How to get whatsapp on mac
4 Methods You Can Use
By Mahesh Makvana
Updated
If you haven't got WhatsApp because you're a Mac user and think it doesn't work with Macs or iPhones, you're mistaken. Let's get WhatsApp working on OS X, shall we?
Are you finding it frustrating to reach for your phone each time there’s a new WhatsApp message? Don't worry, you can stop doing that. It's entirely possible to use WhatsApp on macOS.
WhatsApp is a mobile-only instant messaging app but you can get it to work on your Mac as well, using both official and unofficial methods. Just keep in mind you can’t install WhatsApp as an actual app on your Mac.
The following covers a method for when you want to use WhatsApp on your Mac without a phone as well. So, let’s get started.
1. Use the Official WhatsApp App for Mac
WhatsApp has actually developed a desktop app for Mac as well. This means you can grab this app from the App Store, link it to your WhatsApp account, and start using WhatsApp on macOS just like that.
Again, this won’t be a separate WhatsApp app or account. This is just an app-wrapper that shows your phone’s WhatsApp messages on your Mac.
You'll need access to your phone to scan a QR code that appears after installing the app on macOS, so be sure to keep it handy.
Here’s how you get started with WhatsApp for Mac:
- Launch the Mac App Store, search for WhatsApp Desktop, and install it.
- Open the app when it’s installed.
- Access WhatsApp on your phone, tap Menu or Settings, and select WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the QR code displayed on your Mac screen using your phone.
2 Images
WhatsApp for Mac will log you in, and you can now start sending and receiving messages from your desktop.
2.
Use WhatsApp Web on a Mac If you don’t want to install an app, you can use WhatsApp inside a browser. This works pretty much the same as the WhatsApp Desktop app, except you don't need to install it. This could be an advantage if you're trying to use WhatsApp on a work computer, for example.
If you’re interested, here’s how to set WhatsApp Web up on macOS:
- Open a new tab in your browser and head to WhatsApp Web. You’ll see a QR code.
- Launch WhatsApp on your phone, tap Settings or Menu, and select WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the code on your screen using WhatsApp on your phone.
You can now access the service from your browser on your Mac. As long as you're not using an Incognito or Private Browsing mode in your browser of choice, you should stay logged in.
Related: WhatsApp Web Tips and Tricks All Users Should Know
3. Use a WhatsApp Client on Your Mac
There are some third-party WhatsApp clients as well that you can install on your Mac.
These clients work like the WhatsApp for Mac app, but these offer a few extra features that the official one doesn’t.
FreeChat for WhatsApp is one such client that lets you access your WhatsApp messages on macOS. The tool offers various customizable options, like the ability to reply to messages from the notifications and enabling a dark mode theme.
You can install and configure this client as follows if you’re interested:
- Install the FreeChat for WhatsApp app on your Mac.
- Open the app and you’ll see a QR code.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone, tap Settings or Menu, and choose WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the code and you’ll be able to use your WhatsApp account on macOS.
4. Use an Android Emulator to Access WhatsApp on a Mac
Using an Android emulator to access WhatsApp on your Mac is a completely different procedure than any of the procedures outlined above. In this method, what you basically do is you actually install the WhatsApp mobile app and create a new account to use with it.
If you’ve used an emulator like BlueStacks to run Android apps on your Mac before, you know you need to log in to your Google account, and the emulator then lets you load whatever apps you want. You can install WhatsApp using this method and then create and use an account with it.
A major drawback of this method is that you won’t be able to use WhatsApp on your phone if you register the same phone number in this Android emulator.
If you’re okay with that, here’s what you need to do to get WhatsApp running on your Mac:
- Head over to the BlueStacks site and download and install the free tool on your Mac.
- Launch BlueStacks and log in to your Google account.
- Search for WhatsApp, click it when you find it, and install it.
- Click Open to open the newly installed WhatsApp app in your virtual Android system.
- When WhatsApp opens, it’ll ask you to enter your phone number. Enter the number you want to use.
- Choose the call method to verify your number. You need to answer the call from WhatsApp, listen to the code, and enter it on your Mac’s screen.
- The app should be working now.
