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How to make WhatsApp voice and video calls on Mac

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How to fact-check fake news on WhatsApp
It's quick and easy and available cross-platform.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp on Mac now has the ability to make and receive voice and video calls. It’s ideal for keeping in touch with friends, family, and colleagues from your desk while you can’t see them face to face.

Here’s how to initiate a voice or video call yourself.

WhatsApp will stop working on iPhones running iOS 9

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WhatsApp-dark-mode
Make sure you'll be able to continue using WhatsApp.
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp has updated its app requirements, meaning that all users must now run at least iOS 10, as released in 2016.

That means that iPhone 4s users can no longer run the popular messaging app. Instead, anyone who wants to use WhatsApp must have an iPhone 5 or later. Otherwise WhatsApp will stop working.

WhatsApp for Mac now supports voice and video calls

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WhatsApp voice and video calling comes to desktop
Keeping us connected while we're stuck inside.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp’s official desktop app is getting a big update to add support for voice and video calls. The new features will be available on both Mac and Windows in the newest WhatsApp release, which is rolling out now.

WhatsApp will cut off message sending and receiving for users who don’t agree new terms

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WhatsApp-dark-mode
New rules come into effect in May.
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac

Users who don’t get on board with WhatsApp’s terms and conditions will be unable to send or receive messages after May 15. While calls and notifications will continue to work for a short while, this will supposedly only be for a period of a “few weeks.”

WhatsApp first announced the changing privacy policies in January. The changed policy notes that, “As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies.”

How to import your WhatsApp chat history into Telegram

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Import WhatsApp chats into Telegram
Switch to Telegram the easy way.
Image: Telegram/Cult of Mac

Are you one of the many who have decided to ditch WhatsApp in favor of Telegram? If so, you’ll be pleased to know Telegram’s latest update makes it possible to import all your WhatsApp chat data so that you don’t lose it when you switch. We’ll show you how.

Facebook’s spat with Apple keeps getting uglier

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Facebook’s spat with Apple keeps getting uglier
Facebook continues to attack Apple, with the social-networking giant accusing Apple of unfair business practices.
Photo: PxHere

The war of words between Facebook and Apple heated up further on Wednesday, with the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating, “we increasingly see Apple as one of our biggest competitors.” And the rivalry between the might be headed to court, with the social-networking giant accusing Apple of using the App Store to disadvantage rivals.

Beeper app promises to bring iMessage to Android and Windows

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Beeper brings iMessage to Android and Windows
15 different chat platforms in one.
Photo: Beeper

Beeper is a new all-in-one chat app that merges 15 different platforms into one. That sounds pretty interesting already, but what makes Beeper really exciting is its promise to put iMessage on Android and Windows.

The app, from Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky and his team, is “using some trickery” to make the impossible possible. But you’ll have to cough up a monthly subscription fee if you want to take advantage of it.

Facebook Messenger follows WhatsApp’s lead on forwarding limits

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Facebook Messenger gets message forwarding limits
Suck it, spammers!
Photo: Facebook

Facebook is rolling out new message-forwarding limits in an effort to cut down on the spread of misinformation.

A similar version of the feature, which ensures messages can be forwarded to only five people or groups at a time, is already available inside WhatsApp — another Facebook service.

This app lets you easily move WhatsApp chat histories between iOS and Android

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Dr. Fone - WhatsApp Transfer
With Dr. Fone - WhatsApp Transfer, moving chat histories between iOS and Android devices is no longer a puzzle.
Photo: Wondershare

This WhatsApp chat transfer post is presented by Dr.Fone.

When you get a new device and transfer your WhatsApp account to it, you might be surprised to find your past conversations don’t automatically make the trip from the old device. Thankfully, WhatsApp transfer, backup and restore are nice and simple with Wondershare’s Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer, even when you’re going from an iPhone or iPad to an Android device (or vice versa).

The functionality is part of Shenzhen, China-based Wondershare’s popular Dr.Fone suite, which includes various apps covering everything from screen unlocking and system repair to data recovery and backup for iOS and Android devices.

How to weed out fake news you receive via WhatsApp

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How to fact-check fake news on WhatsApp
Don't be fooled by fake news stories.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp has long been taking steps to fight the spread of fake news on its platform. The latest, a new feature being piloted in many markets, makes it easier to fact-check any news stories you receive.

Here’s how to use it on iPhone.

