WhatsApp Desktop: Set It Up on PC or Mac

WhatsApp Desktop lets you read and send messages, make calls, and share files from a Windows PC or Mac. Install the official app, then link it to your WhatsApp account using your phone; you do not need to create a separate account.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC or Mac that can install apps, with an internet connection.
A phone with WhatsApp set up and working, plus access to its camera to scan a QR code.
Your phone number’s WhatsApp account and, if enabled, your two-step verification PIN when signing in on the phone.

Step-by-Step

Choose the official download route. On your computer, open the Microsoft Store on Windows or the App Store on Mac and search for WhatsApp. Check that the app is published by WhatsApp, then choose Get, Install, or the equivalent button. You can also go to whatsapp.com/download and follow the download link for your computer. Avoid download sites and sponsored links that are not WhatsApp’s own site or your computer’s app store.
Install and open the app. Wait for the download to finish. On Windows, select the app from the Start menu or the Store’s Open button. On Mac, open it from the Applications folder, Launchpad, or the App Store’s Open button. If your computer asks whether to allow the app to open, confirm only if you downloaded it from an official source.
Find the linking screen. WhatsApp Desktop should show a QR code and instructions for linking a device. Keep this screen open. If the code is not visible, look for an option such as Link with phone number; this may be offered as an alternative, depending on the app and region. Follow the on-screen prompts if you use that option.
Open WhatsApp on your phone. On Android, tap the three-dot menu and choose Linked devices. On iPhone, open Settings and tap Linked Devices. Menu wording can vary slightly by app version. If you cannot find it, update WhatsApp from your phone’s official app store and check again.
Start linking a device. Tap Link a device. Your phone may ask you to unlock it with its passcode, fingerprint, or face recognition. Allow camera access if prompted. Point the phone camera at the QR code on your computer screen; hold the phone steady until it scans.
Wait for your chats to load. Keep both devices connected to the internet while WhatsApp finishes linking and syncing. Once your conversations appear, choose a chat to send a test message. Your messages and calls are associated with your existing WhatsApp account, not a new desktop-only account.
Set useful preferences. Open the app’s settings to review notifications, appearance, and privacy options. Allow desktop notifications in both WhatsApp and your computer’s system settings if you want message alerts. You can change these choices later.
Know how to unlink it. On your phone, return to Linked devices, select the computer session, and choose Log out. This is useful if you no longer use the computer or linked it by mistake. On a shared computer, log out when finished and use your computer’s own account-locking features.

Common Mistakes

Scanning with the phone’s regular camera app: Open WhatsApp first, go to Linked devices, and tap Link a device. Scan from the camera view inside WhatsApp.
Using an unofficial download: Search results can include unrelated downloads. Use the Microsoft Store, App Store, or WhatsApp’s own download page.
Expecting a new account on the computer: Desktop links to the account already set up on your phone. To use a different account, first make sure that account is active in WhatsApp on a phone.
Closing the QR screen too soon: Leave it open until your phone has scanned the code. QR codes can expire, so refresh or reopen the linking screen if needed.
Ignoring permissions or notifications settings: Denying camera permission can block scanning, while disabling system notifications can prevent alerts even when WhatsApp notifications are enabled.

Tips

Make the QR code larger on screen by maximizing the app window or adjusting display scaling if your phone has trouble scanning it.
Keep WhatsApp updated on both the phone and computer. Updates can fix linking problems and provide current features.
Use a trusted personal computer when possible. If you share a computer, log out of WhatsApp Desktop and lock your computer account when you step away.
Check the phone’s Linked devices list occasionally. Remove sessions you do not recognize or no longer need.
You can use WhatsApp on a linked computer even when your phone is not continuously connected, but the computer still needs an internet connection. Follow any prompts to reconnect or relink if the session expires.

Troubleshooting

The QR code will not scan: Clean the phone camera lens, increase the code size, reduce screen glare, and ensure the entire code is visible. Close and reopen the linking screen to generate a fresh code, then scan it from WhatsApp’s Link a device camera.
There is no QR code: Confirm that you opened the installed WhatsApp Desktop app rather than a different app or a web page. Update or reinstall it through the official source. If the screen offers phone-number linking, follow its instructions instead.
Linking starts but does not finish: Check that both devices have internet access. Try a different reliable network, temporarily pause a VPN or network filter if you use one, and restart the app. Avoid public Wi-Fi login pages that have not been completed.
Your phone cannot find Linked devices: Update WhatsApp on the phone, close and reopen it, and look in Settings on iPhone or the three-dot menu on Android. Menu placement can change between versions.
Messages or notifications are missing: Keep the computer online, reopen WhatsApp, and check notification permissions in the computer’s system settings as well as WhatsApp settings. If syncing remains stuck, log out of the linked session and link it again.
The app will not install or open: Check that your operating system is supported by the current download, that you have enough storage, and that the download completed. Restart the computer and use the official store or WhatsApp download page again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use WhatsApp Desktop without my phone?
Use your phone to link the computer initially. After linking, the computer can work without the phone being online all the time, but both the computer and account must remain usable and connected as needed.

Do I need to scan a QR code every time?
No. You normally scan it once per linked session. You may need to link again if you log out, remove the device, or the session expires.

Can I use the same WhatsApp account on my PC and Mac?
You can link multiple devices to one account, subject to WhatsApp’s current linked-device limits. Review the list on your phone and remove devices you no longer use.

Can I make voice or video calls in the desktop app?
Calling features are available in supported versions and on compatible computers. Allow microphone and camera access when prompted, and check your computer’s system privacy settings if calls cannot use them.

Is WhatsApp Desktop different from WhatsApp Web?
Desktop is an app installed on your computer; WhatsApp Web runs in a browser. Both link to your phone account, and the screens and available features may differ.

How do I sign out of WhatsApp Desktop?
On your phone, open Linked devices, select the computer, and tap Log out. You can also use the app’s own log-out control if available.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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