How to Use WhatsApp on PC & Laptop

There are many people who are still confused about how to use WhatsApp on PC. It’s actually pretty simple and easy to install WhatsApp on PC and if you’re one of those people who use PC a lot, you should try it. While it might not be as conventional as the mobile version, installing the PC version might save a lot of time from looking at your phone too often. Besides, you don’t have to choose between a PC or a mobile version, you can use both at the same time. If you have multiple versions of WhatsApp installed, all devices will receive messages at the same time, there is literally no downside to having multiple versions.

In this article, we’re going to explain it in detail how to use WhatsApp on PC, but let’s get to know this software or app a little better.

How to Use WhatsApp on PC & Laptop Easy Without Software

For those of you who are still not familiar with WhatsApp, it’s a freeware, cross-platform messaging, and Voice over IP or VOIP service and is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). It was created by WhatsApp Inc based in Mountain View, California, which was acquired by Meta back in 2014. By 2025, WhatsApp has become the most popular messaging application all around the world with over 2 billion users. For some countries like India, Brazil, Pakistan, Spain, and France, WhatsApp is the primary means of communication. Now you know why so many people are asking how to use WhatsApp on PC.

With WhatsApp, you can send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, links, documents, user locations, and many other media. You can also make or join group chats with people from all around the world. These group chats can either be private or public. In 2025, WhatsApp also introduced enhanced Communities and Channels features for better organization and broadcasting.

There are two main versions of WhatsApp for desktop: WhatsApp Web (browser-based) and WhatsApp Desktop (standalone app). The desktop versions can be used as long as the mobile device’s version is connected to the internet during that time. WhatsApp mobile version requires the user to register their cellular mobile number for registering with the service, otherwise it won’t be usable. In January 2018, WhatsApp released a business standalone app for small business owners, and it’s called WhatsApp Business. It allows companies to communicate with customers who use the standard version of the WhatsApp client, and there will be a small caption that says the message is sent from the Business version.

WhatsApp on PC: Use WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop

So, to answer the question of how to use WhatsApp on PC. In 2025, you have two excellent options: WhatsApp Web (browser-based) and WhatsApp Desktop (standalone app). Both methods require you to install WhatsApp on your phone first, otherwise, it won’t work. Here’s how to set up both:

WhatsApp on PC

WhatsApp Web Setup

WhatsApp Web is the browser-based version that works on any operating system with a modern web browser.

  1. Visit web.whatsapp.com on your computer using any web browser that you like. (recommended Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge)
  2. Next, open WhatsApp on your phone.
  3. Open Chats menu and select Menu and then WhatsApp Web.
  4. You will see a QR code on your computer screen, scan it with your phone.
  5. WhatsApp is now open on your web browser, now you can read and send messages like you would on your phone.
  6. Remember to log out when you’re finished. Click the three-dot menu just above the Chats list on the left-hand side of the screen.
  7. Click Log Out at the bottom of the list.

select WhatsApp web

WhatsApp Desktop Setup (2025)

WhatsApp Desktop is the standalone application that offers more features and better performance than the web version.

For Windows:

  1. Ensure you have Windows 10.1 64-bit (version 1903 or newer)
  2. Visit the Microsoft App Store and search for “WhatsApp Desktop”
  3. Download and install the app
  4. Open the app and scan the QR code with your phone

For Mac:

  1. Ensure you have macOS 11 or later
  2. Visit WhatsApp.com/download and download the Mac version
  3. Alternatively, get it from the Apple App Store
  4. Install the app and scan the QR code with your phone

Note: You can use up to 4 connected devices simultaneously, but you need to log in to your primary phone every 14 days to maintain the connections.

WhatsApp Web vs WhatsApp Desktop: Key Differences in 2025

❮ Swipe table left/right ❯
Feature WhatsApp Desktop App WhatsApp Web
Installation Requires download and setup Browser-based; no download required
Performance Faster and more stable May depend on browser speed
Features Full feature support including video calls Limited to messaging and basic features
Device Connectivity Works even when phone is offline temporarily Requires active phone connection
Additional Features Keyboard shortcuts, screen sharing, voice message transcripts Basic functionality only
Security More secure (app-based) Vulnerable if browser is compromised

New WhatsApp Features in 2025

WhatsApp has introduced several exciting new features in 2025 that enhance the desktop experience:

  1. Export Chat Histories: Easily export your chat histories for backups or forwarding chats
  2. Creative Camera Effects: Customize photos and videos with about 30 different filters and effects
  3. Improved Reaction Options: Enhanced emoji reactions with more options and better animations
  4. Voice Message Transcripts: Convert voice messages to text for easy reading
  5. Meta AI Integration: Enhanced AI-powered features for smarter messaging
  6. Enhanced Communities: Better organization and event management for groups
  7. WhatsApp Channels: One-way broadcasting to unlimited followers
  8. Design Updates: Comprehensive UI improvements for better user experience

How to Turn on WhatsApp Desktop Notifications

To make sure that you won’t miss out anything while working on your computer, you should turn on desktop notifications.

  1. After launching WhatsApp interface on your PC for the first time, you will be presented with the option of turning on desktop notifications
  2. This option is highlighted in blue just above your chat list
  3. Click “Turn on Desktop Notifications”
  4. A pop-up will ask you to allow notifications and click “Allow”

How to Log Out WhatsApp on Your PC

You can log out directly from your phone:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your phone
  2. Open Chats screen and select Menu and open “Linked Devices”
  3. You can see all connected computers or devices connected to your WhatsApp account
  4. You can log out from individual devices or log out everything from there

This logout method works for Android and iPhone.

Benefits of Using WhatsApp on PC in 2025

  1. Increased Productivity: Don’t need to check your phone constantly – focus on your tasks and reply promptly
  2. Better Multitasking: Switch between conversations and other apps seamlessly
  3. Physical Keyboard: More comfortable for typing long messages or business communications
  4. File Sharing: Easy integration with other tools like Google Drive or Dropbox
  5. Desktop Notifications: Get instant notifications without checking your phone
  6. Enhanced Features: Access to latest 2025 features like voice transcripts and camera effects

We hope that this article answers your question on how to use WhatsApp on PC and find that using WhatsApp on PC can be very productive and convenient in 2025!