WhatsApp is an instant messaging app for mobile devices.
It is probably the most popular messenger app with over 800 million active users. It is a great tool to exchange multimedia messages over internet. It supports most mobile devices today with OSs, like the iOS, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, Nokia Series 40 and Windows Phone.
Though WhatsApp has been around for more than six years, the users of this application have been surviving without a desktop version. While there are many instant messaging apps that came after WhatsApp, most of them already have PC versions of their mobile apps. WhatsApp has lagged behind in this area and it was just recently that the users of this popular service got a taste of the PC version of the application.
How to use WhatsApp on PC
First, you need to download an Android Emulator to accomplish this. We have tried it with the Bluestacks App Player, but you are free to use any emulator. You will also need your cell phone to verify your WhatsApp number.
Once you have downloaded Bluestacks App Player on your PC, run the file to install it.
Wait for a few minutes for the installation to finish.
Leave the Bluestacks App Player open and go to your browser to download the WhatsApp apk file.
Double click the WhatsApp apk file on your PC and it will automatically install itself in the Bluestacks App Player.
You will see a grid of the applications you’ve installed in the Bluestacks. Find WhatsApp and launch it.
Enter your phone number to verify your account.
Wait for about five minutes for WhatsApp to verify your phone number.
After a few minutes you will be given an option for voice verification. Select “Call me”.
You will get a phone call right away. Pick the phone and answer it. You will hear the verification code being spoken. The caller will repeat the code several times.
Enter the code in WhatsApp and you are good to go.
Remember, if you use this method, none of your phone contacts will show up. However, you can still reply to messages you receive. You can add contacts manually to WhatsApp (running in Bluestacks App Player).
Also, any group you are part of will not show up on the computer. You will therefore need to ask the group admin to add you to the group again.
As you can see, you are essentially creating a new WhatsApp account here. Again, you won’t be able to use WhatsApp on your phone and at the same time use in your PC. That just does not make sense to most users.
WhatsApp Web
The Good news is that WhatsApp has recently rolled out WhatsApp web. WhatsApp web does not need emulators. However, WhatsApp web client is only capable of serving the Windows Phone, Android and Blackberry users.
Despite the few drawbacks associated with WhatsApp PC version, we would recommend giving it a try. It is free and setup is nearly exactly the same. So give it a shot and see which of the two versions (PC or mobile version) offer the best experience.
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