Facebook launches WhatsApp desktop app for Windows, Mac

The app allows for native notifications and better keyboard shortcuts

Why Facebook made WhatsApp free
IANS New York
Last Updated : May 11 2016 | 2:17 PM IST

Social media giant Facebook has made available its WhatsApp instant messaging smartphone service on Mac and Windows desktops, media reports said on Wednesday.

"The new desktop app mirrors your mobile device, allowing you to message friends and family while your phone is in your pocket," CNET.com quoted WhatsApp as saying.

Because it runs natively on your desktop as opposed to through an app on your browser, the app allows for native notifications and better keyboard shortcuts, WhatsApp said in a post.

The app runs on Windows 8 and above and Mac OS 10.9 and above. To sync the newly-launched Facebook-owned desktop app with smartphone, open the app and scan the QR code with your phone.

After several months of beta testing, Facebook recently rolled out Facebook and Messenger apps on Windows 10. The company also updated photo-sharing Instagram app for Windows 10 mobile.

Facebook for Windows 10 starts and loads News Feed much faster than previous Facebook desktop applications.

The new app has built-in desktop notifications feature and a user can pin a new Facebook Live Tile that will show the user latest updates from friends, family and Pages.

Meanwhile, the Messenger for Windows 10 has features, including stickers, group conversations and GIFs.

The Messenger for Windows has native desktop notifications and a feature that lets a user see unread messages with a "Live Tile".

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 11 2016 | 1:28 PM IST

Next Story