If you are a iPhone, Android, Blackberry or Windows Phone user, you might be familiar with the WhatsApp application that allows you to chat and send free SMS with your friends. It is such a useful app, to the extend that it has completely replaced my default SMS app. WhatsApp is tied to your mobile number and that is why it can only be used on a mobile device. What if you want to use it on your Windows desktop? Here’s how to do so.
For this tutorial, we’ll be using a free app call Bluestacks to install the Android version of WhatsApp on your Windows desktop. If you are using a Mac, you can also check out the Bluestacks for Mac, though it is pretty new and doesn’t support as many apps as the Windows version.
Download and install Bluestacks for Windows.
Install the WhatsApp application in Bluestacks (it usually appears in the sidebar. If not, you can search for it in the search bar).
Once installed, click on the WhatsApp application to launch it.
Click the “Agree and Continue” button to proceed.
- Enter your country and mobile number.
When it prompts you to verify the mobile number, click OK.
Sit back and wait as it tries to verify your account. It should fail since your desktop doesn’t come with the capability to receive SMS. Once the verification failed, it will give you a “Call me” option to verify your account. Click “Call Me”. Remember to have your mobile phone by your side to receive the call.
Once the verification is completed, you will be able to use WhatsApp to chat and send free SMS with your friends on your desktop.
The bad thing about this is that WhatsApp can only run on one platform at any one time. If you are using WhatsApp on your desktop, it is best to turn off the Internet connection on your mobile so the WhatsApp on your mobile is not operating. Another thing is that the chat log is not synced over the server, so your chat log on your desktop won’t appear in your mobile. This will definitely lead to a break in the conversation thread.
Image credit: Chat Button by Big Stock Photo.
Damien Oh started writing tech articles since 2007 and has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He is proficient in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS, and worked as a part time WordPress Developer. He is currently the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Make Tech Easier.
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