Whatsapp

[dsvd]

hi, can whatsapp be installed and accessed from a laptop without having a smartphone ?

thanks

[chelle7272]

Yes

https://faq.whatsapp.com/1513589699119080/?cms_platform=windows-desktop

 

[barry1010]

You still need to link it to a smartphone 

[ToraToraTora]

no it needs a smartphone because it is associated with a phone number.

[Old_Geezer]

You still need a mobile. However I used to be able to get it mirrored on my tablet & PC (and assume it would be the same for a laptop) but various upgrades must have screwed it because it became utterly unreliable and I eventually gave up on it, years ago.

[morkaljohn]

No, WhatsApp requires an active smartphone with a mobile number to set up and use the messaging service. While there is a web version of WhatsApp that can be accessed through a browser on a laptop or desktop computer, it still requires the WhatsApp application on a smartphone for initial setup and authentication. Once set up, you can use WhatsApp Web to send and receive messages using your computer, but the smartphone needs to be connected to the internet for WhatsApp Web to work.

[New Judge]

People keep asking me to install Whatsapp. 

I had a heated discussion with a taxi firm in Tenerife a couple of months back. I'd booked a taxi to take me from the airport to my hotel. The day before departure I had a text asking me to ensure my "Whatsapp" was the latest version as the driver might want to contact me. I said I don't use Whatsapp, have no intention of doing so and if he wants to contact me he can text me or (believe it or not) actually speak to me.

I was told that Whatsapp is the only way he could contact me and I suggested he would be out of luck if he needed to get me. How can this be and what's the difference between using it and texting me?

[Old_Geezer]

Cost possibly. Once you pay for unlimited data you send as many messages as you like. But they may be paying per text.

[barry1010]

No plan has limited texts these days, especially if you are paying for unlimited data.  Even my £4 a month PAYG has unlimited texts

[ToraToraTora]

16:15 judge, whatsapp does everything using the web thus calls and texts are free.

[barry1010]

No they are not free, they use your data allowance

[ToraToraTora]

Most people have plenty of data allowance and use WIFI most of the time anyway. By free I mean you already pay for it. It is especially useful for international calls etc.

[Prudie]

Whatsapp uses the internet provider and texts the mobile provider (eg when I'm at home I whatsapp using TalkTalk and text using vodafone). OG is probably right ref costs as when abroad it costs to send and receive normal texts, especially say from a spanish phone to a UK one if you don't have free roaming.

[ToraToraTora]

I have a son in South Korea, whatsapp is invaluable.

[Prudie]

Lucky son - a  visit to S Korea is top of my wish list

[ToraToraTora]

I'm going later this year, just in the process of renewing my passport.

[barry1010]

A taxi driver would not be using WiFi most of the time

[Samuraisan]

I have been to SK 15 times during my work life, during the last 10 years. Great place, lovely people and interesting food. Absolutely love the BBQs. Youarein for a treat TTT. Don't think it is similar to Japan though, as many people do. 

[New Judge]

“Cost possibly. Once you pay for unlimited data you send as many messages as you like. But they may be paying per text.”

“16:15 judge, whatsapp does everything using the web thus calls and texts are free.”

Thanks both. So basically I have to instal an app that I don’t want and will never use in order to save taxi drivers and others who might want to contact me the cost of a call. Thought it might be something like that.
 

[calmck]

Portugal Nearly all delivery drivers and taxis, Uber etc here use WhatsApp for directions and my calls to UK are basically free

[Smowball]

I use WhatsApp to spk to most people these days.