Now you can message your friends and family as if you were doing so from your phone. Make sure to keep BlueStacks running to ensure you don’t miss out on any notifications for WhatsApp.
One more thing you need to know is how to share files in BlueStacks. Since you’re in an emulated environment, you need to use BlueStacks’ Media Manager to send and receive files in WhatsApp. This tool will allow you to send files from your Mac to your WhatsApp recipients and to get files from them to your Mac machine.
Can You Make WhatsApp Voice or Video Calls From a Mac?
No, WhatsApp currently doesn’t allow you to place voice or video calls from a Mac. You must use the mobile app to make any kind of calls with WhatsApp.
Give Your Phone A Break
If you find you’re spending quite a bit of your time looking for your phone to see new WhatsApp messages, it’s time to bring that whole WhatsApp experience to your Mac.
Use one of the methods above to get this widely popular chat app running on your Mac machine.
You can use WhatsApp on Windows computers as well, in case you don’t use macOS exclusively. Most features of WhatsApp for mobile should work just fine on the Windows version.
How to Use WhatsApp on Your Mac
Despite strong competition from the likes of Telegram and Signal, WhatsApp remains the most popular messaging platform by a mile. At the last count in 2020, the Facebook-owned service had more than 2 billion WhatsApp users around the globe and rising.
If you consider that it had 1.5 billion users in 2018 and 1 billion in 2016, then the number of active WhatsApp accounts has been increasing at half a billion every two years.
In 2018, the service said it was host to 64 billion encrypted messages on its most successful day. While the vast majority of these messages will have been exchanged over smartphones, it is possible to use WhatsApp on a Mac. Keep reading to learn how.
How WhatsApp Works on Mac
There are two principle ways that you can access your WhatsApp account from your Mac. You can use the WhatsApp website for a web-based experience, or if you don't like the sound of that, you can use a separate chat client instead.
WhatsApp offers its own free WhatsApp Desktop app available on the Mac App Store, where you'll find other third-party WhatsApp clients also available, such as FreeChat and ChatMate. Which one you choose is a matter of preference, because they all basically do the same thing – let you access and participate in your WhatsApp conversations on your Mac.
How to Use WhatsApp on Your Mac
- Open a browser on your Mac and navigate to the WhatsApp Web website. Alternately, launch WhatsApp Desktop for macOS or a third-party WhatsApp-supporting app.
- Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Tap Settings.
- Select WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
- Tap the big blue Link a Device button.
- Point your iPhone's camera at your Mac's screen to capture the QR code shown on the WhatsApp Web website or within the desktop app you're using.
Once the QR code is scanned and the sync is complete, you'll be able to see all the conversations that you've had on your iPhone right there on your Mac. You'll also have the ability to send and receive text and voice-based messages, get involved in group chats, and have access to all of the other things that you're used to doing on your iPhone, just now on your Mac's desktop as well.
How to Unlink WhatsApp on Your Mac
You can unlink your WhatsApp account from the computer you're using anytime by following these steps.
- Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Tap Settings.
- Select WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
- Under "Device Status," select the browser or app that you previously linked your account to.
- Tap Log Out.
Now that you've unlinked your account from the computer, nobody else who later uses it will have access to your WhatsApp conversations.
Tags: WhatsApp, WhatsApp Web
Related Stories
How to End-to-End Encrypt Your WhatsApp Chat Backups in iCloud
Friday October 15, 2021 1:03 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
WhatsApp end-to-end encrypted backups are now rolling out for iPhone users, Facebook has announced. Until now, WhatsApp let users back up their chat history to iCloud, but the messages and media contained in the backups weren't protected by WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption while in Apple's cloud servers. End-to-end encryption ensures only you and the person you're...
How to Make Your Mac's Cursor Bigger
Wednesday March 2, 2022 8:12 pm PST by Tim Hardwick
In macOS, Apple allows you to easily increase the size of the mouse or trackpad cursor on the screen, which is great if you find it difficult to keep track of.
Keep reading to learn how.
If you're having a hard time working out when the cursor on your Mac's screen moves or changes to an insertion point, crosshair, hand, or other shape, it's worth making it bigger.
