WhatsApp without smartphone?

[namechange8765433]

Anyone know a workaround to access WhatsApp on my mac without a smartphone?

One website said to use BlueStacks but the App Store has never heard of it.

Posting for traffic. Thanks to any clever techie types who can help!

Following - my elderly grandmother wants it on her iPad!

I'm fairly certain it's not possible without actually owning a phone with a SIM and phone number.

If you have a phone, then you can just login to the web.whatsapp.com from a web browser on any computer - you will need to use the phone's whatsapp app to scan a QR code or there might be a SMS one-time-passcode option.

I use WhatsApp on my iPad but you need to link it to an account on a device.

not that I'm aware of. I use whatsapp web on my Mac, but with an associated phone number

www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/get-whatsapp-on-mac-3634119

Thanks all.

@thedevilinablackdress - that article says what I have found so far too which is that you need a smart phone to access it, which I don't have.

@bravotango - if I find a workaround, I'll let you know for your grandmother!

@LonelyFromCorona - I have a nokia so I have a phone, a sim and a phone number but not a smartphone.

Thank you! I imagine in pandemic times there are plenty of people who have got some technology (such as an iPad) for keeping in touch but might not necessarily have a smart phone.

It changed a couple of years ago. It was possible by email address alone but now it requires a unique mobile phone number

You can use landline. I don't know how though, maybe Google it (using the term landline, I'm not just being facetious )

I researched this a few months ago because I wanted to find a way for my elderly mum to access her neighbourhood whatsapp group. I finally concluded it wasn't possible and bought her a smart phone to replace her Nokia brick.

@Glittertwins and @ThePlantsitter - thanks but I have a mobile number, just not a smartphone.

Yeah, @vegeem, that seems my only option at the moment. Really hoping someone knows a workaround though, so I don't have to get one.

I've got it on my Kindle fire as I don't have a smartphone so it is possible. Its linked to my mobile number but not on my actual phone. I think I just googled WhatsApp on tablet and followed some instructions! Works perfectly

www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/google-android/whatsapp-tablet-3517280/

@Cantaloupeisland - that's for a tablet not a mac, but thank you for trying to help me!

@bravotango - Cantaloupe's link above may be the solution you need for your grandmother.

I think I have possibly found the answer if anyone reads this in the future. I said it in my initial post - Blue Stacks. I have now located the app as it's not on the app store, it's just online at www.bluestacks.com/.

However, after installing it I realised it needs access to lots of things within the mac and I wasn't happy to cede control to an unknown app (also I have seen the reviews on Trustpilot which I wish I'd read first! uk.trustpilot.com/review/bluestacks.com).

So I'm now busy trying to uninstall it from my mac before it does any damage.

So I think my answer to anyone reading this is: it isn't possible to have WhatsApp on a Mac without a smartphone.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help. And fingers crossed someone will come along and explain another workaround that isn't Blue Stacks, but until then my research says - computer says no. Hope that helps anyone else wondering if it's possible!

Would you be able to put your sim in someone's else's phone, set up on there and then log in on your Mac, then put your sim back in your phone? Or just buy a super cheap smartphone to set it up?

Hm - that's an idea I hadn't thought of or come across @HardAsSnails! I'm home alone at the mo but when my partner and kids get home I'll try it with one of their phones and report back!

Ah hang on, no I would need some sort of sim converter thing since the size of my sim is different to the size you need for a smartphone. Hm. Maybe I can get one online though. I'll take both sims out later on just to double check that first.

Thanks for the idea.

That won't work as your laptop needs to be in range of the phone app for it to work as they are linked. Indeed the laptop whatsapp tells me to stay connected that my phone needs recharging.

Oh what a pain.

I'd get a cheapy smartphone.

Ah thanks @SeasonFinale, bugger.

Yeah @HardAsSnails, I may have to (or remain off WhatsApp). I will still try what you said first though, just on the off chance it works. Had a look at my sim and it has all the sizes on there already as mine is the biggest and you just pop out the smaller sized sims from there.