TechSoftwareAppsWhatsApp’s new Mac app is a desktop delightThe Mac app for WhatsApp is out of beta and delivers excellent and effortless group callingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSoftwareAppsWhatsApp’s new Mac app is a desktop delightThe Mac app for WhatsApp is out of beta and delivers excellent and effortless group callingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Mac app for WhatsApp is out of beta and delivers excellent and effortless group calling
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Meta)
(Image credit: Meta)
After months of testing, theWhatsAppapp for Mac is here. It’s free, it’s solid and it’s an interesting alternative toApple’s FaceTime: the app enables you to make group calls from your Mac with up to 32 people in an audio call and 8 people in video.
The voice and video calling is very straightforward, and you can drop in on a group call even if you’ve missed the beginning. You can also choose whether to limit incoming call notifications to when the WhatsApp app is open, or to enable them at all times to ensure you don’t miss any.
If like me you tend to use messaging apps to send funny things to your friends, the ability to drag files directly into the app will be a big time saver. The app also enables you to see your call history and offers end-to-end encryption to keep your conversations and calls private.
Even better than the beta
I’ve been using the WhatsApp Mac beta for a while now and it’s really useful: the ability to see and respond to notifications on your Mac is genuinely handy, especially when it comes to busy group chats. Without the desktop app, opening theiPhoneversion during a tea break, lunch break or commute feels like blowing up a reservoir. So it’s a great way to tame message overload, which I think WhatsApp is often prone to.
It’s a really good and useful app, but as with all big-name messaging apps there’s a dark cloud hanging over it in the UK: the government’s Online Safety Bill could be interpreted in such a way that services wouldn’t be able to offer the end-to-end encryption that keeps your conversations private (the UK government denies this).
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
TOPICSappleiosipad
TOPICS
If you ever needed proof that cassette players are back, this is itWe Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
We Are Rewind has made a portable tape deck so retro it should appear from nowhere in a DeLorean
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
Apple’s affordable iPad set for major speed boost and Apple IntelligenceIt’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
It’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
Apple already sells a device thinner than the rumoured iPhone 17 AirThe slimming world of Apple
The slimming world of Apple
Apple MacBook Pro set for its biggest upgrade in many yearsIt’s great news for Apple fans
It’s great news for Apple fans
Apple iPhone could get a major camera boost… thanks to SamsungYou’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
You’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
If the iPhone 17 Pro looks like this, I’ll eat my hat!Surely this is highly unlikely?
Surely this is highly unlikely?
The next iPhone SE could be in for its biggest change yetBut will it simplify or confuse things?
But will it simplify or confuse things?
OLED iPad mini could be coming in 2026, say insidersApple’s smallest iPad could be getting even more portable – and the iPad Airs could get even slimmer too
Apple’s smallest iPad could be getting even more portable – and the iPad Airs could get even slimmer too
Apple AirTag 2 to reportedly use iPhone tech to make it an essential upgradePutting lost and found out of a job
Putting lost and found out of a job
