Techstravaganza

Using Whatsapp on Windows, Thursday, Oct 8, 2026

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Macara

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Good evening Techstravaganza friends,

Tonight’s fantastic tutorial focused on using Whatsapp with Windows; give it a listen at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DDfAq7a4Hp95m3X3a64e8

Show Notes

Contact Data Loss Due to App Development Issue

Siena briefly discussed a problem where an app she was developing deleted contacts from her iCloud account by inserting mock data.

  • Details
    • Siena: Explained that the app pushed mock data and deleted real contacts from iCloud.
    • Ali: Suggested keeping a backup copy of contacts in Google Contacts.
    • Siena: Noted that two-way contact sync could replicate the same deletion issue in Google Contacts.
    • Ali: Recommended exporting all contacts as a CSV file for safe backup and easy re-import.
  • Conclusion
    • Siena planned to export all contacts as a CSV file from the Mac as a backup measure.

WhatsApp on Windows — Linking the Device

Siena demonstrated how to link WhatsApp on a Windows PC to a phone account, which is the first required step before using the app.

  • Details
    • Siena: Showed two linking options — scanning a QR code with the phone camera, or using the “Link with phone number instead” option.
    • Siena: Explained that using the phone number option removes the phone as the primary driver of WhatsApp.
    • Siena: Demonstrated the QR code scanning process using the iPhone’s WhatsApp app under Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device.
    • Siena: Noted that the screen curtain (screen reader privacy feature) must be turned off for the camera to read the QR code.
    • Siena: Confirmed that a vibration on the phone indicates successful linking.
    • Palmer: Summarized the process — phone must be unlocked, WhatsApp open, and the QR code scanned from the profile settings.
  • Conclusion
    • WhatsApp on Windows can be linked via QR code scan or phone number.
    • The screen curtain must be disabled during QR code scanning.
    • A phone vibration confirms successful device linking.

WhatsApp on Windows — Sending and Reading Text Messages

Siena demonstrated how to navigate chats, compose messages, and read sent messages using NVDA.

  • Details
    • Siena: Showed how to navigate the chat list using the up and down arrow keys.
    • Siena: Demonstrated typing and sending a message to Ali and to the Techstravaganza Workshops group.
    • Siena: Explained that pressing Shift-Tab after sending a message allows the user to read back what was sent, including the timestamp.
    • Siena: Demonstrated replying to a specific message using the right arrow key to access the context menu and selecting “Reply.”
    • Siena: Clarified that in NVDA’s focus mode, arrow keys move between messages; switching to browse mode (Insert+Space) allows letter-by-letter or word-by-word reading.
  • Conclusion
    • Messages are navigated with arrow keys in focus mode.
    • Browse mode (Insert+Space) enables detailed reading of individual messages.
    • Shift-Tab from the message input area reads back sent messages with timestamps.

WhatsApp on Windows — Sharing and Activating Links

Siena explored how WhatsApp handles hyperlinks embedded within messages on Windows.

  • Details
    • Siena: Pasted a URL (a tutorial link about using the Alex voice with NVDA and JAWS) into a chat message.
    • Siena: Initially suspected links might be treated as static text, but discovered that pressing the right arrow key while on a message containing a link lands the cursor directly on the link.
    • Siena: Confirmed that pressing Enter on the link opens it in the default browser (Chrome in her case).
    • Ali: Added that when a link is sent alongside text, WhatsApp may display it as a separate message with a page preview, and the link is activated through that preview.
    • Ali: Demonstrated sending a link to the Ali Moosa Show website, which Siena then opened successfully via the preview.
    • Palmer: Asked for clarification on navigation; Siena confirmed right arrow accesses the link and Enter opens it.
  • Conclusion
    • Links in WhatsApp messages on Windows are not treated as static text.
    • Right arrow key navigates to the link within a message; Enter opens it in the default browser.
    • Links sent with accompanying text may appear as a separate preview message.

WhatsApp on Windows — Sending and Playing Voice Messages

Siena demonstrated how to record and send a voice message, and how to play received voice messages.

