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WhatsApp Releases Redesigned Mac App With Support for Group Calls

Meta today released its overhauled WhatsApp app for macOS, introducing support for group calls, dragging and dropping files, and more.

whatsapp video calls mac
The new native Mac app is optimized for large displays and desktop-class experiences like dragging and dropping files into chats and viewing more messages in chat histories. It also touts better performance and supports WhatsApp group calls from macOS for the first time, supporting up to eight people on video calls and up to 32 people on audio calls. Users can join a group call after it has started, see their call history, and choose to receive incoming call notifications even when the app is closed.

The new WhatsApp experience debuted on Windows earlier this year. Following a lengthy beta testing period, the native Mac app is now available to download from whatsapp.com and will soon be released on the Mac App Store.

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Top Rated Comments

38 months ago
On a related point, WhatsApp being absent from the iPad feels like part of technology culture now.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
38 months ago
Where is the iPad App for WhatsApp?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago
While I don't have any intention to use WhatsApp, it's good to see developers realise that native apps are the way to go.

Non-native apps like MS Teams, Slack, Discord, etc, all come with performance and usability costs. Hopefully more devs catch on to this.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago
Awesome. Now can I please please please get an iPad app to match?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago
I never understood why people want to show their faces during a phone call. Most people are not beautiful enough that seeing their face ads any value to a conversation.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago
Almost 3 years after the release of M1, the app is finally Apple silicon native
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)