Having followed Cupertino’s lead with end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp is further ingratiating itself with Apple fans by introducing a new official Mac desktop app.
Requiring Mac OS X 10.9 and higher, the app acts as an extension of your iPhone by mirroring conversations and messages from your mobile device. Much like WhatsApp Web, this means that you’ll need to keep your phone turned on and have an internet connection: a decision WhatsApp reportedly made because it helps with security by making sure that all messages are sent to just one device.
Despite this, the app does run natively on your desktop, meaning that users have support for native desktop notifications, better keyboard shortcuts, and more.
To download it you can visit WhatsApp’s dedicated page right here. After that, open the app and scan the QR code using the WhatsApp app on your phone to carry out the synchronization process.
Once all of that’s done, you’ll finally be able to send and receive WhatsApp messages with an OS X app without requiring third-party software to do so. As WhatsApp notes, users can now “stay in touch anytime or anywhere – whether on your phone or computer at home or work.”
Cheers for that!
