the mouse makes all these operations even easier.

Battery saving

It's true that both devices need to be turned on, in close proximity, and connected to the network to sync the app and website, but once that's done, the mobile device's screen can be set aside. This will help you save battery, since WhatsApp is usually one of the most used and battery consuming apps.

Does not require installation

WhatsApp Web does not require installation. The web version saves you from having to install the software on your computer and thus saves space. This also makes it useful regardless of the operating system and the type of device used: if you have a web browser, you can use WhatsApp Web even on tablets. If the computer is not yours, you can use WhatsApp Web without having to make any changes to your system.

Notifications

Since the data from the app and the website are in sync, each new message or call generates a notification on the web version that you can see instantly. You don't have to constantly look at your screen as the website constantly updates the notifications.

The best WhatsApp Web tricks

Here are some tricks you can use on WhatsApp Web to make the most of its features:

Hot keys

Hotkeys are an easy way to speed up your WhatsApp Web experience. With practice, you'll learn how to use them to increase user speed when moving between chats, replying to messages, or performing any other supported function. This is a list of keyboard commands applicable to WhatsApp Web:

• • Ctrl + N: allows you to create a new chat room.

• • Ctrl + Shift + ]: allows you to go to the next chat in the left side menu.

• • Ctrl + Shift + [:in this case it allows you to go back to the list of chats

• • Ctrl + E: Use this command to archive the chat.

• • Ctrl + Shift + M: mute the conversation so you don't receive sound notifications.

• • Ctrl + Backspace: This shortcut allows you to delete the entire conversation.

• • Ctrl + Shift + U: mark messages as unread.

• • Ctrl + Shift + N: Allows you to create a new chat group.

• • Ctrl + P: access to the user's profile.

• • Alt + F4: close the chat window.

Attach files

One of the biggest advantages of using WhatsApp Web is the ease of sharing files. When using the web version, some functions disappear, such as sending audio or location, but for everything else, using WhatsApp Web makes it easy for the user. In this way, you take advantage of your familiarity with Windows Explorer and your knowledge of organizing files and folders on your computer with much more storage space, not to mention all the functions that you will find thanks to external hard drives.

By tapping the paperclip icon in the top right corner, you'll see a list of file types you can share, such as images from your gallery, photos taken at the moment, documents, or contacts.

And best of all, if the file is compatible, you can skip this step and drag and drop the files directly into the conversation to share them.

Read messages without activating the blue tick

This is probably one of the most useful cheats, although it is more of an accident than a feature the creators thought of. When you receive a new message, instead of clicking on the conversation in the chat list to enter it, hover the mouse pointer over the message for a few seconds: you will see a preview of the text without having to enter the chat, avoiding the double blue check of the read message.

Multiple accounts across multiple browsers

If you have several WhatsApp accounts with different phone numbers, nothing prevents you from opening them all at once. Use an incognito window or open another browser to have multiple WhatsApp accounts and use them simultaneously.

Transfer files between mobile and PC through a single group

We have already talked about the advantages that WhatsApp Web offers when it comes to sharing files. As such, it can be a great ally for transferring files between mobile and PC. To do it in the most discreet way, create a WhatsApp group with someone and, once created, remove that person from the chat. It will stay with a group of just you, and can be used as a private place to share files between devices.

Direct access on mobile phones

For those who use the mobile web version, a solution to the problem of having to open the service's website every time is to create a shortcut to the screen. To do this, open the web version and display the options menu of your browser. In this example we are using Chrome.

Select the Add to Home Screen option.

There are two ways to do it: if you click and drag the icon, you can move it to the home screen and find it manually. If you click Add automatically, the system will find it by itself.

As a final step, you can also set a name for the shortcut.

From this moment you will have direct screen access to the web version, which you can easily distinguish from the normal direct access to the app.

Dark mode

The arrival of the dark mode to WhatsApp has not left WhatsApp Web aside, where it can also be used. Open the WhatsApp Web options menu by clicking the icon with three vertical dots at the top of the list of chats. Once there, click Settings.

From all the options, select “Theme”.

You can toggle between two modes: light and normal or dark, with a black background and light typography. Select the one you want from the dropdown menu.

The changes will be applied to the interface immediately.

Video calls

You can also make video calls from WhatsApp Web, although another Facebook platform, Facebook Messenger Rooms, is used for this. Open the website, click on the clip in the upper right area, which is often used to attach files, and click on the icon that looks like a video camera.

A new window will open where you can start configuring your Facebook Messenger room.

Shortcuts for emoticons

Emoticons have become an integral part of writing in messaging apps, and on WhatsApp it's easy to add them to text without having to open a menu, thanks to keyboard shortcuts.

When you're writing a message and want to add an emoji, simply type ":" followed by the word that best identifies the emoji you're looking for: usually several phrases will appear, and you should see the emoji you're looking for among them. For example, type ":sad" to quickly see the icon in sentences and add it to your text.