Making the on-screen...
iOS 15.4: How to Add Notes to iCloud Keychain Entries
Tuesday February 1, 2022 4:23 pm PST by Tim Hardwick
In iOS 15.4, currently in beta, Apple has added the ability for users to add notes to account entries in iCloud Keychain. This article explains how it's done. Slowly but surely with each iteration of iOS, Apple has been improving iCloud Keychain to put it on equal footing with rival third-party password managers such as 1Password. And in iOS 15.4, it continues that tradition with a simple...
How to Use Universal Control Across Macs and iPads
Monday February 7, 2022 1:04 pm PST by Tim Hardwick
As of iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3, Apple has introduced support for Universal Control, the long-awaited feature that's designed to allow multiple Macs and iPads to be controlled with a single mouse and keyboard.
Thanks to Universal Control, you can use the same cursor and keyboard on any nearby Mac or iPad that's signed into your iCloud account. So, for example, if you have a...
How to Use Universal Control and Sidecar Simultaneously in macOS 12.3
Tuesday March 15, 2022 5:06 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
With the release of macOS 12.3, Macs provide support for two separate features called Sidecar and Universal Control that allow Macs and iPads to be used together, but in different ways. This article explains the difference between them and shows you how to use both features in concert, provided your setup allows for it. Keep reading to learn more. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for ...
How to Send Expiring Emails on iPhone and iPad
Monday February 28, 2022 3:08 pm PST by Tim Hardwick
Unlike Apple Mail, Gmail for iPhone and iPad offers users the facility to send emails that are passcode protected and expire after a specified time. This article explains how it's done.
If you need to send private information to someone over email, it's best to do it securely, which is why Gmail includes an optional "confidential mode" for sending messages of a sensitive nature.
By...
How to Use WhatsApp on iPad
Tuesday January 11, 2022 4:44 pm PST by Tim Hardwick
Despite strong competition from the likes of Telegram and Signal, WhatsApp remains the most popular mobile messaging platform by a mile, connecting over a billion active users around the world every day. As a smartphone app, WhatsApp messages are principally exchanged between iPhones and Android phones, but WhatsApp is known to be developing an iPad app that would increase the number of...
How to Enable Disappearing Messages in WhatsApp
Tuesday January 25, 2022 8:06 pm PST by Tim Hardwick
WhatsApp in 2020 launched disappearing messages on its end-to-end encrypted chat platform as a way of doubling down on user privacy. If you want to have control over how long a message lasts in WhatsApp, read on to learn how it works.
When you sit down and have a face-to-face conversation with someone, usually you're reasonably confident that your conversation isn't being recorded and stored ...
Popular Stories
iOS 16.2 Expected to Launch in Mid-December With Several New Features
Sunday October 30, 2022 6:53 am PDT by Sami Fathi
iOS 16.2, the next major update to the iOS 16 operating system, can be expected to launch in mid-December alongside iPadOS 16.2, reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman said today in his Power on newsletter outlining expectations for the remainder of 2022. The first beta of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 was released for developers and public beta testers last week, so it's still early to...
Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Solid-State Buttons and Three Taptic Engines
Thursday October 27, 2022 11:12 pm PDT by Hartley Charlton
The iPhone 15 Pro models may feature solid-state volume and power buttons, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The Taptic Engine in the iPhone 6S – the first iPhone model to feature the component. In a tweet, Kuo explained that the volume and power buttons on next year's two high-end iPhone models may adopt a solid-state design, similar to the iPhone 7's home button, replacing a...
Top Stories: New iOS 16.1 Features, USB-C iPhone Confirmed, and More
Saturday October 29, 2022 6:00 am PDT by MacRumors Staff
October is drawing to a close with plenty to talk about in terms of new hardware and software releases from Apple, while we're also looking ahead with iOS 16.2 and future hardware. Read on below for all of the details on everything Apple released this week, including our early hands-on look at Apple's new iPads, plus a rumor about Apple's biggest-ever iPad and more! iOS 16.1 Released:...
