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WhatsApp web: messaging client finally available on internet browsers

Kashmira Gander

Wednesday 21 January 2015 20:03 GMT

WhatsApp is now available on web browsers (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

Popular smartphone messaging service WhatsApp has been made available on web browsers for the first time.

Jan Koum, the firm’s CEO, made the announcement on his Facebook page.

"Our web client is simply an extension of your phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device - this means all of your messages still live on your phone," he wrote.

Smartphone users who wish to connect to the client using their web browser must go to https://web.whatsapp.com.

The 10 best smartphones

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1/10The 10 best smartphones

The 10 best smartphones

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

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ZTE Blade L2

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Sony Xperia Z3

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Nokia 930

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Amazon Fire

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Moto G

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HTC One M8

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LG G3

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Samsung Galaxy Alpha

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Nexus 5

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A QR code will appear, which must be scanned inside of WhatsApp to activate the service.

However, the client is not entirely convenient, as a user's phone must stay connected to the internet for the programme to work on a browser.

And much to the chagrin of iOS users, the client is currently only available on Android devices.

The announcement comes after images of the web client were leaked on Google+, but were taken down shortly after.

WhatsApp now has 700 million users sending 30 billion messages per day, and is bigger than most of its competitors, including Facebook Messenger and WeChat.

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