The most common WhatsApp Web problems and how to fix them

Sometimes, when using the service, various problems may arise that need to be solved. Let us tell you about the most common problems and, above all, what you can do in each case to solve them.

The site does not load

If you're trying to access the Internet and can't, check the obvious: if you have an Internet connection. To do this, try quickly going to Google. If you can't, a quick fix might be to reset your router or, worst case scenario, contact your internet service provider.

You should also check if you are entering the web address correctly. WhatsApp's web address is www.whatsapp.com, but if you want to go directly to WhatsApp Web, visit web.whatsapp.com.

Browser is not supported

Not all browsers are supported. To use WhatsApp Web, you'll need to use Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, or Safari (presumably, any Chromium-based browser will also support this version). If one of them doesn't work for you, try the other.

If you're using one of these browsers and still can't sign in, the issue may be with your browser version. Check that you have the latest version of the available browser installed by using the configuration menu or visiting its website.

QR code is not displayed

To configure WhatsApp Web, it is necessary to generate a QR code that can be scanned with the mobile phone. If this code is not generated when accessing the website, it indicates that the Internet connection has been lost. Reload the page to check and follow the usual steps in case of failure; wait a few seconds, restart your router and contact your internet service provider if none of the above works.

notifications not coming

The first time you use WhatsApp Web in your browser, it will ask you for permission to display notifications. If you do not grant these permissions, you will not receive notifications, which will cause you to miss conversations.

To check the permission status, look for the lock icon next to the web address at the top and click it.

In the pop-up menu you can check if you have given any permission, in the example you can see that the permission to send notifications is blocked. Click on the “x”…

The site will now notify you that notifications are blocked, with a message at the top of the chat list. When you click on it, WhatsApp Web will again ask you for permission to send notifications.

If you click the padlock again to check the situation, you will see that the notification permission has now been activated in the browser.

Blocked Wi-Fi networks

If you're using public Wi-Fi and can't get into WhatsApp, your network administrator may have blocked access to the page. In this case, request access permissions from the network administrator so that you can use the web version without hindrance.

cache files

Browsers store data about the web pages you visit so they can display information more quickly in the future. However, these files can become corrupted and cause web pages to not display or function properly. If you think your problems with WhatsApp Web may be related to this, go to the security and privacy settings of the browser you use and look for the cache section. Now try to clear all data from memory (all browsers offer this function) and try to reconnect to the service via the web.

The phone or computer is not connected

WhatsApp Web requires your mobile application to be running and connected to the network. Otherwise, you won't be able to send or receive messages on the web version, regardless of where you launch it; when this is not the case, the website warns you with a message.

Check that your mobile phone is turned on and connected to the Internet. If the issues are not resolved in this way, go to the app, disconnect from the servers when you exit the app, or lock the phone, and this is necessary in order to sync the data.

The same goes for computers: without an Internet connection, you won't be able to see or reply to messages. The website also alerts you to Internet connection problems on your computer.

WhatsApp is open in a different browser

A WhatsApp account can only work on the mobile phone and a web browser at the same time. If you try to log in and get the following message, it means that the account is running in a different browser on the other computer, and until you log out of the first browser, you won't be able to log in to the second. When you connect to one browser, you disconnect from the other.

Click Sign out to sign out, or Use here to start using WhatsApp on this computer and sign out on the other.

If you still get the same message, you may need to sign out of all devices and restart settings. To do this, open the mobile application, enter the options menu and tap on WhatsApp Web.

You'll see a list of all the devices you've connected from. Tap Sign out of all devices.

Confirm the process and it will close all open sessions, allowing you to reconfigure the web client wherever you are.

Missing media content

WhatsApp Web displays the same content as your mobile app. If you try to access a file and see a message like this, it means that the material is no longer on your mobile. In this case, you should ask the person who sent it to you to send it back to you so that you can have it.

attachments too big

When it comes to file sharing, you may encounter some problems or hiccups. Keep in mind that there are limits to both the type of files you can send (WhatsApp supports several commonly used file types, but not more than that) and the size of the files. If you exceed the limit, the site will warn you with a message on the screen that the file could not be shared. In these cases you will have to find a way to reduce the size of the file or use another method to share it.

Antivirus and firewall

Antivirus or firewall may be the cause of the platform not working properly. Make sure that your antivirus does not restrict access to the page and that the appropriate ports are open or correctly configured in your firewall so that WhatsApp Web can send and receive messages.

WhatsApp does not work

Like any online platform, WhatsApp is not free from crashes and bugs. Sometimes technical issues can affect the platform and prevent the web client from working properly. If you suspect this may be the problem, check out any of the various online services available to check if a website or service is down, such as Downdetector. There you can see the status of the service at any time.

WhatsApp update

Another possible solution to problems using WhatsApp Web could be the version of the app you are using. Have you checked that you have the latest version installed? This is the only way to ensure you have the most stable, secure, and functional version. In the past, we have already explained how to update WhatsApp on your Android device. Check if you have the latest version and if this factor may be causing connection problems with the messaging app.