How to get whatsapp web qr code


WhatsApp QR Code: A Complete Guide for 2021

Find out how to create a custom QR Code using a WhatsApp QR Code generator. Add contacts in a jiffy, start a conversation with anyone instantly, and help customers talk to your business seamlessly with a single scan.

Apoorva Hegde

Last Updated:&nbsp August 23, 2022

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WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned behemoth, is widely known as just a messenger app to connect with friends and family globally. 

Starting a conversation with someone new was a tedious task. The messenger app relies on adding a new contact to your phone’s address book, which is an added step when you just want to message someone without the hassle.

WhatsApp has about 2 billion users worldwide. The opportunity for businesses and marketers of all sizes and industry verticals to instantly interact with their customers is immense. 

The latest WhatsApp QR Code feature, available for both iOS and Android users, lets you add contacts in a jiffy, start a conversation with anyone instantly, and help marketers and businesses talk to their customers seamlessly with a single scan.  

Table of contents

  1. WhatsApp QR Code: How does it work?
  2. How to scan a WhatsApp QR Code
  3. WhatsApp Web: Start a conversation on your computer with WhatsApp Web QR Code
  4. How can businesses leverage WhatsApp QR Codes?
  5. How can I view my WhatsApp QR Code?
  6. How can I share my WhatsApp QR Code?
  7. How can I reset my WhatsApp QR Code?
  8. What can I do with WhatsApp QR Codes?
  9. Why you should use a WhatsApp QR Code generator
  10. How to create a QR Code for WhatsApp using Beaconstac 
  11. Where can you use WhatsApp QR Codes? – 5 WhatsApp QR Code uses
  12. FAQs

WhatsApp QR Code: How does it work?

WhatsApp QR Codes can be used to save a contact, start a conversation, and even add someone to a group by scanning a QR Code. 

Anyone can add you to their contacts on WhatsApp by merely scanning your WhatsApp QR Code. This helps in saving a contact quickly as opposed to the previous method of adding their name and number manually.  

This also helps marketers and individuals in starting a conversation quickly without taking the long route. 

Want to know more about QR Codes? Read this.

How to scan a WhatsApp QR Code

#1 Scan WhatsApp QR Code in person 

  1. Open WhatsApp > Settings 
  2. Tap on the QR Code icon displayed next to your name 
  3. Tap Scan Code > OK
  4. Hold your smartphone over the QR Code to scan 
  5. Tap Add to Contacts 

#2 Scan WhatsApp QR Code using the WhatsApp camera 

  1. Open WhatsApp > open Camera 
  2. Hold your smartphone over the QR Code to scan 
  3. Tap Add to Contacts 

Note – Users with iPhone 6S and newer versions, tap and hold the WhatsApp icon on your home screen to view the quick action menu. Tap the Camera icon to open the WhatsApp camera to scan the WhatsApp QR Code.  

#3 Scan WhatsApp QR Code from Photos 

  1. Open WhatsApp > Settings 
  2. Tap on the QR Code icon displayed next to your name
  3. Tap Scan Code and then click on the Photos icon on the bottom of your screen 
  4. Select the WhatsApp QR Code from your photos 
  5. Tap on Add to Contacts 

#4 Scan WhatsApp QR Code from the new contact screen 

  1. Open WhatsApp > tap New Chat 
  2. Tap New Contact > Add via QR Code 
  3. Hold your smartphone over the QR Code to scan or tap the Photos icon on the bottom of your screen and select the WhatsApp QR Code from your Photos 
  4. Tap Add to Contacts 

#5 Scan WhatsApp QR Code within a chat 

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to a group chat or an individual chat
  2. Tap the Camera icon 
  3. Now, tap the Photos icon on the bottom of your screen
  4. Select the WhatsApp QR Code from your photos 
  5. Tap Add to Contacts 

WhatsApp Web: Start a conversation on your computer with WhatsApp Web QR Code

To use WhatsApp web on your computer, 

  1. Go to web. whatsapp.com
  2. Open WhatsApp on your phone 
  3. Tap the three-dot menu and tap Linked devices
  4. Click on Link a device
  5. Point your camera to the screen to scan the WhatsApp QR Code

How can businesses leverage WhatsApp QR Codes?

Source

When it comes to businesses connecting with their customers digitally, there are not enough platforms that allow them to start conversations quickly to resolve issues or even share their catalogs. 

With over 2 billion WhatsApp users, businesses and marketers expanding to WhatsApp are only beneficial. 

