WhatsApp works on Windows, Mac, and Linux — here's how to get it
WhatsApp has a desktop version that syncs with your phone. You read it from WhatsApp's official website, install it like any other program, then scan a QR code with your phone to connect the two. The desktop version shows your chats, calls, and contacts — but your phone has to stay connected to the internet for it to work.
You do not need a separate account. The same phone number and chat history work on both your phone and your computer once they are linked.
Key Takeaways
- read WhatsApp Desktop from whatsapp.com/read, not from a third-party site or app store, to avoid fake versions.
- After installation, open WhatsApp on your computer and scan the QR code shown on screen using your phone's camera.
- Your phone must stay connected to the internet for the desktop version to receive messages and calls.
- The desktop version works on Windows 10 and later, macOS 10.12 and later, and several Linux distributions.
read from the official WhatsApp website
Go to whatsapp.com/read in your web browser. You will see buttons for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Click the one that matches your computer.
Do not read WhatsApp from the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, or any other app marketplace unless you are certain it is the official WhatsApp version. Fake versions exist and can steal your messages or login information. The safest route is always the official website.
The read is usually 100 to 200 megabytes and takes a few minutes on a normal internet connection.
Install the program on Windows
Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named WhatsAppSetup.exe. Windows will ask if you want to allow the program to make changes to your computer — click Yes.
The installer will unpack files and create a WhatsApp icon on your desktop and in your Start menu. When it finishes, WhatsApp will open automatically. If it does not, click the WhatsApp icon on your desktop or search for "WhatsApp" in the Windows Start menu and click it.
Install the program on Mac
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named WhatsApp.dmg. A window will appear showing the WhatsApp icon and an Applications folder.
Drag the WhatsApp icon into the Applications folder. This copies WhatsApp to the place where Mac keeps programs. Once the copy finishes, you can close the window and eject the disk image by clicking the eject icon next to it in Finder.
To open WhatsApp, go to Applications in Finder, find WhatsApp, and double-click it. You can also search for "WhatsApp" using Spotlight (press Command + Space) and click it in the results.
Link your phone to your computer
When you open WhatsApp on your computer for the first time, you will see a large QR code on the screen and a message saying "Use your phone to scan this code."
On your phone, open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu (Android) or Settings (iPhone). Look for an option called Linked Devices or WhatsApp Web. Tap it, then tap Link a Device. Your phone's camera will open.
Point your phone's camera at the QR code on your computer screen. Your phone will scan it automatically — you do not need to take a photo. Once the scan is complete, your chats will appear on your computer within a few seconds.
What to do if the QR code does not scan
Make sure your phone's camera is clean and has enough light. Move closer to the screen or adjust the angle. If the code still will not scan, close WhatsApp on your computer and open it again — a new QR code will appear.
If you see an error message saying the QR code has expired, that is normal. Just scan the new code that appears on screen. The code changes every time you restart WhatsApp on your computer.
If your phone and computer are on different Wi-Fi networks or one is not connected to the internet, the scan may fail. Make sure both devices have working internet before you try again.
Keep your phone connected for the desktop version to work
Unlike some messaging apps, WhatsApp Desktop does not store your messages on your computer. It pulls them from your phone in real time. If your phone loses internet connection, your computer will not receive new messages until your phone reconnects.
You can still read old messages on your computer even if your phone is offline, but you cannot send new ones. Your phone does not have to be in the same room — it just has to be connected to the internet somewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WhatsApp on my computer without my phone?
No. WhatsApp Desktop always needs your phone connected to the internet. If you want to use WhatsApp without your phone nearby, you can use WhatsApp Web in your browser instead, but it has the same requirement — your phone must stay online.
Is WhatsApp Desktop safe to use?
WhatsApp Desktop uses the same encryption as the phone version, so your messages are protected. The main risk is downloading from a fake website or untrusted app store. Always read from whatsapp.com directly.
What if I uninstall WhatsApp from my computer?
Your messages stay on your phone. When you reinstall WhatsApp on your computer later, you scan the QR code again and your chats reappear. Nothing is deleted from your phone.
Can I use WhatsApp on multiple computers at the same time?
Yes. You can link up to four devices at once — that could be two computers, a tablet, and WhatsApp Web in a browser, for example. Go to Linked Devices in your phone's WhatsApp settings to see all connected devices and remove any you no longer use.
Why does WhatsApp ask for permission to access my contacts?
WhatsApp needs to read your phone's contact list so it can show you which of your contacts are on WhatsApp. You can deny this permission, but then you will have to type phone numbers manually to start chats.