WhatsApp announced the deprecation of the Electron app for Mac
WhatsApp has announced the deprecation of the Electron-based Desktop application on Mac, prompting users to switch to the Catalyst app to ensure a more optimized experience. This transition aims to enhance performance and integrate better with the latest macOS features.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Deprecation for the WhatsApp Desktop Electron-based app for Mac |
| I've installed the latest update of WhatsApp but I can still use the Electron app. | WhatsApp allows users to continue using the Electron app for a limited time to ensure a smooth transition. |
| Thanks: | Eloy, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.19.4: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to open status updates from the viewer list! |
WhatsApp is deprecating the Electron-based app
Last year, WhatsApp announced the deprecation of the Windows Electron-based app as it fully transitioned to a new native application. The update aims to improve performance by leveraging the native capabilities of operating systems. WhatsApp also released a new beta app for Mac to improve integration with macOS features.
The new Mac app, built using Catalyst to bring the iPad version to macOS, offered improved speed, better system integration, and a more responsive interface. However, they chose to keep the Electron-based app for Mac users available alongside the Catalyst app as the app lacked some features that were still available in the Electron version. After further development and improvements, the Catalyst Mac app has reached a level where it provides a more robust experience. Consequently, WhatsApp is officially announcing the deprecation of the Electron-based app for Mac as well.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, users of the Electron app on Mac are now being notified that this app will no longer be available in 54 days. To maintain access to WhatsApp on a desktop computer, they are encouraged to switch to the new Catalyst app, which will preserve all their chats and contacts. The Catalyst app offers better performance and improved integration with macOS features compared to the Electron-based version. Additional improvements are also expected in the future.
While the Electron framework allows developers to easily create apps that work on multiple operating systems with a single codebase, native apps are more efficient since they are specifically designed for a particular operating system. As a result, WhatsApp chose to build a Catalyst app to ensure their users have the best possible experience over time. After the transition, users will notice significant improvements and stability.
Since the WhatsApp Desktop app for Mac built with the Electron framework will not be available starting in late October, users need to download the Catalyst desktop app for Mac from the official WhatsApp website. However, some features, such as the community tab and channels, may not be available initially. These features will be rolled out in future updates, as WhatsApp continues to enhance and expand the functionality of the app to deliver a better user experience.
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