The latest WhatsApp Business App is a free app built, especially for businesses and marketers to provide customer support, deliver essential notifications, and start conversations with customers quickly. 

The WhatsApp Business App already has over 50 million monthly active users, according to Facebook. 

The WhatsApp Business App can help you to  – 

  1. Create a catalog to display your products and services, connect with your customers by using tools to automate, sort, and quickly respond to messages
  2. Create a business profile with your address, business description, email address, and website
  3. Make use of quick replies to save and reuse messages to answer common questions
  4. Organize your contacts or chats with labels to find them easily
  5. Send automated messages when you are unable to answer your customers, send greetings, and even introduce yourself

Source

To download WhatsApp Business App for your business, 

Android | iOS

How can I view my WhatsApp QR Code?

To view your WhatsApp QR Code,

Android

  1. Open WhatsApp > tap More Options > Settings 
  2. Tap the QR Code displayed next to your name 

iOS 

  1. Open WhatsApp > Settings 
  2. Tap the QR Code displayed next to your name

How can I share my WhatsApp QR Code?

To share your WhatsApp QR Code,

Android

  1. Open WhatsApp > tap More Options > Settings 
  2. Tap the QR Code displayed next to your name
  3. Tap Share 
  4. Select a contact or an app to share 
  5. If you’re sharing the QR Code to a WhatsApp contact/group, you can also choose to – 
  1. Crop or rotate the QR Code image 
  2. Add a message in the text field 
  3. Tap Back to revert changes you made to your QR Code  

6. Tap Send 

iOS 

  1. Open WhatsApp > Settings 
  2. Tap the QR Code displayed next to your name
  3. Tap the Share button
  4. Select the app to share 
  5. Tap Send 

How can I reset my WhatsApp QR Code?

To reset your WhatsApp QR Code, 

  1. Open WhatsApp > Settings 
  2. Tap the QR Code displayed next to your name
  3. Tap Reset QR Code > Reset > OK

What can I do with WhatsApp QR Codes?

1. Start conversations instantly 

Be it for business or individual purposes, start a conversation instantly by simply scanning the WhatsApp QR Code that can be embedded into your storefronts, product packaging, or even receipts. 

You can even set a pre-defined message sent as soon as one scans the QR Code to initiate a conversation.  

To create a QR Code to send a pre-defined message for your personal number, 

1. Create your own link

Use https://wa.me/<number> where the <number> is a full phone number with the country code. Omit any zeroes, brackets, or dashes when adding the phone number with the country code. 

For instance, 

Use – https://wa.me/1xxxxxxxxxx

Don’t use – https://wa.me/+001-(xxx) xxxxxxx

Scan the generated QR Code to open WhatsApp chat to start a conversation. 

2. Create your own link with a pre-defined message 

When you set a pre-defined message, it will automatically appear in the text field of a chat. 

Use https://wa.me/whatsappphonenumber/?text=urlencodedtext where whatsappphonenumber is a full phone number in international format and urlencodedtext is the URL-encoded pre-defined message. 

Example – 

https://wa. me/19876554566/?text=I’m%20interested%20in%20your%20car%20for%20sale

To create a link with a pre-filled message, use https://wa.me/?text=urlencodedtext 

Example – 

https://wa.me/?text=Welcome%20to%20Embassy%20the%20Estates

After clicking on the link, you will be shown a list of contacts you can send the messages to. 

You might like: How to create a digital business card

2. Add and invite people to groups with a quick scan 

Add as many people as you want to your group with the WhatsApp QR Code. 

How to create a QR Code for a WhatsApp group?

To add people to a group, 

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to any group 
  2. Tap on the group name 
  3. Click on Invite via link 
  4. Tap on the QR Code icon to share and invite people to join

Note: You need to be a group admin to invite people to join.

3. Enhance customer service for businesses 

The WhatsApp Business App helps businesses and marketers always be present for their customers by initiating conversations for complaints, doubts, and even placing an order via the chat facility by scanning a QR Code. 

With the app’s messaging tools, businesses can instantly send back information to get the conversation going. 

4. Authenticate users on WhatsApp web 

With the help of a WhatsApp QR Code, authenticate your WhatsApp account to open conversations on WhatsApp web by scanning your WhatsApp QR Code from your smartphone on the browser.

