WhatsApp Working on App for iPadOS and macOS Using Mac Catalyst

WhatsApp is working on an app for iPadOS, and thanks to Mac Catalyst, an app for macOS too, according to WABetaInfo.

Whatsapp Feature
WhatsApp's rumored app for iPad will be a Catalyst app, enabling it to run seamlessly on macOS. This effectively allows the same app to share code while running on separate platforms.

The new WhatsApp app for macOS apparently looks very similar to the app for iPadOS, featuring the same basic interface, but there are some minor UI changes to accommodate a desktop experience. Presumably, this new Mac app will replace the existing macOS WhatsApp app and no longer rely on a connected smartphone.

The new apps will be supported by multi-device capability, allowing users to use their WhatsApp account on up to four different linked devices even when their main smartphone is not connected to the internet. WABetaInfo said that WhatsApp will enable support for macOS at a later date, suggesting that the iPad app may be released first.

Top Rated Comments

Havoc035 Avatar
32 months ago
Not a big Meta fan at all. But I have to hand it to them, using Catalyst to build the mac app is way better than having it based on Electron.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
32 months ago
How long does it take years
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
32 months ago
Talking of Signal, I hope this spurs them into creating a better ‘Signal Desktop’ macOS app (with more features, better integration with the OS, fuller menus, proper preferences window etc.) that can also go into the Mac App Store
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johannnn Avatar
32 months ago
And the watch? I need an app for the watch.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nebulosan Avatar
32 months ago

Not a big Meta fan at all. But I have to hand it to them, using Catalyst to build the mac app is way better than having it based on Electron.
I also read that they are ditching Electron in their Facebook Messenger desktop app in favor of an AppKit based one.

Even if one is not a user of FB/WhatsApp, this is good news since other developers can look at what tools and frameworks big companies like Facebook choose.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mockletoy Avatar
32 months ago

Isn't there already a WhatsApp app for macOS?

https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/whatsapp-desktop/id1147396723?l=fr&mt=12
That was always more of a companion app. Until quite recently it couldn’t actually do anything but basically mirror messages from your phone, which it had to be connected to at all times.

Just in the last little while they started a beta test of letting the app actually connect to the WhatsApp servers and do stuff on its own.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

ipad pro 2022

Apple Event Rumors: iPad Pro With M4 Chip and New Apple Pencil With Haptic Feedback

Sunday April 28, 2024 6:19 am PDT by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined some of the new products he expects Apple to announce at its "Let Loose" event on May 7. First, Gurman now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M4 chip, rather than the M3 chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro and iMac six months ago. He said a ...
apple id account

Apple ID Accounts Logging Out Users and Requiring Password Reset

Saturday April 27, 2024 12:41 am PDT by
There are widespread reports of Apple users being locked out of their Apple ID overnight for no apparent reason, requiring a password reset before they can log in again. Users say the sudden inexplicable Apple ID sign-out is occurring across multiple devices. When they attempt to sign in again they are locked out of their account and asked to reset their password in order to regain access. ...
iOS 18 General Notes Feature 2

iOS 18 Rumored to 'Overhaul' Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness Apps

Sunday April 28, 2024 6:44 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that iOS 18 will "overhaul" many of Apple's built-in apps, including Notes, Mail, Photos, and Fitness. Gurman did not reveal any specific new features planned for these apps. It was previously rumored that the Notes app will gain support for displaying more math equations, and a built-in option to record voice memos, but this is the first time we have...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Rumored to Add These 10 New Features to Your iPhone

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:05 pm PDT by
Apple is set to unveil iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, so the software update is a little over six weeks away from being announced. Below, we recap rumored features and changes planned for the iPhone with iOS 18. iOS 18 will reportedly be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, with new ChatGPT-inspired generative AI features, a more customizable Home Screen, and much more....
top stories 27apr2024

Top Stories: Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event With New iPads and More Expected

Saturday April 27, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
New iPads are coming, and Apple is holding a virtual event to introduce them! While it appears likely to be a relatively short video event, we should be seeing new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, some new accessories, and perhaps some additional surprises. Other Apple news and rumors this week included word that Apple is FINALLY planning to introduce a native Calculator app for the iPad later...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's iPad Event Finally Announced!

Friday April 26, 2024 8:31 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Let loose" event, where the company is widely expected to announce new iPad models and accessories. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's event invite shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Apple CEO Tim...