WhatsApp now allows anyone to beta test its desktop app for Mac and Windows. You can enroll in its new public beta program today to get your hands on the newest updates early — and you won’t want to miss it.
By gaining access to the beta, you’ll be one of the first to try out WhatsApp’s incoming multi-device overhaul when it finally starts rolling out.
WhatsApp is one of the biggest, most popular messaging platforms in the world with more than 2 billion users. But it still lacks true multi-device support — something many of its competitors have offered for years.
It is possible to use WhatsApp on your Mac or PC, but it relies on your smartphone to connect to WhatsApp’s servers. And with no official tablet app, the only way to access the service on your iPad is via a web browser.
WhatsApp plans true multi-device support
That’s going to change … eventually. WhatsApp is working on proper multi-device support and an official iPad app that will allow you to access your messages even after your smartphone dies.
In the meantime, there’s a new public beta for macOS and Windows that will allow you to try out new WhatsApp features early — and submit your feedback on changes and improvements ahead of the multi-device upgrade.
WABetaInfo reports that the public beta is designed to improve multi-device support, and provide WhatsApp with more feedback from a greater number of users before bigger upgrades are rolled out.
Get the WhatsApp public beta for Mac
To enroll in the WhatsApp public beta, you simply need to install the beta version of the app on your Mac or PC. Once you’re set up, you will continue to receive new beta releases as soon as they’re available.
The beta version of WhatsApp is near-identical to the official public release, but will include small changes and new features over time ahead of their wider rollout. The most recent version features a new voice messaging UI.