To open the WhatsApp Web,

  1. Open WhatsApp Web
  2. Open WhatsApp on your smartphone
  3. Tap Settings > select Linked devices
  4. Click on Link a device
  5. Point your smartphone camera to scan the QR Code to open conversations

Why you should use a WhatsApp QR Code generator 

Drawbacks of using WhatsApp’s default QR Codes

  1. No tracking capabilities 
  2. Limited customization options
  3. You cannot select the error correction levels 
  4. You cannot select a suitable format to download your QR Code 

With the help of a WhatsApp QR Code generator, you can carry out all of the above actions seamlessly.  

Here are 4 essential features of Beaconstac’s custom QR Code generator that can help you optimize and upgrade your existing WhatsApp strategy:

#1 Dynamic QR Codes for editing existing campaigns 

Let’s say your contact number has changed, or your QR Code links to the wrong group on WhatsApp.

If you’re using a dynamic QR Code generator, rather than resharing the QR Code, you can change its destination to point to the correct URL.

Since dynamic QR Codes are editable QR Codes, modifying the campaign is a breeze, and the new changes are reflected instantly. 

#2 Track and analyze WhatsApp QR Code scans effortlessly

You can track the success of your campaign closely using a WhatsApp QR Code generator with analytics. Learn where the QR Code was scanned, the number of times it was scanned, the OS used, and other important information that can help you fine-tune your campaign. 

Learn how to track QR Code scans 

To receive more in-depth insights on your audience, you can integrate with Google Analytics to access user demographics and behavior.  

Check out: How to track QR Codes with Google Analytics 

#3 Include WhatsApp in your all-in-one social media QR Code 

While creating a social media QR Code on Beaconstac’s WhatsApp QR Code generator, you can also include the link to your business’s contact number on WhatsApp along with other social media usernames. 

This lets you promote all your brand’s social media profiles in one go and elevates your existing social media strategy. 

#4 Customize your WhatsApp QR Code extensively 

Let your WhatsApp QR Code represent your brand consistently. 

You can change the QR Code’s color scheme, modify the eyes, background, add your brand’s logo, select a QR Code template and data pattern, and add a frame text to your QR Code. 

Our WhatsApp QR Code generator also lets you create circular QR Codes to fit your brand’s design aesthetic.

#5 Select a suitable error correction level and download format

Before printing your WhatsApp QR Code, you can select the error correction level you require along with the relevant format needed.  

Error correction is crucial since it ensures that your QR Code is still scannable after experiencing natural wear and tear. 

Selecting the right format is vital to make sure that your QR Code does not get pixelated upon increasing its size. 

Beaconstac offers scalable vector formats such as SVG, EPS, and PDF to help maintain your QR Code’s resolution for scanning. 

Also check out: QR Code printing guidelines

Added pro tip – You can also select the QR Code size you need prior to printing. Not sure of what your QR Code size should be? Explore our detailed QR Code sizing guide to learn more. 

How to create a QR Code for WhatsApp using Beaconstac 

Here’s how you can create a QR Code using a WhatsApp QR Code generator:

Step 1: Get the link to your WhatsApp contact number, group invite, or predefined message. 

Step 2: Log in to the Beaconstac dashboard.

Step 3: Click ‘+Create QR Code’ on the top right corner of the dashboard.

Step 4: Select ‘Website’ from the list of campaign types.

Step 5: Paste the WhatsApp URL in the box provided. Click Next.

Step 6: Customize your QR Code using all the options available.

Step 7: Test and download the QR Code in the format(s) required. 

Where can you use WhatsApp QR Codes? – 5 WhatsApp QR Code uses

1. Retail 

Make use of WhatsApp QR Codes in retail to place an order, book a class or even arrange a pick-up by directly initiating a WhatsApp conversation. 

Place WhatsApp QR Codes on receipts, your product packaging, or storefronts, so customers scan them. Offer coupons or loyalty cards for scanning the WhatsApp QR Code, offer a free product, or even use it to receive complaints and feedback. 

Want to learn more about QR Code-based loyalty programs?

2. Restaurants 

Utilize a WhatsApp QR Code on your website or on your QR Code menus to place an order online.  

Help customers track or cancel their orders, and even talk to a customer care executive for help. 

3. Small businesses

With most messaging services priced at exorbitant prices, the WhatsApp Business App helps you move your business online without emptying your pockets. 

Make use of WhatsApp QR Codes to help customers place their orders, track them, ask questions, and even receive feedback. 

You might also like: How to use QR Codes for small businesses

4. eCommerce

Raising complaints or getting in touch with a customer care executive is tedious, especially with eCommerce companies. 

