WhatsApp Testing Mac App With Native Apple Silicon Support

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WhatsApp is developing an updated Mac app that features native Apple silicon support, with the company today providing a TestFlight beta to allow some Mac users to try out the new version of the app.

Whatsapp Feature
Apple silicon Macs have been able to use the Electron-based Intel version of WhatsApp for Mac since 2020 thanks to Rosetta 2, but there has been no native version available. An Apple silicon optimized Universal app should run faster and should use less resources on M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, and M2 machines.

whatsapp apple silicon 2
News of the WhatsApp for Mac beta was shared by WABetaInfo, and the site notes that it is an early beta so some features may not fully function. The Universal version of WhatsApp does have an updated design that has a more Mac-like style with dedicated sidebar, and it is notably quicker than the existing version.

whatsapp apple silicon 1
The sidebar features easy access to Chats, Calls, Archived, Starred, and Settings, and the chat interface also has an Apple-like style with Mac icons and a streamlined interface that feels more natural on Apple's devices.

There is no word on when the updated WhatsApp for Mac app will be released, but WhatsApp has been testing it internally for three weeks prior to providing a TestFlight version of the beta, so development is progressing.

Tag: WhatsApp

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Top Rated Comments

ProVideo Avatar
ProVideo
44 months ago
When Facebook/Meta tells you messages are end to end encrypted and no one else can see them:
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
macsplusmacs
44 months ago
Native Apple silicon support > bloated, memory-eating Electron apps.

Are you listening 1Password?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4419626 Avatar
4419626
44 months ago
WhatsApp from Meta.

Hard pass.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxsquared Avatar
maxsquared
44 months ago
It's about time.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
Kylo83
44 months ago
How long does it take Dam the m1 has been out for ages
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
ian87w
44 months ago

O.. sure... encrypted end-to-end... but who's on each end? Exactly!
End-to-end is end-to-end. Meaning nobody in the middle can see the chats other than you and the other person. And now, even the Google backups can be encrypted (previously they are not). As much as I hate Meta/FB, I appreciate whatsapp for their efforts in implementing encryption.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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