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How to Use WhatsApp on a Raspberry Pi 3

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How to Use WhatsApp on a Raspberry Pi 3

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app used by millions of people worldwide. While it is primarily designed for smartphones, it is possible to use WhatsApp on a Raspberry Pi 3. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using WhatsApp on your Raspberry Pi 3.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

  • Raspberry Pi 3 (with Raspbian OS installed)
  • USB microphone (optional)
  • USB speaker (optional)
  • MicroSD card (8GB or higher)

Steps

Step 1: Update Raspbian

To ensure everything is up to date, open a terminal and execute the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Chromium

WhatsApp Web requires a modern web browser. We will be using Chromium in this tutorial. Install it by running:

sudo apt install chromium-browser

Step 3: Launch WhatsApp Web

  1. Open Chromium by clicking on the Raspberry Pi menu, navigating to the "Internet" category, and selecting "Chromium Web Browser."
  2. Visit https://web.whatsapp.com to access the WhatsApp Web interface.
  3. You will see a QR code on the WhatsApp Web page.

Step 4: Connect WhatsApp to Raspberry Pi

  1. Open the WhatsApp app on your smartphone.
  2. Tap on the "Menu" icon (three dots) in the top-right corner and select "WhatsApp Web."
  3. Scan the QR code shown on the Raspberry Pi display using your smartphone's camera.

Step 5: Use WhatsApp on Raspberry Pi

You can now use WhatsApp on your Raspberry Pi. Here are a few things you can do:

5.1. Send and receive messages

You can send text messages, images, videos, and documents through WhatsApp on your Raspberry Pi, just like you would on your smartphone.

5.2. Manage contacts

You can add, edit, and delete contacts using WhatsApp on your Raspberry Pi.

5.3. Configure audio settings (optional)

If you want to use WhatsApp's voice messaging or voice calling features on your Raspberry Pi, follow these steps:

  1. Connect a USB microphone and speaker to your Raspberry Pi.
  2. Open Chromium and WhatsApp Web.
  3. Click on the voice message or voice call icon in a chat or group.
  4. Grant permissions to use the microphone if prompted.

Step 6: Automation (optional)

If you want to keep WhatsApp running on your Raspberry Pi even after closing the browser, you can use the "Autostart" feature. Here's how:

  1. Open a terminal and execute the following command:
nano ~/.config/lxsession/LXDE-pi/autostart
  1. Add the following line to the end of the file:
@chromium-browser --kiosk --disable-features=TranslateUI --disable-extensions --disable-component-update --app=https://web.whatsapp.com
  1. Save the file and exit the text editor.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should now be able to use WhatsApp on your Raspberry Pi 3. Whether you want to send messages, manage contacts, or use the voice features, Raspberry Pi provides a convenient way to access WhatsApp on a larger display. Enjoy using WhatsApp on your Raspberry Pi!