Connecting WhatsApp
Scenario: You need to connect (or reconnect) your WhatsApp number to Spun so messages flow into your inbox.
Prerequisites
- A phone with WhatsApp installed and logged in
- Desktop browser open to web.spun.com (or your country domain)
You do not need to install anything. New connections go through a Spun connection in your country or, where there is none, a temporary connection in your country. If you would rather run the connection from your own computer, you can choose Self Proxy instead, now or later.
Connecting for the first time
- Follow the connect screen shown on first login, or click Connect WhatsApp in the banner at the top of the inbox.
- The screen says "We'll connect it from:" and shows a country, picked from where you are signing in. It should be the country where you normally use WhatsApp. If it is not (for example, because you are using a VPN), press Change and search for the right one.
- Press Continue to QR. The QR code appears once Spun has set up the connection in that country (for a Spun connection, usually within five minutes). A line above it shows Connecting from or Temporary connection from your country. On a temporary connection, a card under the QR offers Use my computer; you can scan now and switch later. The country can only be changed before you scan.
- Scan it with WhatsApp on your phone:
- iPhone: Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device
- Android: ⋮ menu → Linked Devices → Link a Device
- The screen says Connected. Your WhatsApp is syncing. New messages, chats and history are there right away; profile photos and contact names load gradually over the next day. Press Open inbox, or wait a few seconds and it continues by itself. See What loads when after connecting.
Spun connects as a linked device, just like WhatsApp Web. Your phone stays in control, and you can disconnect this linked device at any time from your phone. For how the connection works behind the scenes, see How your WhatsApp connects.
"We can't connect from this country just yet"
Spun does not offer a Spun connection or a temporary connection in every country. If yours is not covered, no QR code is shown. Press Use my computer to connect with Self Proxy instead, Choose another country if you picked the wrong one, or Contact us.
Prefer your own computer from the start?
Under the QR code, choose Set that up instead to connect through Self Proxy. On a phone or tablet that screen says "This step needs a Windows or Mac computer"; use Email me the link or Copy link and carry on at the computer.
TIP
The QR code expires after 60 seconds. If it expires, click Refresh QR to generate a new one.
What happens after connecting
- New messages, your chats and their history arrive right away (up to your plan's retention limit).
- Profile photos start after the first few minutes and fill in gradually; contact names arrive as your phone delivers them. Everything is in within 24 hours (within the hour when you reconnect a number that was working normally). Spun paces this on purpose to keep your number in good standing, and the Link sync card on the Health tab shows the current stage. Details: What loads when after connecting.
- Media (images, videos, documents) syncs on demand when you open a chat.
- Keep your phone connected to the internet during the first day.
Reconnecting after a disconnect
Spun automatically reconnects in most cases. If the banner says WhatsApp disconnected:
- If you use Self Proxy, check that your Self Proxy computer is switched on, awake and online. If it was off, WhatsApp resumes by itself once it is back.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and confirm it is working normally.
- In Spun, click Reconnect WhatsApp in the connection banner. The reconnect screen diagnoses the cause first and shows the matching step.
The reconnect screen never swaps your channel behind your back. Replacing a channel is always a manual, confirmed action.
What the reconnect screen may tell you
| It says | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your proxy computer is offline | The computer is off, asleep or disconnected | Turn it on. WhatsApp resumes by itself |
| Tunnel down | The computer is online but its tunnel to Spun is not answering | Restart the Spun Proxy service on that computer or check its firewall. Reloading the channel will not fix this |
| WhatsApp is paused | The computer appears outside your protected country, for example because a VPN was switched on | Turn off the VPN or proxy on that computer. There is nothing to scan or replace, and your number and messages are safe |
| Spun is switching your computer | A backup computer is taking over | Keep the page open. WhatsApp resumes on its own |
| WhatsApp is no longer linked | The phone unlinked Spun | Scan the QR again |
Re-scanning every so often is normal
WhatsApp Web sessions occasionally need a fresh QR scan - for many users about once a week. It depends on your messaging activity and on the server hosting your session.
No computer nearby?
If you are on your phone and have no second screen to scan from, open the Share to Friend tab on the reconnect screen and press Generate Share Link. Open the link on another phone, tablet or computer, enter the passcode shown, and scan the QR that appears there with your WhatsApp phone. If you use Self Proxy, that computer still has to be on for the connection to work.
If it keeps happening
- Change channels when scanning — the Change Channel button on the QR screen moves your session to a different server, which often stops repeated disconnects.
- If you use Self Proxy, check that computer - it must stay on, awake and on a stable home connection. A machine that sleeps or moves between networks causes repeated drops. Adding a backup computer keeps the line up when one machine goes offline.
Channel health indicators
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Connected | Everything is working |
| 🟡 Reconnecting | Temporary issue, auto-recovering |
| 🔴 Disconnected | Manual intervention needed |
Pro tips
- Multiple devices: WhatsApp supports up to 4 linked devices. Spun uses one slot.
- Phone off? You can stay connected for up to 14 days without your phone being online.
- Business accounts: Both WhatsApp personal and WhatsApp Business accounts work with Spun.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| QR won't scan | Ensure camera permissions are granted; try refreshing the page |
| Disconnects repeatedly | Scanning with Change Channel moves servers. On Self Proxy, make sure the computer never sleeps and add a backup computer |
| No second screen to scan from | Use the Share to Friend tab and scan from any other phone, tablet or computer |
| "WhatsApp is paused" | Turn off the VPN or proxy on your Self Proxy computer. It resumes by itself |
| Messages delayed | Verify phone has stable internet; check WhatsApp's server status |
| "Already linked to max devices" | Unlink an old device from WhatsApp → Linked Devices |
Related
- How your WhatsApp connects - the managed connection and your country
- Self Proxy - optional: run the connection from your own computer
- Settings — WhatsApp health, channels and connection region