Table of Contents

Toggle

Before you follow these steps

WhatsApp menus and settings can change by app version, operating system, account type, country, and device maker. Use the steps below as a guide, but if a label on your screen is different, use the platform’s current Help or Settings search rather than assuming the older menu name is still exact.

Official help: WhatsApp support.

WhatsApp Web has introduced a convenient way for users to access their accounts on desktop computers. This new method eliminates the previous requirement of using QR codes, streamlining the process for seamless messaging and multitasking.

WhatsApp, a widely popular messaging platform for both casual and official conversations, previously mandated scanning QR codes for desktop access. However, users can now effortlessly log in to their desktop WhatsApp accounts using mobile phone numbers.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to enabling WhatsApp on your desktop without relying on QR codes:

1. Launch your preferred web browsers, such as Chrome or Microsoft Edge, on your desktop.
2. In the browser’s address bar, input “https://web.whatsapp.com/” and hit Enter. This action will take you to the WhatsApp Web page.
3. On the WhatsApp Web page, locate the “Link with phone number” option and click on it.
4. WhatsApp will prompt you to enter your phone number. Input your phone number in the designated field.
5. Simultaneously, open WhatsApp on your mobile device. Access the three-dot menu and select “Linked Devices.”
6. In the “Linked Devices” menu, tap “Link a device.” This action will initiate the security verification process.
7. On your mobile device, the camera will activate. Choose the “Link with phone number instead” option.
8. Returning to your desktop, once you’ve entered your phone number, click on “Next.” WhatsApp will generate an alphanumeric code comprising eight letters and digits.
9. You will receive a text message containing a one-time password (OTP) based on the alphanumeric code displayed on your desktop.
10. Input this OTP on your mobile device in the appropriate field to verify the code.
11. After entering the verification code, WhatsApp will automatically log you into your desktop account, completely eliminating the need for a QR code.

How to Send Your Own Custom GIF on WhatsApp?

Use WhatsApp on a computer

WhatsApp supports linked devices, so a computer can be connected to the account on your phone. The common method is to open WhatsApp Web or the desktop app and link it from the phone. WhatsApp also supports a Link with phone number option on supported clients, which is useful when scanning a QR code is difficult.

1. Open WhatsApp Web or the official desktop app.
2. Choose the normal QR-code linking method or Link with phone number if that option is shown.
3. On the phone, open WhatsApp and go to Linked devices.
4. Follow the on-screen verification steps.
5. After linking, review the Linked devices list and sign out any computer you no longer recognize or use.

Avoid entering WhatsApp verification codes on third-party websites. If a public or shared computer is used, sign out from the linked-devices screen when finished.

Official reference: WhatsApp Help Center — link with phone number.

Security after linking a computer

Treat a linked computer as another place where your messages can be viewed. Do not link a public computer unless necessary, and sign it out when finished. From the phone, review the Linked devices list from time to time and remove devices you do not recognize.

If a linking prompt appears when you did not start it, do not approve it. A person who gets access to your unlocked phone or verification flow may try to link another device. Keep the phone lock enabled and never share one-time codes sent for account verification.