Gurman: Apple Planning No New Mac Releases For Remainder of 2022
Sunday October 30, 2022 6:08 am PDT by Sami Fathi
Apple is not planning to announce any new Macs in the remainder of this year, with all planned releases expected to take place in the first quarter of 2023, including updated versions of the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and the Mac Pro, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple has decided to wait until next year to announce new Macs,...
Rumor: New 14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pros Delayed Until Next Year
Sunday October 30, 2022 4:57 am PDT by Sami Fathi
Contrary to rumors that Apple will announce new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros powered with the yet to be announced M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in November, a new rumor has suggested Apple will instead release the new laptops next year. According to a post from the account "yeux1122" on the Korean blog Naver, citing a supply chain source, the updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will ...
Here Are All the Apps That Have Added Live Activities and Dynamic Island Support for iOS 16.1
Monday October 24, 2022 1:15 pm PDT by Juli Clover
The iOS 16.1 update that was released today introduces support for Live Activities, a new type of lingering Lock Screen notification that lets you track information in real time.
Live Activities are visible primarily on the Lock Screen, but if you have an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, they also show up in the Dynamic Island.
Developers are beginning to implement support for Live Activities, and...
How to Install WhatsApp on Mac: Best Ways to Use
Do you feel uncomfortable reaching for your phone every time you receive a new WhatsApp message? Don't worry, you can stop doing it. It is entirely possible to use WhatsApp on macOS.
WhatsApp This is a mobile instant messaging app, but you can make it work on your Mac using both official and unofficial methods. Just be aware that you cannot install WhatsApp as an actual app on your Mac.
Here are ways to use WhatsApp on Mac without a phone. So let's get started.
1. Use the official WhatsApp for Mac.
WhatsApp has already developed a desktop app for Mac. This means you can get this app from the App Store, link it to your WhatsApp account, and start using WhatsApp on macOS just like you would on your phone.
Again, this will not be a standalone app or WhatsApp account. It's just an application shell that displays your phone's WhatsApp messages on Mac.
You must have access to your phone to scan the QR code that appears after you install the app on macOS, so be sure to keep it handy.
Here's how to get started with WhatsApp for Mac:
- Launch the Mac App Store and search for WhatsApp Desktop and install it.
- Open the application when the installation wizard completes.
- Log in to WhatsApp on your phone, press "Menu" or "Settings" and select WhatsApp Web .
- Scan the QR code displayed on your Mac screen with your phone.
WhatsApp for Mac will log you in and you can now send and receive messages from your desktop.
2. Use WhatsApp Web on Mac.
If you don't want to install the app, you can use WhatsApp in a browser. This works just like the WhatsApp desktop app, except you don't have to install it.
This can be a plus, for example, if you are trying to use WhatsApp on a work computer.
If you're wondering, here's how to set up WhatsApp Web On macOS:
- Open a new browser tab and navigate to WhatsApp Web. You will see a QR code.
- Launch WhatsApp on your phone, tap Settings or Menu and select WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the code on the screen using WhatsApp on your phone.
You can now access the service from a browser on your Mac. If you are not using incognito mode or private browsing in the browser of your choice, you must remain logged in.
3. Use the WhatsApp client on Mac.
There are also some third party WhatsApp applications that you can install on your Mac. Which works like WhatsApp for Mac but offers some additional features not found in the official app.
FreeChat for WhatsApp is one such application that allows you to access WhatsApp messages on macOS. The app offers various customizable options such as the ability to reply to messages from notifications and the inclusion of a dark mode theme.
If you are interested, you can install and configure this client as follows:
- Install FreeChat for WhatsApp on your Mac.
- Open the app and you will see a QR code.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone, tap Settings or Menu and select WhatsApp Web.
- Scan the code and you can use your WhatsApp account on macOS.
4. Use an Android emulator to access WhatsApp on Mac.
use Android Emulator Accessing WhatsApp on Mac is a completely different procedure than any of the above. In this method, you basically already install the WhatsApp mobile app and create a new account to use it.
If you have used an emulator like BlueStacks to run Android apps on your Mac before, you know that you need to sign in with your Google account and then the emulator will let you download any apps you want. You can install WhatsApp using this method and then create and use an account with it.
