Popular messaging service WhatsApp has expanded to the desktop, now allowing Chrome users to chat straight from their browser for extra convenience.
WhatsApp users have long been requesting this feature, as it can be easier to type on a laptop keyboard, for instance, instead of the virtual keys of a smartphone.
WhatsApp has finally reached the desktop, but there's a small catch - it's not available for any browser just yet, and it doesn't support all mobile platforms. More specifically, Chrome is the only browser currently supported, and Apple's iOS has not been invited to this party.
Chrome users will need the mobile app to log in, and have to keep their smartphones on and connected to the internet. In order for this to work, users also need to have the very latest version of WhatsApp, which has been updated on Jan. 21.
Once you've installed the latest version of the app, when you access the menu you will see a new option called "WhatsApp Web." Tap on that, open WhatsApp's web portal on your desktop, and scan the QR code with your Android, Windows Phone, or BlackBerry smartphone. The desktop version of WhatsApp does not support iOS at this point.
Scanning the QR code will automatically open your WhatsApp on the desktop, and you can start chatting with your contacts, as the scan links the browser with the app on your mobile device. As previously mentioned, your phone has to stay on and connected to the internet. Turning it off or activating the Airplane Mode will disable the browser session as well.
The desktop version of WhatsApp is still in its early stages, which is why its availability is rather limited at this point. In time, WhatsApp Web is expected to expand to other browsers, as well as the iOS platform, but it remains unclear at this point just when this will happen. When it comes to iOS, the desktop version of WhatsApp is not available due to Apple's "platform limitations."
For now, WhatsApp Web works well on the Chrome + Android combination we tested, with no lag or any apparent issues. The messages load up instantly, sound alerts notify you both in your phone and on your desktop when receiving a new message, and everything works seamlessly. Give it a shot and check back to share your impressions.