With WhatsApp QR Codes, make the process easier for your customers to get in touch with you. Encourage them to scan the QR Code to raise a ticket, ask questions about their orders, track their orders, and even leave feedback. 

Related: How eCommerce companies use QR Codes to bring users back

5. Hospitality sector 

Make use of WhatsApp QR Codes so customers can book a room online or make reservations in your hotel right away.  

Learn how contactless solutions can be leveraged for a safe reopening of hotels post-COVID 

Frequently asked questions

1. Can we create a QR Code for WhatsApp?

Absolutely. With the help of Beaconstac’s QR Code generator, you can create a QR Code for WhatsApp. 

2. How do I create a QR Code for my WhatsApp?

To create a QR Code for WhatsApp:

  1. Go to Beaconstac’s WhatsApp QR Code generator 
  2. Select ‘Website’ as the QR Code campaign type.
  3. Paste the URL of your WhatsApp contact number, predefined message, or group invite in the space provided.
  4. Customize your WhatsApp QR Code.
  5. Test and download it. 

3. What is the use of a WhatsApp QR Code? 

You can share the QR Code on any printed material, app, or with anyone on WhatsApp by clicking on the share icon once you open the WhatsApp QR Code. 

4. Where is my WhatsApp QR Code?

To open your WhatsApp QR Code, open WhatsApp > Settings > tap the QR Code displayed next to your name.

5. Why can’t my WhatsApp QR Code be scanned?

Check if your smartphone camera supports QR Code scanning. If it does, then align the QR Code in a straight angle and scan the QR Code from a distance in a well-lit area. 

If your smartphone camera does not support QR Code scanning, download any third-party QR Code scanning app to scan your WhatsApp QR Code.

Here is a list of the best QR Code scanning apps available on iOS and Android

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See WhatsApp Chats on your PC or Mac

We are all on WhatsApp or at least most of us. As per the statistics, WhatsApp has about at least 2 billion of users as of Jan 2020.

It is a popular mobile messaging app and a great means to connect with your friends and family. All you need is—your smartphone and access to the internet.

But there are times when you might want to access WhatsApp on your computer. This might be simply because you find using desktop better than using your smartphone.

Or because you are at your workplace or in your classroom and cannot use your phone.

Here, WhatsApp Web makes it possible for you to do this easily. In this article, we will discuss how WhatsApp Web works and how you can get started with it.

A. WhatsApp Web QR Code

B. QR Code Authentication for WhatsApp Web

C. How to Access WhatsApp Chats on PC

D. How to log-out

E. How to Secure Yourself from Whatsapp Hacks

1. WhatScan App Messenger for Android & iPhones

2. Whatsapp Web on PC

F. Other advanced features of WhatsApp

1. WhatsApp group QR Codes

2. QR Code to start chatting easily

A. WhatsApp Web QR Code

WhatsApp Web helps you to access your WhatsApp chats over a desktop. But how to get started with ir?

To do it, you need to authenticate yourself first. And by authentication, we don’t mean what you do while logging in to Facebook or Twitter.

The process here is slightly different but very easy. You don’t need an email ID, a username, or a password.

Wondering—how does it work then? With a QR Code, also called—the WhatsApp Web QR Code.

Firstly, a QR Code is a 2D barcode that can store information just like a barcode. You can think of it as an advanced form of a barcode.

And unlike a barcode, you don’t need a handheld scanner to scan a QR Code. A Smartphone is all you need.

QR Codes are very popular in mobile payments and are used by WeChat, Paytm, BHIM App, Mobikwik, and many other mobile payment platforms.

A QR Code can be scanned and decoded using an application on your smartphone.

Just like payment apps, WhatsApp uses QR Codes to authenticate its subscribers and provide access to WhatsApp chats on your computer.

You only need to scan the WhatsApp Web QR Code on your computer using WhatsApp on your smartphone.

Here is a quick video on how this works:

In mid-2018, Google announced a similar feature for Android Messages. To see how to chat via Android Messages on PC, see: Android Messages on PC: See how to chat via your computer screen

B. QR Code Authentication for WhatsApp Web

Remember when you first created a WhatsApp account? What credentials did you add? You only registered your phone number and verified it with an OTP, right?

Hence, you do not have a login or password to start WhatsApp Web.

So how do you access Whatsapp on PC? How does WhatsApp verify that it’s you and shows you the right chats?

It does this by using the logged in WhatsApp app on your smartphone. That simply means your phone is your password. You can use it to login to Whatsapp Web on your PC.

