WhatsApp web-inspired feature comes to Google Allo; Here’s how it works

Google has added a new feature, Allo Web, to its Allo messaging application that will allow users to chat with their friends on a web browser. The functionality of the new feature is quite similar to WhatsApp's web client.

To start using Allo on your desktop or laptop, you need to visit Allo for Web. Open the Allo app on your smartphone. Tap Menu > Allo for Web > Scan QR code (which shows on the browser). After matching the scan code, Allo for Web will open on the browser.

To sign out of the app from the browser, click on your profile icon and then on sign out. You can also log out by opening the menu in the mobile app > Allo for web > sign out of all computers (or the specific place you want to log out).

Just like WhatsApp Web, Allo's web version doesn't have all the features of a mobile app but only the core ones.

Do note that Google's Allo Web works only with its Chrome browser. While Android users can start using Allo Web right away, an iPhone version is coming soon.

Touted as a 'smart messaging app', Allo is quite similar to other instant messaging applications but has a few unique features. For example, the app comes integrated with Google Assistant.

Users can use the digital assistant to perform tasks such as finding the nearest restaurants, set a reminder and lots more. Those conscious about privacy can use an 'incognito mode' to send messages with end-to-end encryption.

It also has Google's Smart Reply feature and the search engine giant claims it learns your usage patterns and suggests contextual responses to the messages and images.

Google Allo is available for both Android and iOS.

Bonus tip: If you are a WhatsApp user and want to use the web version, here's what you need to do. Tap on Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop> Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer and scan the QR code.