How to use WhatsApp on your computer while you work

WhatsApp has become a work tool for a long time. And now that we have to improvise a work office at home, it is essential to know how to use it so that our productivity is not affected.

Using WhatsApp from your mobile is great, but using it from your computer can give you a plus to concentrate on a single work environment.

If you've never used WhatsApp from your computer, don't worry, we'll give you some tips to take advantage of all its functions and customize it according to your work style.

How to use WhatsApp on your computer

You can use WhatsApp on your computer, either using the web version or its desktop application.

For the web version of WhatsApp just go to this link, and follow the instructions you see on the page:

Once you scan the QR code to link your account, your WhatsApp will open in the web browser. And if you prefer the desktop version of WhatsApp,just download it from this link, and follow the same steps.

Now that you have WhatsApp on your computer, let's see some details to personalize your account for work.

Activate and manage WhatsApp notifications

Notifications can undermine your productivity, but you can't always do without them. But don't worry, you have some options to manage WhatsApp notifications on your computer.

If this is the first time you are using the web version or the desktop app, you will see a message (1) to activate notifications . Once you select it, your web browser will ask you if you give the corresponding permission. Just accept and go.

And if you don't see the message, go directly to Settings >> Notifications (2) and check the option “Desktop Alerts”.

From there you can customize some details:

Decide if you want to show a preview of messages
Turn sounds on or off
Deactivate alerts for a certain time. If you want to focus on a project, you can turn off notifications for a period of time, from an hour to a week.
Or you can disable notifications for a specific contact from their profile, just like you do from the WhatsApp mobile app.

What can you do with WhatsApp from your computer?

These versions of WhatsApp have almost the same functions as the mobile app, but thanks to the dynamics of the computer you can implement them more easily. Or in some cases, you can combine several features to find a new utility.

Let's review some tasks that you can perform from WhatsApp web or its desktop version:

Sending emojis with the keyboard Formal conversations are long gone, and some emojis always sneak into work chats . The good thing is that you will be able to use the keyboard to find the correct emoji, without wasting time. The trick is simple, just write a colon followed by the word that corresponds to your emoji and that's it.

You can transfer files from your mobile to your PC If you want to transfer files, screenshots or other content that you have on your mobile, you can do so applying this little trick. Create a group with a close friend or your partner. Then you remove that contact from the group and you will have this private space for your content.
You can create and manage groups. You don't need your mobile to interact in groups or manage them, since these versions of WhatsApp follow the same dynamics.
Attach files with just drag and drop. WhatsApp will show you a preview of the files, so you can check before sending them. And of course, you can add comments.

You can see archived or starred chats. You will find these options by displaying the menu at the top, just choose what you you want and it will take you to that section.
Moderate messages sent or received. There is no secret to this, since it has the same options as the mobile app: delete, highlight, archive.
Send audio messages. Just select the corresponding icon, give WhatsApp permission to access the computer's microphone and you're ready to go to send voice messages.

The only thing you might miss in the versions of WhatsApp for computers is that they don't have support for calls or video calls. To do this, you will have to continue to depend on the mobile app.

Tricks to simplify the dynamics of WhatsApp on the computer

There are some tips that you can keep in mind to save yourself a few steps when using WhatsApp on your device. For example, you can use keyboard shortcuts in Windows for basic functions:

Ctrl + N: Open new chat
Ctrl + Shift + ]: Go to the next chat
Ctrl + Shift + [: Return to the previous chat
Ctrl + E: Archive the chat
Ctrl + Shift + M: Mute chat
Ctrl + Backspace: Delete chat
Ctrl + Shift + U: Mark as unread
Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new group
Ctrl + P: Open profile
Altt + F4: Close the chat window

In the case of the Mac you apply the same keyboard shortcut, but replacing Ctrl by Command. And if you plan to use WhatsApp on your computer frequently, you can pin it to the taskbar or shortcuts.

Or you can configure the open of the WhatsApp app when you start the operating system of your device. To do this, go to Settings >> Desktop settings >> Open WhatsApp on login

How to maintain privacy using WhatsApp on your computer

You are at home and it may be difficult to maintain some level of privacy with your work if there are many in the family. You know, they enter without warning or look at your PC with the typical question: What are you doing?

If you work with sensitive information or simply want to maintain privacy, you can consider Privacy Extension For WhatsApp Web.

This extension allows you to hide certain content from your WhatsApp account. For example, you can specify that the profile photo of your contacts, chats, contact names, images, among other possibilities.

You can manage all these options from the extension. To see the hidden information you just have to hover the mouse pointer. It is simple and practical. Another option that can help you if you share a computer is to log in incognito mode in your web browser.

As you use WhatsApp on your computer, you'll find new ways to use it or customize its features for your work style.