The main disadvantage of this method is that you will not be able to use WhatsApp on your phone if you have registered the same phone number in the Android emulator.
If you're happy with that, here's what you need to do to get WhatsApp running on your Mac:
- Go to BlueStacks website Download and install the free app on your Mac.
- Launch BlueStacks and sign in with your Google account.
- Find WhatsApp, click it when you find it and install it.
- Click فتح To open the newly installed WhatsApp on Android by default.
- When WhatsApp opens, you will be prompted to enter your phone number. Enter the number you want to use.
- Select a contact method to confirm your number. You need to answer the call from WhatsApp, listen to the code and enter it on the screen of your Mac.
- The application should now work.
Now you can send text messages to your friends and family just like you would from your phone. Make sure BlueStacks is still running so you don't miss any WhatsApp notifications.
You also need to know how to share files on BlueStacks.
Since you are in a simulated environment, you need to use the BlueStacks media manager to send and receive files on WhatsApp. This tool will allow you to send files from your Mac to WhatsApp recipients and transfer files from them to your Mac.
Can you make audio or video calls on WhatsApp from your Mac?
No, WhatsApp does not currently allow you to make voice or video calls from your Mac. You must use the mobile app to make calls of any type using WhatsApp.
Give your phone a break
If you find yourself spending a lot of time looking for your phone to see new WhatsApp messages, then it's time to get the most out of WhatsApp on your Mac. Use one of the above methods to get this popular chat app running on your Mac.
You can also use WhatsApp on a Windows PC if you're using something other than macOS. Most WhatsApp mobile features should work fine on the Windows version. Check out the Best WhatsApp Alternatives That Really Respect Your Privacy.
Source
How to use WhatsApp on Mac
WhatsApp is arguably the most popular messaging platform on the planet. In 2018, the Facebook-owned company boasted that it had processed 64 billion messages processed on its servers on its servers at the most successful one. day (we'll give you a second for this to soak in).
But what if you want to use WhatsApp on your Mac to reply to messages on your iPhone? Is there a way to do this? It turns out that there are several ways to access WhatsApp on Mac, and here we outline your best options.
Therefore, this article explains how to receive, send and receive messages via WhatsApp for iPhone (or Android!) on your Mac. Oh, and if you want to use WhatsApp on your iPad, we have a tutorial for that too.
Programs for Windows, mobile applications, games - EVERYTHING is FREE, in our closed telegram channel - Subscribe :) called WhatsApp Web. Basically, it is a WhatsApp browser app that allows users to log in from almost any device and access their WhatsApp messages.
- Go to the WhatsApp website in Safari, Chrome, Opera, or FireFox.
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Click on Settings
- Select WhatsApp Web / Desktop.
- Click on the scan barcode and wait while your browser connects to WhatsApp.
Please note that since WhatsApp connects to your iPhone to sync messages, you must make sure it is connected to WiFi or you may be using your data.
You will be able to access all conversations available on your smartphone. In addition to that, you can send and receive media, participate in group chats, send and receive voice notes, and even get notified when you receive a new message.
You can even record voice memos to send to friends. Next to the text of the message you will see a microphone icon, click on it and (after approving the use of your microphone) you can record an audio message.
WhatsApp Desktop
Following the success of WhatsApp Web, the company launched its own desktop app for Mac and PC users.
It can be downloaded for free through the WhatsApp website or from the Mac App Store here and is extremely easy to set up.
Download WhatsApp Desktop, install and open it.
Just like the web browser version, you need to open WhatsApp on your iPhone and scan the QR code, so click Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop and scan the QR code.
You will see all your WhatsApp conversations appear in the application window.
Once you connect your PC or Mac to your mobile device, you can sync WhatsApp contacts and conversations to your desktop! Any messages sent or received are shown in real time on both your phone and the desktop app. So if you delete a conversation on your phone, it will be deleted from your desktop app and vice versa.
Just like the web app, you need to turn on your phone or Wi-Fi data, so make sure you have a mobile data plan to meet your needs or that you are connected to a Wi-Fi network. If your phone is not connected, you will not receive messages and sent messages will be put on hold.