WhatsApp starts pushing out increased group call limit for all

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WhatsApp group calls
Look out for the newest WhatsApp update.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp has begun rolling out a big increase to its group call limit that will make it easier to keep in touch with colleagues and loved ones while stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s now possible to have voice and video calls with up to eight people. The change comes just days after code hinting at a new limit was spotted in an early WhatsApp beta release.

WhatsApp may increase group call limit to help keep us connected

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WhatsApp group calls
WhatsApp currently allows just four people in a single group call.
Photo: WhatsApp

Seeing friends and family in person just isn’t possible during a global pandemic, so WhatsApp could be making some changes to ensure that we can still have face-to-face contact (via a screen) without leaving our homes.

Changes in the app’s latest beta release suggest the limit for group audio and video calls will soon increase. It currently allows for just four participants at any one time, while others — like Facebook Messenger — can support up to 50.

WhatsApp outlines its mission to keep you safe during COVID-19

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whatsapp-logo
It includes tighter restrictions on message forwarding.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp on Tuesday outlined measures to keep its more than 2 billion users safe and secure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measures include tighter limits on message forwarding, and working with organizations and governments like the World Health Organization to help connect user with more accurate information.

“We believe that now more than ever people need to be able to connect privately,” WhatsApp said. “Our teams are hard at work to keep WhatsApp running reliably during this unprecedented global crisis.”

5 Zoom alternatives to keep you connected during COVID-19 crisis

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Zoom definitely isn't your only option for videoconferencing. Check out these Zoom alternatives, including Houseparty.
Zoom definitely isn't your only option for videoconferencing.
Photo: Life on Air

Zoom might be the best video-conferencing app, but that’s a bit like saying Facebook is the best social network. It might be true 1, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel dirty if you use it. Despite a seemingly never-ending stream of privacy violations, security holes and utter disregard for its customers, Zoom is still being used as the de facto standard video conferencing and broadcasting tool during the COVID-19 crisis.

We’ve already seen the problems with Zoom. And we’ve also shown you how to protect yourself if you choose to use Zoom despite the company’s many privacy missteps. (Zoom pledged to do better this week.) But what about other services you could rely on during the coronavirus shutdown? Read on. We have five great Zoom alternatives you can use.

How to check the exact time someone read your WhatsApp message

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a crumpled up paper receipt
The correct fate for all receipts.
Photo: Michael Walter/Unsplash

In a civilized society, there would be no such thing as a “read receipt” for messages or emails. You’d send your message, and that would be it. But read receipts are here, and if you’re one of the folks that doesn’t turn them off, then you’re going to love this WhatsApp tip.

You already know the meanings of the checkboxes that indicate successfully sent, delivered and read messages in WhatsApp. Today we’ll see how to check the exact time a recipient read your WhatsApp message.

Apple tests iMessage mentions, retractions and more for iOS 14

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iOS 10 Messages
iMessage could get even better later this year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly testing a number of new iMessage features that could debut with iOS 14 later this year. They include the ability to retract messages after they’re sent, and to tag other people in group chats. We could also get the option to mark messages as unread.

WhatsApp tests password-protected chat backups in latest beta

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Facebook messaging apps
Coming soon to an iPhone near you?
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp’s newest beta release is out with password protection for your chat backups. The feature provides an additional layer of security — and added peace of mind — that ensures only you can access your conversation history.

WhatsApp’s long-awaited dark mode finally on its way to iPhone

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WhatsApp-dark-mode
It's in beta testing now!
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac

Being blinded by WhatsApp’s bright white interface when replying to a late-night text will soon be a thing of the past. The messaging app’s long-awaited dark mode is finally on its way to iPhone.

Beta testers already have access to the new look, which means we should all be able to enjoy it soon.

Instagram DMs are coming to the web

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instagram
Facebook is focused on owning messaging.
Photo: Instagram

Chatting with your friends on Instagram is coming soon to a desktop computer near you.

Instagram revealed today that it is testing a new feature that allows users to access their Instagram DMs through the company’s website. For now, the feature is only being tested with a small percentage of users, but it might be available to everyone later this year.

Apple denies AG Barr’s calls of no help to unlock Pensacola killer’s iPhones

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Tim Cook & Apple stand behind its stance that iPhone encryption is "vital to protecting our country and our users' data."

Apple denied late Monday that it has not cooperated with U.S. federal authorities to help unlock a pair of iPhone’s believed to have belonged to a Saudi aviation student that killed three people at a Florida Navy base in December, saying it always works with law enforcement in their investigations and directly contradicting claims by the U.S. Attorney General that it had not given “substantive assistance.”