> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.whatsy.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to link your WhatsApp account to Whatsy on macOS

> Scan Whatsy's QR code from your iPhone or Android to link your WhatsApp account in seconds — no new phone number or SIM card required.

Whatsy links to your existing WhatsApp account using WhatsApp's official Linked Devices feature — the same mechanism used by WhatsApp Web. No second phone number, no SIM card, and no third-party credentials are required. Once linked, your phone remains the primary device and Whatsy acts as a connected client that can send and receive messages on your behalf.

## Linking your account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Whatsy and reach the connect screen">
    Launch the Whatsy app on your Mac. On the welcome screen, click **Get Started**. Whatsy will advance to the connect screen and automatically begin generating a QR code inside a yellow panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the QR code to appear">
    Leave the Whatsy window visible and in focus. The QR code appears in the yellow panel within a few seconds as the agent initializes. Do not minimize the window while completing the next steps on your phone.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Linked Devices on your phone">
    On **iPhone**: open WhatsApp → tap **Settings** (bottom-right) → **Linked Devices** → **Link a Device**.

    On **Android**: open WhatsApp → tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right) → **Linked Devices** → **Link a Device**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the QR code">
    Point your phone camera at the QR code displayed in the Whatsy app. WhatsApp will read the code automatically — you do not need to tap a shutter button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the connection">
    WhatsApp will confirm the link on your phone with a success message. In the Whatsy app, the QR panel will be replaced by a green checkmark and the status will change to **Connected**. Whatsy is now linked to your account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  QR codes expire after approximately 60 seconds. If yours expires before you scan it, Whatsy will automatically generate a fresh one — just wait a moment for it to appear and then scan the new code.
</Warning>

## Auto-reply is off by default

After linking, Whatsy does **not** immediately start replying to messages. Auto-replies are disabled by default so you have time to configure your persona and review your settings before anything is sent on your behalf.

To turn on auto-replies, go to the **Dashboard** and toggle the **Running / Paused** switch. You will see the agent status headline update immediately when it goes live.

<Warning>
  Enabling auto-reply means Whatsy will respond to real WhatsApp messages in your name. Make sure you have reviewed and activated a persona before turning it on.
</Warning>

## Disconnecting your account

You can disconnect at any time by navigating to **Settings → WhatsApp Connection** and clicking **Disconnect Device**. This ends the active WhatsApp session and stops all agent activity immediately. Your personas, behavior rules, and activity history are preserved — nothing is deleted.

<Note>
  After disconnecting, Whatsy will show a **Reconnect Device** button in Settings. Clicking it restarts the agent and generates a fresh QR code to scan. Relinking has no effect on your WhatsApp account on your phone — your chat history, contacts, and groups are completely unaffected.
</Note>