WhatsApp is the bread and butter of instant messaging nowadays. It's
backed by Facebook and hundreds of millions of users, but how do I use
WhatsApp on PC and Mac? Read on for three tutorials using WhatsApp Web,
Pushbullet, and Bluestacks.
How to use WhatsApp with the official Chrome web-client (WhatsApp Web)
This is the easiest solution on our list, as WhatsApp has developed an official web-client for this purpose.
Go to
web.whatsapp.com on your PC and scan the QR code with your phone (using
QR code reader or
a similar app), then follow the installation instructions. This
provides you with all of the regular WhatsApp functionality, like voice
and picture messaging, but there is a caveat. The WhatsApp web-client
acts as a "mirror" for your device, meaning you will only receive
messages on WhatsApp web if you receive it on your phone also. Your
device has to be switched on, and connected to the internet, to use the
web-client.
WhatsApp web allows you to do all the normal stuff you would with WhatsApp on your phone.
The above method will work for anybody running a Windows
machine, with WhatsApp on their smartphone, and using Firefox, Internet
Explorer, or Chrome.
How to use WhatsApp on PC and Mac with Pushbullet
Pushbullet
presents another easy way to get WhatsApp on your PC or Mac.
Like WhatsApp Web, Pushbullet mirrors messages and notifications on your
PC and also enables you to reply to them directly.
You will need
to download the app on your phone, and register, then log
into Pushbullet in your browser via the website. One this is done, close
your browser and open it again; it should be automatically configured
to display any notifications you receive. If it's not, you can
easily tinker with the settings to suit your liking.
Pushbullet is a free app and has many uses beyond
simply delivering WhatsApp messages. Give it a try for yourself.
Pushbullet
How to use WhatsApp on PC and Mac using BlueStacks
This
process takes about ten minutes and involves installing an Android
emulator known as BlueStacks. This program will replicate your Android
smartphone on your computer and it can be installed from Google Play.
IMPORTANT:
- When you activate WhatsApp on your computer using this method, the
account on your smartphone will be deactivated, as it only allows one
account per device.
- You can also use YouWave or Wassapp to achieve similar results, but we've found Bluestacks to be the most reliable solution.
1. Download and install
BlueStacks.
2.
When you open the program you will see a search icon in the top left
hand side which you will use to search for WhatsApp (or just click the
WhatsApp icon if it is there when it loads).
You will find the search icon in the top left corner.
Search for WhatsApp and install it.
3. In order to search for the application, BlueStacks requires two
configuration steps. For this reason, it will open a window called One
Time Setup. Follow the instructions until you see the message.
4.
After you are finished this process, Google Play will automatically
open. Now you’ll need to insert the information from your account.
5. Once you are in Google Play, it’s the same old steps: search and install WhatsApp.
6.
Finally you simply need to set up your account in the application and
indicate your phone number and country, after which you will receive a
verification code of 6 digits on your phone. This code then needs to be
entered into the verification box.
Please note that you cannot use
WhatsApp on two devices at the same time. For this method to work, you
need two WhatsApp accounts (i.e. two phone numbers).
Let us know in the comments below which method you prefer for using WhatsApp on your PC or Mac.
