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Typing replies on a phone works while a few customers write to you. Once chats come in all day, a keyboard, a big screen and your files close at hand save hours. That's why most businesses answer WhatsApp from a computer.
There are three ways to do it in 2026:
- A team inbox in your browser, like Chatfuel. Your whole team answers from one number, each with their own login, and an AI Agent replies first, day and night.
- WhatsApp Web, the WhatsApp Business app mirrored in a browser tab.
- The WhatsApp desktop app for Windows or Mac.
This guide shows how to set up each one, what works on a computer and what doesn't, and how to keep your account safe.
See also: WhatsApp Coexistence brings AI to your existing number
What is WhatsApp Business Web?
WhatsApp Business Web is the WhatsApp Business app running in a browser at web.whatsapp.com. It isn't a separate account. It's a linked device: you connect it to the app on your phone, and your chats, contacts and business tools appear on the computer. Messages stay end-to-end encrypted, and new ones sync between the phone and every linked device.
The desktop app for Windows and Mac works the same way, with a few extras such as calls and screen sharing. Both are free, and both still depend on the phone: everyone shares one account, and the phone stays the main device.
A team inbox works differently. Your number connects to Chatfuel through the official WhatsApp Business Platform, so every teammate signs in with their own account, and an AI Agent can answer customers before a person does.
| Chatfuel inbox | WhatsApp Web | WhatsApp desktop app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you work | Any browser at panel.chatfuel.com, plus the mobile app | Any browser at web.whatsapp.com | App for Windows or Mac |
| Who can reply | Unlimited teammates, each with their own login and role | Up to 4 linked devices sharing one account | Same as WhatsApp Web |
| Automatic replies | AI Agent answers 24/7 and hands chats to your team | Greeting and away messages only | Greeting and away messages only |
| Assigning chats | Assigned to and handoff rules | Only with a Meta Verified multi-agent subscription | Same as WhatsApp Web |
| Price | Paid plans with a free trial | Free | Free |
How to answer WhatsApp Business chats in your browser with Chatfuel
Chatfuel turns WhatsApp into a shared inbox that opens in any browser. The AI Agent answers every new chat right away, and your team steps in when a person is needed. Chatfuel is an official Meta Business Partner, so your number connects through the WhatsApp Business API, not through an unofficial workaround.
1. Connect your number and keep the app
Already use the WhatsApp Business app? With Coexistence, you keep the same number and keep using the app on your phone:
- In Chatfuel, open Settings, click Add number in the WhatsApp section and log in with Facebook.
- Pick your business portfolio, select Connect a WhatsApp Business app and enter your number. A QR code appears.
- On your phone, open the WhatsApp Business app and tap Connect in the message from Facebook Business. No message? Go to Settings → Account → Business Platform. Then scan the QR code.
- Choose whether to share your chats. Share chats imports up to 6 months of chat history and contacts. You can't change this choice later.
Your contacts, chat history and catalog stay where they are. Chatfuel then asks you to turn off the app's greeting message (Tools → Greeting message), so it doesn't answer on top of the AI Agent. Step-by-step guide: Connect a WhatsApp Business app number.
A new number that isn't on WhatsApp yet connects directly, with no app needed.
WhatsApp Web after you connect. According to Meta's Coexistence documentation, connecting logs out every linked device. Link WhatsApp Web and the Mac app again afterwards. The WhatsApp app for Windows isn't supported as a linked device on a Coexistence number, so use WhatsApp Web or the Chatfuel inbox in your browser instead. Meta also turns off disappearing messages, view once messages, live location and broadcast lists on that number.
2. Let the AI Agent answer first
Go to AI Agent → Automations, open Incoming messages under WhatsApp and turn it on. The AI Agent answers from your knowledge base: services, prices, opening hours and policies.
Then set up Switch to human agents with up to 20 rules per automation. Each rule has a condition, AI instructions for the message the customer gets, and the teammates who receive the chat.
3. Reply from Chats in any browser
Every conversation lands in Chats. When the AI Agent hands a chat over, it shows who the chat is Assigned to, and the teammate replies right there, with the full history above. Anyone can also take over a chat by replying, and the AI stops answering in that chat. A reply someone sends from the WhatsApp Business app on the phone pauses the AI in that chat as well.
More than 24 hours after the customer's last message, WhatsApp only lets you send an approved template. Use Send template under the message box for that.
4. Bring in your team
Go to Settings → Teammates → Invite teammate and send the link. Every plan includes unlimited teammates, with three roles: Admin, Editor and Agent. Agents answer chats and take them over from the AI, but can't change automations or AI settings. More in the Live chat overview.
5. Don't miss new chats
Allow notifications when your browser asks for them in Chatfuel. Alerts about new chats then arrive even when the Chatfuel tab is in the background, as long as it stays open. Away from the computer, answer from the Chatfuel mobile app for iPhone and Android.
See how Chatfuel works on WhatsApp
How to use WhatsApp Business Web in a browser
WhatsApp Web works in current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and Opera on Windows, Mac and Linux. Internet Explorer isn't supported.
