There are tons of apps available these days in both mobile and web versions. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly rare to find a phone app that you can’t also use on a desktop or laptop. There are four in particular that I open in a browser tab on my computer more often than I open them on my smartphone.

While there's still a lot to be said for the mobile versions of these apps (not least the ability to take photos and videos on the fly), having a larger screen and a real keyboard makes a big difference.

If you’ve never used these apps on Windows or macOS, give them a try. You’ll be surprised at how many of their features and capabilities have been carried over. These web versions are also easier to switch to if you’re working on something else, so you’ll spend less time unlocking your phone and switching between devices.

Go to WhatsApp on the web in your browser and you’ll see a QR code. You can scan this from your phone by tapping the three dots in the Chats tab (Android) or Settings tab (iOS), then Linked devices and Link a device. Your phone’s camera will open and you can scan the QR code that appears in your browser.