Users of the WhatsApp on iOS devices have finally got reasons to rejoice: the massively popular instant messaging service’s web browser client is now available for iPhones. iPhone users can now pair the app with their computers like Blackberry, Windows phone and Android users are already able to.
To install the web client, you first need to be updated to the latest version of WhatsApp. If you don’t already have it, or don’t know, go to the App Store and click on “Updates”. Note that WhatsApp for iOS is rolling out in a phased manner so you might not have the latest version lined up for you. If you see the “Update” icon for your app, go ahead and install it. You might need to re-enter your App Store password.
Once that’s done, go to web.whatsapp.com. Fire up the WhatsApp app on your phone, go to “Settings”, and scan the QR code from your browser screen. That’s it. You are paired.
While Apple’s iMessage is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Mac, WhatsApp’s popularity around the world is largely due to its cross-platform support. It’s low cost replaces pricey SMS/MMS in some regions and especially for friends and family communicating between countries.
WhatsApp’s web client was originally launched in January 2015, but this is the first time it has been available for iPhones. In a blogpost to announce the initial release of its web presence, WhatsApp wrote:
“Our web client is simply an extension of your phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device – this means all of your messages still live on your phone.”
At the time, it was stated that the company would “not be able to provide web client to our iOS users due to Apple platform limitations.”