This is how you can sign into WhatsApp Web on your laptop and minimise Screen Time

WhatsApp Web lets you use WhatsApp on your laptop or PC, perfect if you're tired of reaching for your phone constantly while at work or away from your Android or iPhone.

With this feature, you can read, send, and receive messages directly from your computer—type messages on a real keyboard, see your conversations on a bigger screen, and avoid the constant phone shuffle. Pretty convenient, right?

It's compatible with most browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera, without downloads. 

Moreso, your web and mobile chats stay synced. You'll still see the double tick marks for delivered messages, which turn blue when read and pick up conversations without interruption.

Logging in and using the feature is simple, and we’ll guide you step-by-step.

Read Also: How to schedule a WhatsApp call on your Android or iPhone

To use WhatsApp Web on your laptop, you need your mobile phone to sign in

But first, you need to:

1. Open your default web browser and head to https://web.whatsapp.com/.

2. Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu (Android) or Settings (iPhone). Navigate to "WhatsApp Web/Desktop."

3. Point your phone's camera at the code displayed on your computer screen. 

The scanning process needs a little more attention. 

After scanning the QR code for the first time, a notification will pop up on your phone confirming the login attempt. Clicking "Continue" on your phone will prompt you to use your Face ID, password, or fingerprint setup for further verification. 

Once verified, you can proceed by tapping "Link Device" on your phone. After this, scan the QR code again to load your chats seamlessly onto the web interface. 

Bonus Tip: If you want your PC to remember the login every time you use WhatsApp Web, check the "Keep me signed in" option on your computer to avoid rescanning the code each time.

That’s it! You're connected.

Once connected, your phone will show a notification that you’re logged in to WhatsApp Web.

Note that: Both your PC and smartphone require an active internet connection for WhatsApp Web to work.

You can also sign in to WhatsApp Web using your phone number

This method offers an alternative way to connect, especially if you can't access the QR code.

Here's how it works:

• Open WhatsApp Web on your computer by visiting https://web.whatsapp.com/.
• Look for the option "Link with Phone Number" (it might be below the QR code).
• Enter your phone number, including the country code.
• WhatsApp will send an 8-digit code to your phone.
• On your phone, open WhatsApp and enter the code to verify your identity.
• Once verified, you'll be logged in to WhatsApp Web on your computer.

What can you do with WhatsApp Web?

1. Send and receive messages: Chat with your contacts just like you would on your phone.

2. Share files, photos, and videos: Keep the conversation flowing with multimedia content.

3. Check statuses: See what your contacts are up to.

4. Archive and block chats: Organise your conversations and manage unwanted interactions.

Things to keep in mind

WhatsApp Web currently focuses on messaging and does not support voice or video calls yet. Additionally, you won't be able to update your status directly from the web interface, though you can still view updates from your contacts. It's also important to note that WhatsApp Web can only be active on one computer at a time.

To use WhatsApp Keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac

WhatsApp Web supports several keyboard shortcuts for both Windows and Mac users, which can be especially useful during busy times:

• Mark Unread: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + U (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Shift + U (Mac)
• Archive Chat: Ctrl + Alt + E (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + E (Mac)
• Pin/Unpin Messages: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Shift + P (Mac)
• Search in Chat: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Shift + F (Mac)
• New Chat: Ctrl + Alt + N (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + N (Mac)
• Settings: Ctrl + Alt + , (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + , (Mac)
• Mute Chat: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Shift + M (Mac)
• Delete Chat: Ctrl + Alt + Backspace (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Backspace (Mac)
• Search in Chat List: Ctrl + Alt + / (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + / (Mac)
• New Group: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Shift + N (Mac)
• Open Profile: Ctrl + Alt + P (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + P (Mac)
• Return Space: Shift + Enter

How to log out and manage devices

You can log out from WhatsApp Web by tapping the three-dot menu located above the chat box and selecting "Log out.

On your phone, you can also manage all your connected devices. 

Open WhatsApp, tap the three-dot menu, and select "WhatsApp Web/Desktop." Here you can see active sessions and log out of individual devices or all at once.

Should I download the WhatsApp desktop App on my PC?

If you often find yourself accidentally closing the web version tab, you might consider downloading the WhatsApp desktop app. Does the WhatsApp desktop app offer any advantages over WhatsApp Web though? Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

Pros of using WhatsApp Web:

Easy to access, no download required, works on most browsers.

Cons of using WhatsApp Web:

Limited features compared to the desktop app (no voice/video calls yet), might consume more system resources depending on your browser usage, and requires keeping a browser tab open.

Pros of using WhatsApp Desktop App:

A dedicated app experience offers more features like voice/video calls (if available in your region), might use fewer system resources compared to the web version, and can run in the background even when you close the app window.

Cons of using WhatsApp Desktop App:

Requires downloading and installing the app, and takes up additional storage space on your computer.

To download WhatsApp Web on your Windows or Mac:

• Visit the official WhatsApp download page: https://www.whatsapp.com/download 
• Click on "Download for Mac OS" or "Download for Windows OS (Get it from Microsoft Store)."
• Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the app.
• When you launch it, both the web app and the web browser version will prompt you to scan a QR code. 

Keep in mind that unless you actively sign out of WhatsApp, you remain signed in.