- Open
web.whatsapp.comon your computer. A QR code appears. - Open the WhatsApp Business app on your phone:
- Android: tap More options (⋮) → Linked devices → Link a device.
- iPhone: go to Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device.
- Point the phone at the screen and scan the QR code. Your chats load in the browser.
You can also follow the steps on the page itself: scan the code with the phone's camera, tap the link to open WhatsApp, then scan the code again.
Without a QR code. Click Log in with phone number, enter your number, and WhatsApp shows an 8-character code. Type it on the phone after tapping the Enter code notification. See WhatsApp's guide.
On a shared computer, clear Stay logged in on this browser before you scan, so the session ends when you close the browser.
How to install WhatsApp Desktop on Windows
There's no separate WhatsApp Business download. One app per platform opens whichever account you link, personal or business.
- Go to
whatsapp.com/downloador open the Microsoft Store and search for WhatsApp. The app needs Windows 10 (64-bit, version 1903) or newer. - Click Get and wait for the install to finish.
- Open WhatsApp. It shows a QR code.
- On your phone, open Linked devices → Link a device and scan the code, as in the steps above. Or click Log in with phone number to link with a code.
How to install WhatsApp Desktop on Mac
- Download WhatsApp from
whatsapp.com/downloador the Mac App Store. The app needs macOS 12.1 or newer. - Open WhatsApp. It shows a QR code.
- On your phone, open Linked devices → Link a device and scan the code.
On a Mac, WhatsApp documents linking with the QR code only; the phone number option is for WhatsApp Web and Windows.
What works on desktop and what doesn't
Most of your daily work moves to the computer. A few business tools still live on the phone. Here's what WhatsApp's Help Center documents:
| Feature | WhatsApp Web and desktop app |
|---|---|
| Chats, photos, files, voice messages | Yes |
| Quick replies | You can use them, text only. Create and edit them on the phone (Tools → Quick replies) |
| Greeting and away messages | Set them up on the phone (Tools) |
| Catalog | Add and edit items on WhatsApp Web and Windows. On Mac, use the phone |
| Business profile | Edit it on WhatsApp Web or on the phone |
| Voice and video calls | In the Windows and Mac apps, up to 32 people. Calls in WhatsApp Web have been rolling out since July 2026 |
| Live location, broadcast lists, posting a status | Not on linked devices. Use the phone |
Linked device limits and security
- Four devices plus the phone. You can link up to four devices to one WhatsApp Business account. With a Meta Verified multi-agent subscription, up to 10, and you can assign chats to agents. With more than 4 linked devices, calls ring only on the phone.
- Open the app on the phone every 14 days. Linked devices work while the phone is offline, but they log out if the phone isn't used for more than 14 days. A linked device you don't open for 30 days logs out too.
- End-to-end encryption on every device. Each linked device connects to WhatsApp on its own and keeps the same encryption as the phone.
- Lock the app. In WhatsApp Web or on Windows, go to Settings → Privacy → App lock and set a password. WhatsApp then locks after the time you choose. See WhatsApp's guide to app lock.
- Log out remotely. Lost access to a computer? On the phone, open Linked devices, tap the device and tap Log out.
Summary
The fastest way to run WhatsApp Business from a computer is a team inbox in your browser. With Chatfuel, the AI Agent answers every chat first, handoff rules pass the rest to the right teammate, and your team replies from any browser or the mobile app. With Coexistence you keep the WhatsApp Business app on your phone too.
On your own, WhatsApp Web and the desktop app are free and fine for one or two people. Link them from Linked devices in the app, open the app on your phone at least every 14 days, and use the phone for greeting messages, broadcast lists and status.
FAQs
Can several people answer WhatsApp Business from computers at the same time?
Yes. In Chatfuel, every teammate signs in with their own account, sees who each chat is assigned to, and replies from any browser. All plans include unlimited teammates, and the AI Agent answers before anyone does.
In the WhatsApp Business app, up to four linked devices share one login. A Meta Verified multi-agent subscription raises that to 10 devices and lets you assign chats to agents.
Is WhatsApp Business Web free?
Yes. WhatsApp Web and the WhatsApp desktop apps for Windows and Mac are free. A team inbox with an AI Agent, like Chatfuel, is a paid platform with a free trial. See pricing.
What is the difference between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Business Web?
They are the same website, web.whatsapp.com. What you see depends on the account you link. Link the WhatsApp Business app, and the browser shows your business chats and tools such as the catalog and quick replies.
Do I need to keep my phone on to use WhatsApp Business Web?
No. Linked devices work while the phone is off or offline. Open WhatsApp Business on the phone at least every 14 days, or your linked devices log out.
Can I use the WhatsApp Business app and Chatfuel on the same number?
Yes, with Coexistence. You keep using the app on your phone, Chatfuel can import up to 6 months of chats and contacts, and the AI Agent answers in the shared inbox. When you reply to a customer from the app, the AI pauses in that chat.
Does WhatsApp Web still work after I connect my number to Chatfuel?
Yes, after you link it again. Meta logs out linked devices when a WhatsApp Business app number connects to the WhatsApp Business Platform. You can then link WhatsApp Web and the Mac app again. The Windows app isn't supported on a Coexistence number.
