WhatsApp Desktop

by Meta · Chat & video calls

FreeWindowsMac

WhatsApp on your computer, linked to your phone account.

Official download from whatsapp.com (opens in a new tab)

Opens whatsapp.com, Meta's own site. No mirror, no bundle.

Overview

What is WhatsApp Desktop?

WhatsApp Desktop links to your phone with a QR code and keeps chats in sync, with end-to-end encrypted messages and calls. On Windows it installs from the Microsoft Store.

Key features

  • Linked-device sync with your phone
  • Voice and video calls
  • File and photo sharing
  • End-to-end encryption

Best for

  • Typing long messages on a keyboard
  • Sending files from PC to phone contacts
  • Work chats on WhatsApp

Install

How to install WhatsApp Desktop

  1. 1Open the official WhatsApp Desktop download page on whatsapp.com.
  2. 2Pick the build for your system (Windows, Mac; check x64, ARM or Apple silicon where offered).
  3. 3Run the installer and read each screen; decline anything you did not ask for.
  4. 4Keep it updated from the app's own updater or your package manager.

Install from the command line

  • Mac · Homebrew

    brew install --cask whatsapp

Package IDs checked against the public winget, Homebrew and Flathub repositories on 1 Nov 2026. Build a script for several apps.

Safety

Download WhatsApp Desktop safely

  • Check the domain

    The real download lives on whatsapp.com. Look-alike domains and search ads are the most common trap.

  • Skip mirrors

    Download portals can wrap installers in adware or old versions. You never need them for this app.

  • Verify if you can

    If the publisher lists a checksum, compare it with our in-browser checker before running the file.

  • Watch the installer

    Untick extras, browser changes or trials you did not ask for.

Open the checksum checker

Alternatives

WhatsApp Desktop alternatives

Other chat & video calls apps, closest platform match first.

All chat

FAQ

WhatsApp Desktop questions

Where can I download WhatsApp Desktop safely?

Download WhatsApp Desktop only from Meta's official site at whatsapp.com. Avoid mirror and "download portal" sites, which can bundle extra software with the installer.

Is WhatsApp Desktop free?

Yes. WhatsApp Desktop is free to download and use, though it is not open source.

Does WhatsApp Desktop work on Windows and Mac?

WhatsApp Desktop is available for Windows, Mac. Check Meta's download page for exact system requirements and whether your processor (x64, ARM or Apple silicon) is supported.

Can I install WhatsApp Desktop from the command line?

Yes, with Homebrew on Mac (brew install --cask whatsapp). Package managers fetch the publisher's files and make updates easy.

What are good alternatives to WhatsApp Desktop?

See the alternatives section on this page and the full chat & video calls list on AltFTool, which shows each app's licence and platforms side by side.