what to know
- You must install and set up WhatsApp on your phone before you can use it on your Mac.
- Download WhatsApp from the Mac App Store or the WhatsApp download page.
- Navigate and take action using the tabs in the WhatsApp window or the options in the Mac menu bar.
This article explains how to download and set up the free WhatsApp desktop app for Mac as well as basic usage of the app. These instructions are for macOS Sonoma 14.2 or later.
You can download and install the WhatsApp desktop app for Mac in two ways. You can get the app from the Mac App Store or the WhatsApp website. Both app versions are the same, so you can use the method that works best for you.
To get WhatsApp from Apple, open the App Store on your Mac and follow the steps below.
Enter "WhatsApp" in the search box in the upper left corner and press Return .
When you see WhatsApp Messenger in the list of results, select it.
(Optional) Review the instructions and select Get to download the app to your Mac.
If prompted, enter your password or use Touch/Face ID to authorize the download.
If you are browsing the internet or using the web version of WhatsApp, you can download WhatsApp for Mac from this website.
Visit the web version of WhatsApp and select the green "Download" button in the upper right corner, or select "Download" in the top navigation bar and then "Download" again on the subsequent screen.
Follow any web browser prompts to grant download permission.
Open the Downloads folder of the web browser you are using and select the WhatsApp installer file.
Once the installer opens, drag the WhatsApp icon to the Applications folder icon.
If necessary, close the installer window.
To use WhatsApp on your Mac, you must first install and set up the app on your phone. Then, follow the steps below.
Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap Menu or Settings at the bottom, depending on your device.
Select the link device .
Click Link Devices and grant camera access when prompted.
Open the Applications folder on your Mac and select WhatsApp to launch the application.
Click Start on the WhatsApp welcome screen.
You'll see a QR code and instructions for capturing the code.
Use your mobile device to capture the QR code in the WhatsApp window on your Mac.
You should see a brief "Log in" message and your Mac appear as a linked device on your phone. You can then close WhatsApp on your mobile device.
Choose how you want to view WhatsApp notifications on your Mac by enabling the switch and selecting Done .
You will then see the WhatsApp home screen where you can start communicating with your contacts.
To control communications, perform actions, and navigate the WhatsApp desktop on macOS, you can use the application window, the Mac menu bar, or a combination of both.
You'll see the same tabs in WhatsApp for Mac as in the mobile app, although they appear on the left side of the app window instead of the bottom of the screen.
- Chat : Start a new message or continue a previous conversation.
- Calls : Make a voice or video call and view call history.
- Status : View items or channel updates that disappear after 24 hours.
- Archive : View your archived items and unarchive if necessary.
- Starred messages : View your starred messages and their associated conversations.
- Settings : View your account or adjust your notifications, chat, privacy, and storage preferences.
Like other apps you use on macOS, you can use the Mac menu bar to navigate and perform actions in WhatsApp.
notes
Menu items appear grayed out if they are not available at the time. For example, if you are on the WhatsApp Calls tab, the Chat menu actions are not available.
- WhatsApp : Check the app's version number, open Settings, check for updates, and then exit WhatsApp.
- Files : Start a new chat or call, open a recent item, use search, or close the window.
- Chat : Hide chats, view a contact's details, and archive, pin, or mute conversations.
- Call : Mute the microphone, turn off the camera, show participants, or select a connected device.
- View : Open one of the tabs, view your profile, view the previous or next chat, or change the text size.
Standard macOS Menus (including Edit, Window, and Help) can also be used to undo or redo actions, minimize or maximize windows, search the menu, and access the WhatsApp Help Center.
With WhatsApp desktop for Mac, you can continue chatting and calling without searching your phone.
