For: everyone
Link your WhatsApp account once, and your WhatsApp chats appear in Element as rooms. You can then read and answer them on the computer or on the phone.
Before you start
- You need WhatsApp installed and working on your phone.
- Open Element on a computer if you can. The bot shows a QR code that your phone has to scan, which is easiest on a second screen.
- Keep the QR code window open: the code is only valid for a short time.
Link WhatsApp
- In Element, start a direct chat with
@whatsappbot:<your server>. Your server address is on your dashboard under Your Matrix login → Server. - Send the message
login. - Follow the bot's reply. It shows a QR code in the chat.
On an iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and tap Settings.
- Tap Linked devices.
- Tap Link a device.
- Point the phone at the QR code in Element.
On an Android phone
- Open WhatsApp and tap the ⋮ menu at the top right.
- Tap Linked devices.
- Tap Link a device.
- Point the phone at the QR code in Element.
The bot confirms when the link works. Your chats then start to appear in Element as rooms. This can take a few minutes for many chats.
Good to know
- Use your phone from time to time. WhatsApp disconnects linked devices if the phone isn't used for about 14 days. Open WhatsApp on the phone now and then and the link stays active.
- Keep WhatsApp on your phone. Element works as a linked device, like WhatsApp Web, so the phone app stays your main WhatsApp.
- Names instead of numbers: if your chats show phone numbers, connect your Google Contacts.
- Calls: WhatsApp calls can't be answered in Element. Set up a call redirect so callers get an automatic reply with another way to reach you.
- Unlink: send
logouttowhatsappbot. You can also remove the device in WhatsApp under Linked devices.
If something goes wrong
- The QR code expired: send
loginagain to get a new one. - The bot doesn't answer: check that you typed the full bot address, and look at the bridge status in the portal under Settings → Bridges.
- Messages stopped arriving: see A bridge stopped working.