Header Banner
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps
Home
Digiwonk

WhatsApp Makes Its Web Debut; Kills Off Popular Third-Party App

Jan 22, 2015 12:54 AM
WhatsApp to Chrome logo transfer illustration

In a long-awaited move, the popular messaging platform WhatsApp has finally made its official web debut. Desktop and laptop owners will be happy to know that they can now message their favorite contacts directly from their computers, without the need to install additional apps.

For now, the new web interface requires that you're using Google's Chrome browser. Also, it's not currently available for iOS users, but it is already live for Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. Just make sure the app on your mobile device is up to date, then head to web.whatsapp.com on your computer to begin.

WhatsApp Web QR code for login instructions.

Once you've made it this far, open WhatsApp on your mobile device and head to the app's main menu. From there, select the new "WhatsApp Web" entry, then line up your phone's camera with the QR Code on the computer.

WhatsApp menu options on a mobile device screen.
QR code scanning tutorial for WhatsApp Web on a mobile device.
WhatsApp menu options on a mobile device screen.
QR code scanning tutorial for WhatsApp Web on a mobile device.

Your account will be paired with the web interface at this time, and all of your existing message threads will be synced between your devices. WhatsApp recommends that you enable Wi-Fi on your smartphone so that the syncing process does not count against your mobile data cap.

A person holding a smartphone displaying the WhatsApp logo, with connection instructions.

WhatsApp+ Receives Cease & Desist Letter

In other WhatsApp-related news, a popular third-party variant of the official app was ordered to stop operations today. WhatsApp+ offered Android users many customization options over the official client, but development has been shut down in accordance with a cease and desist letter from WhatsApp, Inc.

According to a statement issued by WhatsApp+ developer Mounib Al Rifai, development of the third-party app stopped last night, and its community will be shut down later today.

In the end, it was a day of ups and downs for the wildly-popular messaging service. Are you more excited for the good news, or upset about the bad news? Let us know in the comment section below.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!