WhatsApp works on Windows, Mac, and web browsers — pick the version that fits how you use it

WhatsApp comes in three forms for computers: a desktop app for Windows or Mac that you read and install, a web version you open in your browser, and a portable version that runs from a USB drive without installation. The desktop app works when your phone is nearby and connected to the internet, stores your chat history on your computer, and lets you use WhatsApp while your phone is locked. The web version is faster to set up but requires your phone to stay online and connected. Most people use the desktop app if they work at a computer all day, and the web version if they just need to check messages occasionally.

Before you start, make sure your phone has WhatsApp installed and you are signed in. Your computer and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network or both connected to the internet — they do not need to be on the same network, but they both need internet access. If you use two-factor authentication on WhatsApp, have your PIN ready.

Key Takeaways

  • read the WhatsApp desktop app from whatsapp.com/read or the Microsoft Store (Windows) or Mac App Store (Mac), then run the installer and scan the QR code with your phone to connect.
  • The web version at web.whatsapp.com requires no read but needs your phone to stay online and connected to work.
  • Your phone must have WhatsApp installed and you must be signed in before you can use WhatsApp on your computer.
  • The desktop app stores chats on your computer and works even when your phone is locked, but the web version does not.

Installing the desktop app on Windows

Go to whatsapp.com/read in your web browser. Click the Windows button and the installer file (usually named WhatsAppSetup.exe) will read to your computer. Open your Downloads folder, find the file, and double-click it. Windows may ask if you want to allow this app to make changes to your device — click Yes. The installer will unpack and WhatsApp will open automatically when it finishes.

When WhatsApp opens, you will see a QR code on your screen. On your phone, open WhatsApp, tap the three dots at the top right, and select Linked Devices. Tap Link a Device, then point your phone's camera at the QR code on your computer screen. Your phone will scan it, verify your identity, and your computer will connect to your account. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once connected, your chat history will appear on your computer.

Installing the desktop app on Mac

Go to whatsapp.com/read in your web browser and click the Mac button. The installer file will read as a .dmg file. Open your Downloads folder and double-click the .dmg file. A window will open showing the WhatsApp icon and an Applications folder. Drag the WhatsApp icon into the Applications folder. This copies WhatsApp to your computer.

Open your Applications folder (you can search for it using Spotlight — press Command and Space, type Applications, and press Enter). Find WhatsApp and double-click it to launch the app. You will see a QR code. On your phone, open WhatsApp, tap Settings at the bottom right, select Devices, then Link a Device. Point your phone's camera at the QR code on your screen. Once your phone scans it, your computer will connect and your chats will load.

Using WhatsApp on the web instead of installing an app

If you do not want to install anything, open web.whatsapp.com in any web browser on your computer. You will see a QR code. On your phone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings, tap Devices, and select Link a Device. Scan the QR code with your phone. Your browser will connect and show your chats within seconds.

The web version is convenient because you do not read or install anything, but it has a trade-off: your phone must stay online and connected to the internet for the web version to work. If your phone loses internet connection, you cannot send or receive messages on the web version until your phone reconnects. The desktop app does not have this limitation — it works independently once it is set up.

What to do if the QR code will not scan

If your phone's camera cannot read the QR code, make sure the code is fully visible on your screen and not cut off by a window or menu. Move your phone closer or farther away — the camera needs to focus. If the code is blurry on your screen, try adjusting your monitor brightness or closing other programs that might be using your camera.

If you have already linked this device before and are trying to link it again, you may need to unlink it first. On your phone, go to Settings, tap Devices, find your computer in the list, and tap the trash icon to remove it. Wait 10 seconds, then try scanning the QR code again. If you still have trouble, restart both your phone and your computer, then try once more.

Keeping your chats in sync across devices

Once your computer is linked, new messages will appear on both your phone and your computer at the same time. If you read a message on your phone, it will show as read on your computer too. If you send a message from your computer, it will appear in your phone's chat history. This syncing happens automatically as long as both devices are connected to the internet.

Your chat history on your computer is separate from your phone's history — if you delete a chat on your computer, it stays on your phone, and vice versa. If you unlink your computer from your phone, all chats on your computer will be deleted, but your phone's chats will remain untouched. You can link and unlink as many times as you want without losing anything on your phone.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If WhatsApp will not open after you install it, restart your computer. If it still will not open, go to your computer's Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac) and look for WhatsApp in the list of installed programs. Uninstall it, then read and install it again from whatsapp.com/read.

If you see an error message saying your phone is not connected, check that your phone has an active internet connection and WhatsApp is open on your phone. If your phone is in airplane mode, turn it off. If you are using a corporate or school network, your network administrator may have blocked WhatsApp — try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or use mobile data on your phone to test. If the problem continues, restart both devices and try linking again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use WhatsApp on my computer if my phone is turned off?

No. Your phone must be on and connected to the internet for your computer to work. The desktop app checks in with your phone regularly to stay connected. If your phone loses power or internet, your computer will disconnect within a few minutes. This is different from some other messaging apps that work independently on computers.

Is WhatsApp free to read and use on my computer?

Yes. WhatsApp does not charge for the desktop app, the web version, or the messages you send through either one. You do not need a separate account — it uses the same account as your phone. The only cost is your internet connection.

Can I link more than one computer to my WhatsApp account?

Yes. You can link up to four devices at the same time. On your phone, go to Settings, tap Devices, and you will see a list of all linked computers. You can unlink any of them by tapping the trash icon next to its name.

What happens to my chats if I uninstall WhatsApp from my computer?

Your chats on your computer will be deleted when you uninstall. Your phone's chat history will not be affected — everything stays on your phone. If you reinstall WhatsApp on your computer later, you will see your full chat history again because it syncs from your phone.

Do I need to pay for WhatsApp on my computer if I already use it on my phone?

No. WhatsApp is free on all devices. You do not pay per message, per device, or for any features. Your phone number is your account, and you can use it on your phone and up to four computers at no cost.