How to use WhatsApp on a Mac in 5 ways: Tips for ultimate productivity

You probably use WhatsApp constantly on your phone, but wish you could do more. Today, WhatsApp has over 2.7 billion monthly active users, and it remains the most popular messaging app on the planet.

You might be wondering whether there's actually a WhatsApp Mac app available — it is. I’ll show you how to use WhatsApp for Mac.

Want to stay productive on your Mac? Check out this GPT assistant that suggests the best productivity tool based on your needs.

How to use WhatsApp on a Mac: Multiple solutions

There are a few ways to set up WhatsApp, and I'll show you how each one works so you can pick what suits you best.

Install WhatsApp for Mac via the official website

To install WhatsApp for Mac right now:

1. Go to the WhatsApp official website.

2. Click Download.

3. Open the file from the Downloads folder and move the icon into Applications.

4. Follow the instructions to read the QR code with your smartphone.

5. You're in!

Also, check out how to identify and avoid WhatsApp scams.

Install WhatsApp through the App Store

WhatsApp for Mac is also available in the official App Store, with the installation steps largely the same.

To do so:

1. Go to App Store on your Mac.

2. Search for WhatsApp.

3. Click Get and install as usual.

Use WhatsApp through the browser

If you don't want to install the app, you can use WhatsApp Web, the online version of the app, through your browser. 

To do that: 

1. Go to WhatsApp Web. 

2. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone > Settings.

3. Tap Linked Devices > Link device.

4. Scan the QR code on your Mac screen.

Note: WhatsApp is not as secure as the app itself. Using the online version may lead to data vulnerabilities as well as performance issues (lag or poor syncing). If you still want to use WhatsApp Web, I recommend installing CleaVPN on your iPhone, an intuitive VPN with AES-256 encryption (one of the most secure ones), so you can avoid data loss problems.

Try a better WhatsApp client for Mac

I've found the default WhatsApp desktop client to be somewhat limited compared to its full-featured iOS counterpart.

ChatMate for WhatsApp is a brilliant alternative to the default WhatsApp for Mac app. Similarly limited in adding new users, it compensates well with innovative features like Stealth Mode that protect your privacy.

Briefly, Stealth Mode turns on a transparency layer and makes the app increasingly see-through, which hides your messages from prying eyes. You can also set your messages to only be shown upon a cursor hover. And on top of that, ChatMate for WhatsApp supports Touch ID and can automatically lock the app after a certain time interval.

To get into your WhatsApp account, simply scan the QR code on the app and follow the on-screen instructions. The installation takes seconds.

In addition to valuing your privacy, ChatMate for WhatsApp includes:

• Do Not Disturb mode that mutes notifications when turned on.

• Dark Mode to reduce eye strain, especially if you use the app a lot at night.

Read also:

• Telegram Vs Whatsapp

• Signal Vs Whatsapp

• Busycal: The Best Way to Manage Your Calendars and Reminders

Combine all your messaging services into a single app

Using the WhatsApp Mac app works fine if it's your only messaging service. But in the time when you're getting constantly pinged from the likes of Slack, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Twitter, maintaining separate applications for each service can become a serious drag. That's where IM+ can simplify your messaging workflow.

IM+ is a messaging aggregator that lets you combine around 18 different messaging services — some even more than once — into a single intuitive app. Through IM+, all services still retain their full functionality, with support for messages, images, and videos.

One of the best differentiating IM+ features is the ability to tag services or accounts as Work or Home, and then easily switch between them so that even with all the messaging services in one, you can still maintain your work-life balance.

Bonus tip: Limit social media to boost productivity

A five-minute chat with a friend on Facebook, a quick Skype call with mom, a funny GIF on Slack — they all add up to hours of wasted time every day. If you actually tracked your usage, you might be surprised by just how much time these quick interactions consume throughout your day.

Timing is an automatic time and productivity tracker. It works mostly in the background by observing which apps you use and how much time you spend in them. Timing then prepares daily reports that provide a clear reflection of your day and even gives you a productivity score.

You can fine-tune Timing even further in Preferences. For example, specify what time the day starts and ends, and whether to track productivity on weekends.

Is there an official WhatsApp app for Mac?

Yes, of course, there is. Facebook released the official WhatsApp app for Mac through a web client called WhatsApp Web back in 2016, when the service was already hugely popular worldwide.

In 2023, WhatsApp launched a native Mac app.. The previous app was essentially a web app displayed in a window, while the new version is a native Mac app that introduced several new features, including group video and audio calls.

WhatsApp for Mac: Final words

In the end, if you need to use WhatsApp for Mac as your primary communication tool, download a more flexible ChatMate for WhatsApp client to make your experience better. 

And if you find yourself constantly switching between different messengers, unite them all under IM+ to avoid mental fatigue. 

Finally, keep yourself on a productive track by monitoring how much time you spend on all the social apps through Timing and make sure to course-correct when things get out of hand. And don’t forget to stay secure online with ClearVPN.

The best part is that all the apps I've mentioned, ChatMate, IM+, and Timing, are available to you on a free trial through Setapp, a platform of over 250 useful Mac and iOS apps that strive to improve your Mac experience. Now, that's productivity worth mentioning!