WhatsApp for Mac finally lets MacBook users directly join voice and video calls

WhatsApp has been used on desktops and laptops via the WhatsApp Web route for the longest time. That changed for a lot of Windows users last year when parent company Meta introduced a dedicated WhatsApp app for Windows. This brought most of WhatsApp’s features to Windows users, along with a better experience than what you’d find on browser tabs. Now, the same experience comes to Mac and MacBook users.

Meta announced the WhatsApp app for Mac earlier this week. The application allows macOS users to converse with friends, family and colleagues, while also allowing video calls, something WhatsApp Web doesn’t let you do.

WhatsApp for Mac: Top features

With the app, users can connect with up to eight users on video calls, and 32 users on a voice call. This allows users to take voice and video calls straight from a MacBook and Mac, without the need to reach out for your iPhone.

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WhatsApp for Mac will also take advantage of the larger screen on Macs and MacBooks to make things like file-sharing easier. Users can use drag-and-drop in the app to share files in a chat, and also view more of their chat history. WhatsApp’s announcement also mentions that WhatsApp for Mac will continue to maintain user privacy using the app’s end-to-end encryption.

How to get WhatsApp for Mac on your Mac or MacBook

WhatsApp for Mac will soon be available on the WhatsApp website from where users can sideload the same. However, the app is also set to come to the App Store as well.

The change comes days after WhatsApp introduced options to share high-quality photos and videos with lower file compression, allowing users to send media with more details and clarity.