C. How to Access WhatsApp Chats on PC

Here are some steps that you need to follow to do it:

1. From your desktop browser, go to web.whatsapp.com. Or you can also download the Whatsapp Web desktop application for your PC/Mac

2. Now, on the main screen, you will see a black-and-white QR Code. Note that this QR Code is dynamic in nature. Hence, it keeps changing every few sencods

3. Open WhatsApp on your smartphone. Note that WhatsApp is now only available in iPhones, Android-based smartphones, and Windows phones.

4. If you are an Android phone user, you need to click the three vertical dots on the top right corner. Then you will see the option WhatsApp Web

On the other hand, if you are an iPhone user, go to the Settings tab. Then, click on WhatsApp Web/Desktop option

5. From this screen click on the ‘+’ sign on the top right corner to open the scanner. In iPhones, the scanner will launch automatically

6. Using this Scanner, scan the WhatsApp Web QR Code on your browser screen or desktop app. Once you do it, your phone will vibrate. And your authentication will be completed

That’s it. You will see the chats loaded on your desktop screen. And you can then start chatting via your system.

Note that you will need to keep your phone on and connected to the internet for WhatsApp Web to work. The phone acts as a server and if you switch it off or disconnect mobile internet, you will not be able to view your chats on Whatsapp Web.

D. How to log-out

You have seen how to login to WhatsApp Web. And if you want to revoke the desktop access, you again need to follow some simple steps:

1. Again, launch WhatsApp on your phone

2. Go to the WhatsApp Web section on the phone

3. Next, you will see the option—Logout of all computers. Click on it

That’s it. You will be logged out on your desktop. And doing this will also ensure that you do not get logged into any PC.

E. How to Secure Yourself from Whatsapp Hacks

While using a QR Code has made it easy to access Whatsapp on PC, it is also made users vulnerable to hacks. Anyone who has access to your phone even for a few seconds, can view your chats on their PC or even mobile device.

1. WhatScan App Messenger for Android & iPhones

If your partner or parent or friends have the Whatscan App Messenger, on their smartphone, they are probably spying on your WhatsApp chats. Here is the app for iPhone.

The Google Play Store seems to have removed the WhatScan app. However, Android users can still download the APK file from multiple APK sites.

The Whatscan app simply mirrors Whatsapp Web in a mobile app. Here is how it works:

a. Say your partner downloads and opens the app, he’ll see a QR Code (Whatsapp Web QR Code)

b. He’ll ask for your phone for a minute or two to ‘check’ something

c. He’ll then quickly open your WhatsApp and go to the WhatsApp Web section, which launches a QR Code Scanner

d. He’ll scan the QR Code on the Whatscan app on his device

e. That’s it. All your chats will now be visible on this app (just like Whatsapp Web) as long as your phone is connected to the internet

To ensure that no-one is spying on your chats, regularly visit the Whatsapp Web section on your phone and hit ‘Log out of all computers’.

This will ensure that your WhatsApp is logged out and everyone will need to scan the QR Code again using your phone.

2. Whatsapp Web on PC

Just like the WhatScan app, anyone can also scan the Whatsapp Web QR Code on a computer screen if they have access to your phone for a few minutes. They don’t even need to download an app.

See the video below to secure yourself from Whatsapp hacks by friends and family members.

You are all set to use WhatsApp Web.

F. Other advanced features of WhatsApp

Did you know that WhatsApp Web is not the only feature of WhatsApp that uses QR Codes? There are two additional features that do it.

In addition to WhatsApp Web QR Codes, WhatsApp also has 2 other types of QR Codes:

1. WhatsApp group QR Codes

To add participants to a WhatsApp group, you have to either save their contact on your smartphone and then add them to the group. Or you need to send out an invitation link. Participants need to use the link to be able to join the group.

A WhatsApp Group QR Code helps you add people to the group easily. people can simply scan it. And they will be added to the group.

In fact, you can even revoke access to this QR Code as and when you want. It is helpful if you want to stop unwanted people from joining the group.

2. QR Code to start chatting easily

Many a time, you need to text someone on WhatsApp but don’t want to save their contact on your phone.

WhatsApp actually allows you to do it now without having to save the end-users contact number.

For such cases, you can create a QR Code which, when scanned, pops open your chatbox on the end-user’s smartphone.

Here’s what you need to do to create this QR Code:

1.Using the link given here, create link for your contact number: [cta-subscribe]

In case you still have any questions or conerns, let us know in the comments.

Whatsapp QR Code Generator