  • Details
    • Siena: Located the voice message button by tabbing through the message input area.
    • Siena: Explained that after pressing the voice message button, the user can tab to the Send button and press Enter or Spacebar to stop recording and send simultaneously.
    • Siena: Also noted a Pause option and a “View Once” toggle available during recording.
    • Siena: Played back her own sent voice message using the right arrow to reach the Play button, then Spacebar to play.
    • Ali: Demonstrated recording a voice message on the iPhone — double-tap and hold the mic button, swipe up to lock the recording, then pause and send.
    • Ali: Noted that on the phone, a Transcribe option is available to read the text of a voice message instead of listening to it.
    • Siena: Acknowledged the transcription feature is not yet available on the Windows desktop app.
    • Siena: Highlighted that the transcription feature is especially useful for people who are hard of hearing or deaf.
  • Conclusion
    • Voice messages can be recorded and sent on Windows by tabbing to the Send button after activating the voice message button.
    • Received voice messages are played using the right arrow key to find the Play button, then Spacebar.
    • Transcription of voice messages is available on the phone but not on the Windows desktop app.

WhatsApp on Windows — Reacting to Messages

Siena briefly demonstrated how to add emoji reactions to messages.

  • Details
    • Siena: Used the right or left arrow key on a message to access the context menu, which includes a React button.
    • Siena: Navigated the reaction options (thumbs up, red heart, face with tears of joy, etc.) and selected a thumbs up reaction for Ali’s voice message.
    • Siena: Noted that after reacting, WhatsApp announces the reaction applied (e.g., “Reaction thumbs up”).
  • Conclusion
    • Reactions are accessed via the context menu using the left or right arrow key on a message.
    • The applied reaction is announced by the screen reader.

WhatsApp on Windows — Voice and Video Calling

Siena and Ali tested the voice calling feature in WhatsApp on Windows.

  • Details
    • Siena: Initially could not locate the call buttons when navigating from the main chat list; the call did not ring on the computer during the first attempt.
    • Siena: Discovered that the Voice Call and Video Call buttons are accessible by Shift-Tabbing from within an open conversation.
    • Ali: Called Siena; on the second attempt, the incoming call appeared on the Windows app with options to Accept or Decline.
    • Siena: Successfully accepted the call and confirmed two-way audio was working.
    • Siena: Initiated a return call to Ali and demonstrated that the dial tone reflects the country being called (e.g., single tone for Italy, double beep for England/Australia).
    • Siena: Found additional in-call options including Mute Microphone, Device Settings, Start Screen Sharing, Add Members, Open Chat, and End Call.
    • Siena: Ended the call by tabbing to the End Call button and pressing Spacebar.
  • Conclusion
    • Voice and video call buttons are accessible by Shift-Tabbing within an open conversation.
    • Incoming calls may not always ring immediately on the Windows app; a second attempt may be needed.
    • In-call controls include mute, device settings, screen sharing, add members, open chat, and end call.

Pop Quiz — Tutorial Review

Ali and Siena conducted a brief pop quiz to reinforce the tutorial content.

  • Details
    • Question 1 (Jackie): What is the first step to link WhatsApp on a computer? Jackie correctly answered: using a phone number or QR code.
    • Question 2 (Palmer): How do you access a link within a WhatsApp message? Palmer correctly answered: use the right arrow key, then press Enter to open it.
    • Question 3 (Jackie): How do you stop recording a voice message? Jackie initially said to right arrow to a stop button; Siena corrected this — tab to the Send button and press Enter or Spacebar.
    • Question 4 (Jackie): How do you access the voice or video call button from within a conversation? Jackie answered by tabbing; Siena clarified that Shift-Tabbing is the most direct method, then press Spacebar to initiate the call.
  • Conclusion
    • All three participants demonstrated a solid understanding of the core WhatsApp Windows features covered in the tutorial.

Upcoming Techstravaganza Session Announcement

At the close of the session, Siena announced the topic for the following week’s workshop.

  • Details
    • Siena: Announced that the next Techstravaganza session would cover browsing digital flyers to find deals, a tutorial that had been postponed previously.
    • Ali: Expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming topic.
  • Conclusion
    • The next Techstravaganza Evenings session will focus on browsing digital flyers.

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