WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. The app is available for smartphones as well as desktop operating systems like Windows and macOS. However, there has been some confusion around whether the WhatsApp desktop app for Mac requires Rosetta to run or not.
What is Rosetta?
Rosetta is an emulation layer created by Apple to allow apps designed for Intel-based Macs to run on Apple silicon Macs. The latest Mac computers from Apple use Apple silicon chips instead of Intel chips. This means apps need to be updated to run natively on the new ARM-based architecture.
Rosetta provides backwards compatibility by dynamically translating Intel x86 instructions to ARM instructions when you run an Intel-based app on an Apple silicon Mac. This allows you to run apps that haven’t yet been updated for Apple silicon.
Does WhatsApp desktop for Mac require Rosetta?
The short answer is no, WhatsApp desktop for Mac does not require Rosetta to run on Apple silicon Macs. WhatsApp desktop is a native macOS app designed to run on both Intel-based and Apple silicon Mac computers without any emulation layer.
According to WhatsApp, the macOS app is compiled with Apple’s Xcode development tools which can build universal binary files containing executables for both chip architectures. The macOS operating system is then able to run the correct executable for the hardware it is installed on.
So when you install WhatsApp desktop on an Apple silicon Mac, it will automatically run the ARM64 version of the app natively without needing Rosetta translation. Running natively typically provides better performance compared to emulated apps.
Will WhatsApp desktop stop working on old Intel Macs?
No, WhatsApp desktop will continue to work on older Intel-based Macs as well. As mentioned above, the WhatsApp desktop app contains executables for both Intel and Apple silicon inside a universal binary file.
This means that the app will continue to run just fine on older Intel Macs as well. There are no plans to drop support for Intel chips anytime soon.
The universal binary approach allows WhatsApp desktop to run across Apple’s ecosystem of devices without issues. The app automatically picks the correct executable depending on the hardware it is installed on.
How to get WhatsApp desktop on a Mac
Here are simple steps to get WhatsApp desktop on your Mac:
- Go to https://www.whatsapp.com/download and click on Download for Mac.
- This will download a DMG file to your Downloads folder. Open the WhatsApp.dmg file once it completes downloading.
- Inside the DMG you will see a WhatsApp icon. Drag this icon into your Applications folder to install WhatsApp.
- Launch WhatsApp from your Applications folder. It will walk you through a quick setup process.
- Scan the QR code shown on the screen using your phone’s WhatsApp app to link the desktop app.
That’s it! WhatsApp desktop will now be installed and ready to use on your Mac.
Features of WhatsApp desktop
WhatsApp desktop provides all the great chatting features that you get on the mobile app in an easy-to-use desktop interface. Some of the main features include:
- Send and receive messages, photos, videos, documents, voice messages and more
- Create groups to chat with multiple people at once
- Sync all chats from your phone to your computer automatically
- Native desktop notifications for new messages
- Type messages using a full keyboard for convenience
- Works seamlessly across Windows and macOS
- Video and voice calls support coming soon
System requirements for WhatsApp desktop on Mac
Here are the minimum system requirements to run WhatsApp desktop on Mac:
| Operating System | macOS 10.11 and newer |
| RAM | 2 GB minimum |
| Hard Disk Space | 200 MB free space |
| Processor | Intel or Apple silicon |
| Internet Connection | Broadband connection for phone pairing |
As you can see, the requirements are fairly basic and most modern Macs should be able to run WhatsApp desktop without any issues. The app works on both older Intel-based Macs as well as the new M1 and M2 Apple silicon models.
Tips for using WhatsApp desktop on a Mac
Here are some useful tips to enhance your WhatsApp desktop experience on a Mac:
- Set up your account once using WhatsApp on your phone first before linking to the desktop app.
- Be sure your phone and desktop app are using the same WhatsApp account.
- Your phone needs to remain connected to the internet for notifications to appear on the desktop.
- Use the keyboard shortcuts Cmd+Shift+M (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+M (Windows) to mute conversations.
- Enable Touch ID to add extra security to WhatsApp on your Mac.
- Make audio and video calls directly from the desktop app in future updates.
- Use the search box at the top to quickly find chats, contacts and messages.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp desktop for Mac does not require any special emulation software like Rosetta to run on Apple silicon Macs. It is a native app designed to work seamlessly across both Intel and ARM-based Apple hardware.
The app provides a great desktop messaging experience and syncs smoothly with your phone. It can be installed on any modern Mac running macOS 10.11 or newer. So go ahead and try using WhatsApp on your Mac today!