WhatsApp Web is a handy way to access WhatsApp on your computer’s web browser. However, it comes with the risk of other people scanning your chats if your computer is shared or accessible publicly. WhatsApp provides an option to logout of all devices remotely through WhatsApp Web. This enables you to force logout anyone who may have scanned your chats without permission. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do a WhatsApp Web scan and log out of any unknown devices.
What is WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp Web is an official service provided by WhatsApp to access your WhatsApp account through a web browser on your computer. It mirrors the WhatsApp application on your phone and syncs in real-time. This enables you to seamlessly continue WhatsApp chats on a bigger screen without picking up your phone. WhatsApp Web needs to be paired with your phone’s WhatsApp account by scanning a QR code. It cannot independently work without the phone app.
Advantages of WhatsApp Web
- Larger screen makes reading and typing messages easier
- Easy media sharing from computer’s storage
- Enables seamless switching between phone and computer
- Web version offers some additional features
Disadvantages of WhatsApp Web
- Risk of other people secretly accessing your chats
- Not as convenient as mobile app
- Needs an active internet connection on computer and phone
- SMS/calls still need phone access
How does WhatsApp Web work?
WhatsApp Web works by syncing with your phone’s WhatsApp account in real-time. The Web version does not store any messages or data of its own. Here is how WhatsApp links the Web and phone app:
- Open WhatsApp Web on your computer browser and scan the QR code using your phone’s WhatsApp
- This creates an end-to-end encrypted link between phone and computer
- Messages are synced and relayed through your phone in real-time
- The encryption keys are stored on your phone, not the computer
- Closing the Web app will terminate the linking till you re-scan the QR code
So in essence, WhatsApp Web acts as a real-time mirror to access your phone’s WhatsApp account on a bigger screen. The Web version itself does not store any independent data.
Risks of using WhatsApp Web
Despite its convenience, WhatsApp Web also poses some risks:
- Someone else can secretly scan your phone and link devices without your permission
- They can then read your personal chats and media on Web without your knowledge
- It gives access to your chat history, not just new messages
- They may be able to message others from your account without you knowing
- It compromises your privacy if the computer is a public or shared device
For this reason, it is important to periodically check unknown devices linked to your WhatsApp account and force log them out if required.
How to check for unknown devices on WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp allows you to see all devices linked to your account through WhatsApp Web and when they were last active. Follow these steps:
- Open your WhatsApp account on your phone
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices
- Here you will see all devices along with their last activity time
- Check for any unknown or unusual devices and log out times
- Make a note of any device names you don’t recognize
This enables you to identify devices which may have been linked without your permission. You can then proceed to log them out remotely.
How to find unknown devices on WhatsApp Web on iPhone
On an iPhone, the steps are slightly different:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Tap on ‘Linked Devices’
- View the list of linked devices and activity status
- Check for any unknown devices and note them down
How to find unknown devices on WhatsApp Web on Android
On an Android phone, here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to More options > Linked devices
- Tap on ‘Linked devices’ option
- View all linked devices and last activity status
- Identify and note down any unknown devices
How to logout unknown devices from WhatsApp Web
Once you have identified any unknown devices linked to your WhatsApp account, you can remotely log them out with these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to Linked Devices
- Tap on the unknown device you want to log out
- Select ‘Logout’ to forcefully disconnect the device
- Confirm again when prompted to log out
This will instantly log the device out of your WhatsApp account and remove access. Repeat the steps to log out all suspicious devices.
How to logout a device on WhatsApp Web on iPhone
To log out a device on iPhone:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices
- Tap on the device name you want to log out
- Confirm ‘Logout’ when prompted
How to logout a device on WhatsApp Web on Android
On Android phones, here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Linked devices
- Tap on the device name to log out
- Select ‘Logout’ to disconnect the device
Precautions to prevent unauthorized access
Apart from periodic WhatsApp Web scans, you can take these precautions:
- Don’t let others access your phone carelessly
- Set a lock/password on your phone
- Log out WhatsApp Web when not in use
- Use WhatsApp Web only on personal devices
- Check Linked Devices often for unknown access
- Enable Two-Step Verification on WhatsApp for added security
What happens when you logout a device?
When you log out an unauthorized device from your WhatsApp account:
- The device immediately gets disconnected and logged out
- All cached data on the device is removed
- The device user cannot access your WhatsApp anymore
- They will have to scan a QR code from your phone to link again
- You may also get a notification about the logout on your phone
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp notify when someone logs in Web?
No, WhatsApp does not send any notification when someone logs into WhatsApp Web using your account. It only shows the device in your Linked Devices list.
Can I see WhatsApp Web history?
There is no dedicated history for WhatsApp Web. Your chat history is synced from your phone, so you can only see the chat history on your phone.
Is WhatsApp Web safe to use?
WhatsApp Web is safe to use on your personal devices you control. However, use caution on public or shared computers as others may be able to scan your QR code and read your chats without consent.
Can you use WhatsApp Web without your phone?
No, WhatsApp Web requires your phone to be connected to the internet to sync messages. Without your phone active, WhatsApp Web will not work independently.
How many devices can use WhatsApp Web together?
You can link up to 4 devices to use WhatsApp Web at the same time. This limit includes a combination of phones, tablets and computers.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Web is incredibly useful but also carries a risk of unauthorized access if you do not take precautions. Make it a habit to periodically check Linked Devices and logout any unknown devices to protect your privacy. Enable Two-Step Verification for added security and be vigilant about logging out after using WhatsApp Web.