WhatsApp Launches Desktop Apps for Mac, Windows

HIGHLIGHTS

• The new desktop app works same as the Web client.
• The app runs natively and will support native desktop notifications.
• The desktop app is available to download from the company site.

WhatsApp on Tuesday launched desktop apps for Windows and Mac. The new apps are available for download via the company's site and are compatible with devices running Windows 8 and above, and devices running Mac OS X 10.9 and above.

With the launch of desktop apps, WhatsApp is now available across all popular platforms in app form. WhatsApp's desktop apps have been released almost 14 months after the company launched WhatsApp Web that initially marked the debut of the popular messaging app on non-mobile platforms.

Notably, the WhatsApp desktop apps work similarly to the WhatsApp Web client and the app will mirror conversations and messages from mobile devices.

"Today [Tuesday] we're introducing a desktop app so you have a new way to stay in touch anytime and anywhere - whether on your phone or computer at home or work," said WhatsApp in a blog.

The new desktop apps are synced with WhatsApp on mobile devices, and the app will run natively on the desktop, which means it will have support for native desktop notifications.

The WhatsApp desktop apps, just like the Web client, require users to scan a QR code using the using the WhatsApp app on the smartphone. On the smartphone, users will have to look for WhatsApp Web menu under Settings. Users will have to make sure they are running the latest version of WhatsApp on Android, Windows Phone, or BlackBerry.

Earlier this year, the messaging service WhatsApp announced that it now had 1 billion monthly active users.