WhatsApp on Web Is Now a Desktop App For Windows 8, 10 & Mac OS

WhatsApp on Web is an app for PC and iMac now. (Photo: iStockphoto)

WhatsApp on Web service for Mac and Windows (8 or higher) desktops is now an app. And before you think that the popular messaging app now works on your PC with a mobile, it doesn’t.

The new desktop app mirrors your mobile device, allowing you to message friends and family while your phone is in your pocket. Because it runs natively on your desktop as opposed to through an app on your browser, the app allows for native notifications and better keyboard shortcuts. 

<a href="https://blog.whatsapp.com/10000621/Introducing-WhatsApps-desktop-app"><b> WhatsApp Blogpost</b></a>

So, the only difference between the actual WhatsApp on Web and this app is that you wouldn’t have to rely on a web browser to use the messaging service anymore.

The app runs on Windows 8 and above and Mac OS 10.9 and above. To sync the newly-launched Facebook-owned desktop app with the smartphone, open the app and scan the QR code with your phone.

This may not be a big upgrade to what Facebook had managed to offer recently. As you might all know that WhatsApp messages, including pictures and video, are now fully encrypted, to the fact that even WhatsApp cannot decipher it.

Also Read: WhatsApp Encryption: What Does It Mean for Users?

There have been rumours that WhatsApp will soon offer video calling which will pit it right up against Skype. It would make a lot of sense for WhatsApp on Web to become mobile-independent once that happens.