WhatsApp Web: How to Use It in Your Browser

WhatsApp Web lets you read and send WhatsApp messages from a computer browser while your account is connected to your phone. To get started, you need an active WhatsApp account, a supported browser, and an internet connection; you’ll link the browser by scanning a QR code with your phone.

What You’ll Need

A phone with WhatsApp installed and your account already set up.
A computer or tablet with an up-to-date browser and internet access.
Your phone available to scan the QR code. WhatsApp Web can continue working when your phone is offline after linking, but you may need it again to reconnect or manage linked devices.

Step-by-Step

Open the official WhatsApp Web page. In your computer browser, type web.whatsapp.com into the address bar and press Enter. Check the address carefully before entering any account details or scanning a code. The official page displays a QR code when it is ready.
Open WhatsApp on your phone. Make sure the app is working and connected to the internet while you link the browser. If you use more than one WhatsApp account, check that the phone is signed in to the account you intend to use on the computer.
Find Linked devices. On Android, tap the three-dot menu in WhatsApp and choose Linked devices. On iPhone, open WhatsApp, tap Settings, then Linked Devices. Menu wording or placement can differ slightly between app versions.
Start linking a device. Tap Link a device. If your phone asks you to confirm your identity, unlock it with the screen lock or biometric method you normally use. This is a security check before the phone scans a new computer.
Scan the QR code. Hold your phone so its camera scans the QR code shown in the browser. Keep the code inside the scanning frame. Do not use a screenshot or send the QR code to someone else; it is used to link your account to a device.
Wait for chats to load. Once linking succeeds, the browser will show your conversations. Give it a little time to sync, especially if there are many messages or the connection is slow. You can open a chat from the list or use the search box to find a contact or conversation.
Send a message. Select a chat, click the message field, type your text, and press Enter or click the send button. Use the attachment or other chat controls when you want to share supported media. Review the recipient and attachment before sending.
Adjust the session to suit the computer. If the sign-in page offers a Keep me signed in option, use it only on a computer you control and are comfortable leaving linked. On a shared or public computer, leave it unchecked and sign out before you finish.
Sign out when needed. In WhatsApp Web, open the menu (usually the three-dot button near the chat list) and choose Log out. You can also remove a browser from your phone under Linked devices: select the relevant device and tap Log out. If you cannot access the computer, remove it from your phone.

Common Mistakes

Scanning a code from an unfamiliar site. Only scan the code on the official WhatsApp Web page. A QR code can link a browser session to your account, so treat it like a sign-in request and never scan one someone sends you unexpectedly.
Using the wrong account or phone menu. Check which account is open on your phone. The linking route differs between Android and iPhone, so follow the matching instructions rather than looking for a menu in the same place on every device.
Closing the tab before linking finishes. Keep the page open until your chats appear. If the QR code expires or the page reloads, refresh it and scan the new code.
Leaving a session on a shared computer. Closing a tab may not sign you out. Use WhatsApp Web’s Log out option and, if you are unsure whether you did, remove the device from Linked devices on your phone.
Expecting every feature to behave exactly as it does on a phone. WhatsApp’s browser interface and available features can change. If a control is missing or a task is unavailable, try the phone app or the official desktop app.

Tips

Bookmark the official address after checking it. This makes it easier to return to the right page without relying on search results or links in messages.
Use a private, up-to-date browser and keep your computer’s screen lock enabled. On a computer shared with others, do not save sign-in state and remember to log out.
For privacy, check your Linked devices list occasionally and remove sessions you no longer recognize or use. Logging out remotely is useful if you forget to sign out at another computer.
If you use WhatsApp Web often, keep the browser tab available, but remember that notifications depend on your browser and computer settings. You may need to allow notifications for the site.
When sending a file, check the chat name and preview first. This simple check helps prevent sharing a message or attachment with the wrong conversation.

Troubleshooting

The QR code will not scan: Increase the brightness of the computer display, clean the phone camera lens, and hold the phone steady at a comfortable distance. Make sure the code is fully visible and has not expired; refresh the page to generate a new one if needed.
The page shows no QR code: Check that you typed the official address correctly, then reload the page. Try another current browser or a private window. Browser extensions, content blockers, or network restrictions can interfere, so temporarily disable relevant extensions or try a different trusted network.
Linking gets stuck or chats do not load: Confirm that both devices have a working internet connection. Reload WhatsApp Web, close and reopen WhatsApp on your phone, then scan the newly displayed code. If the issue continues, update WhatsApp and the browser, and restart the devices.
Messages are not sending or arriving: Check the connection and whether the correct chat is open. If the browser appears disconnected, reload it and relink if prompted. A temporary service interruption can also affect syncing, so wait briefly and try again.
You see an unfamiliar linked device: On your phone, open Linked devices, select the device or session you do not recognize, and log it out. Then secure your phone and account using the normal options available in WhatsApp, and do not scan QR codes you did not request.
Notifications do not appear: Check the browser’s site permissions and your computer’s notification settings. Make sure notifications are enabled for WhatsApp Web and that focus or do-not-disturb settings are not suppressing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WhatsApp Web work without my phone?
After you link a device, WhatsApp Web can work when your phone is offline. You still need the phone to link or manage devices, and the browser needs an internet connection.

Can I use WhatsApp Web on more than one computer?
You can link additional devices, within WhatsApp’s current device limits. Review Linked devices on your phone to see active sessions and remove any you no longer need.

Do I need to scan a QR code every time?
Not necessarily. A linked browser can remain signed in unless you log out, remove the device, or the session expires. On a shared computer, always log out rather than relying on the session to end by itself.

Is WhatsApp Web the same as the WhatsApp desktop app?
No. WhatsApp Web runs in a browser; the desktop app is installed on a computer. Both can provide access to your account, but their interface and available features may differ.

How do I log out of WhatsApp Web remotely?
Open WhatsApp on your phone, go to Linked devices, select the browser or computer session, and tap Log out.

Can I use WhatsApp Web on a tablet?
It may work in a tablet browser, depending on the browser and its settings. Open the official WhatsApp Web page; if it directs you to an app or does not show a QR code, try the browser’s desktop-site option or use a supported device.

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

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