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WhatsApp gets itself a web version, but iPhone owners won't be able to use it

The CEO of WhatsApp said that “Apple’s platform limitations” was the reason why no iOS version is available.

WHATSAPP HAS DECIDED to go from mobile to desktop by launching a web version of its popular service.

The website, which went live recently, is only accessible via QR code. The latest update to WhatsApp now has a web version option which will allow you to scan it.

Those on iOS are out of luck for now, however, as the service is only available to those on Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry. You also need to use Chrome on desktop to properly access it.

WhatsApp CEO and founder Jan Koum said that it wasn’t able to provide the web client to iOS users due to “Apple’s platform limitations.”

Once you access it, the web version mirrors all of your conversations and messages from your mobile device to the desktop. Your phone must still be connected to the internet for the service to work

WhatsApp web version What you will be greeted with when you load up WhatsApp's web verison. WhatsApp WhatsApp

WhatsApp recently announced it has more than 700 million monthly active users, and sees more than 30 billion messages sent every day. The company is also working on a voice call feature which is said to arrive in the first quarter of this year.

Read: Here are the WhatsApp features you may not have known about >

Read: WhatsApp users are sending 30 billion messages EVERY DAY >

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21 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Imogene O'Brien
    Favourite Imogene O'Brien
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:00 PM

    If your phone has to be connected to the internet for the web-based version to work, why would I not just use whatsapp on my phone then?

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Bartell
    Favourite Sam Bartell
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:18 PM

    Cos your fone could be at home, in the car or lost? Or hidden in your desk drawer but at least you’ll look busy while you play with the emoticon thingys

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian De Cleir
    Favourite Adrian De Cleir
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:50 PM

    Or sometimes it’s annoying going back to your phone when your tipping away on your computer

    28
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Burke
    Favourite Brian Burke
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    Jan 22nd 2015, 12:13 AM

    I’m a lot faster typing on my laptop than I am typing on my phone, so between that and Adrians point about not switching between computer and phone, I’ll definitely get some use out of this!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob Moloney
    Favourite Bob Moloney
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:08 PM

    Who has a Blackberry these days

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allan Farrell
    Favourite Allan Farrell
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:52 PM

    Barack Obama

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daddy De La Noche
    Favourite Daddy De La Noche
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    Jan 22nd 2015, 11:28 AM

    Actually I do, and if iPhone is so perfect then why don’t they have this option ????

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Doyle
    Favourite Michael Doyle
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:38 PM

    Class

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Byyys
    Favourite Byyys
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:36 PM

    Why bother Viber is way better… you can download Viber for desktop and use it just like Skype for Windos/Mac/Linx
    http://www.viber.com/en/products/windows

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob Mac
    Favourite Bob Mac
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:49 PM

    As a messaging app, I think WhatsApp is way better to b honest

    188
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute See My Vest
    Favourite See My Vest
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:52 PM

    I find them to be pretty much the same really. Viber occasionally annoys me by trying to get me to buy “stickers” but that aside they both do the job well.

    75
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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tallaght two
    Favourite Tallaght two
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:59 PM

    Have never really taken to vibe despite its advantage of calls. Just doesn’t seem as usable.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Byyys
    Favourite Byyys
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:20 PM

    “WhatsApp Web only works in Google Chrome” The above article dosent mention this… That being said looks like its all still in Beta stages then.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allan Farrell
    Favourite Allan Farrell
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:50 PM

    It does mention it

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Burke
    Favourite Simon Burke
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    Jan 21st 2015, 10:04 PM

    Can never understand how whatsapp is beating viber. This is a case in point. Whatsapp comes out with a crappy web based version and viber have had a really good desktop client for ages. The only reason I use whatsapp is when the people I am messaging don’t have viber.

    Agree with the poster about the annoying sticker messages on viber.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
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    Jan 22nd 2015, 8:17 PM

    I prefer WhatsApp on the phone, feels cleaner, better laid out,more native and less randomly buggy than viber. Not that vibers all that buggy. But the viber desktop client is excellent and its call quality has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Arthur Pewty
    Favourite Arthur Pewty
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    Jan 21st 2015, 10:01 PM

    Telegram > WhatsApp > Viber

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Molloy
    Favourite Seán Molloy
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    Jan 21st 2015, 9:00 PM

    Anyone know how to get this for windows phone? I saw the site but have no idea still :(

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute little jim
    Favourite little jim
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    Jan 21st 2015, 10:54 PM

    Have you looked behind the curtain?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Kavanagh
    Favourite Colm Kavanagh
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    Jan 21st 2015, 11:09 PM

    Just did it. Ya need to get the latest version of whatsapp from the store, then close whatsapp and reopen.In the menu there should be a new option “whatsapp web”. Press that and go to web.whatsapp.com in chorme on your PC and use your phone to scan the QR code. Logs you in to the desktop client then automatically.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Callaghan
    Favourite Tom Callaghan
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    Jan 22nd 2015, 1:04 AM

    What’s app was developed initially on java 2 so It would work with non smartphones, in third world countries. that’s how it has so many users, all the banger phones can use it.

    8
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