How to get whatsapp as a desktop app on Ubuntu?

Question

Hi this is my second day using linux so I am a noob. But when looking for a solution for my question I found this question: Install WhatsApp webapp on Ubuntu the top ranked answer does nothing for me, I just end up with the text copied in a window.

I assume there are some obvious steps which I am missing as someone completely new to linux. I tried saving that file and finding it through terminal but the directory where it's supposedly saved doesn't exist.

Answer 1

1. Make sure you have Google Chrome, if not, then install it.
2. Open terminal
3. Run gedit /home/$USER/.local/share/applications/whatsapp.desktop
4. Once the text editor opens paste this code in it. Save it and exit.

    #!/usr/bin/env xdg-open
    [Desktop Entry]
    Name=WhatsApp
    GenericName=WhatsApp
    Comment=WhatsApp desktop webapp
    Exec=/opt/google/chrome/google-chrome --app=https://web.whatsapp.com/
    Terminal=false
    Type=Application
    StartupNotify=true
    MimeType=text/plain;
    Categories=Network;Application;
    Keywords=WhatsApp;webapp;
    X-Ubuntu-Gettext-Domain=WhatsApp
    StartupWMClass=web.whatsapp.com

5. Now you can find whatsapp through the Activities menu, if not then run

    nautilus /home/$USER/.local/share/applications  

6. Right click whatsapp.desktop,in properties ensure "Allow to run as program" is checked. Then open it, select "Trust and Launch".

Any errors please let me know.

Answer 2

It's very simple. Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + alt + t and just type the following command:

sudo snap install whatsapp-for-linux

and then press y when an option is prompted. It will be installed automatically.

Answer 3

For a new user, the easiest solution is to try a an unofficial Snap package.

1. Open your Ubuntu Software application.
2. Search for WhatsApp.

... or ...

https://snapcraft.io/search?q=whatsapp . Pick one and click "install"

Both options will show the same Snap packages.

Answer 4

You'll first have to install Chrome to do this, because Firefox doesn't natively support installing websites as applications yet. To install Chrome, open a Terminal window and type:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Type in the admin password if asked. Now, open WhatsApp Web in Chrome, and sign in. After signing in, click on the options button in the top right corner, click on "More tools", then click on "Create shortcut...", and click on the checkmark that says: "Open as window", then click on "Create"

Now, open the apps screen or the Activities overview, and type "Whatsapp" in the search bar, then right click on the WA icon, and click on "Add to favourites". Done!

Answer 5

Create the file in ~/.local/share/applications, so you don't have to mess with sudo:

1. Open gedit, paste the text shown in the answer you link, and save as <the name you prefer>.desktop, let's say whataspp.desktop, under the directory mentioned.

2. In the Exec line, you are telling which web browser to use, using the absolute path to the executable.

As said in the other answer, if you are going to use chrome, or chromium, you have to install it and change the line with the path to the executable. Use which google-chrome (or which chromium-browser) to check the path.

Answer 6

I found out this question from some years ago. Now there is a easier way to do it.

1. First install Chrome by the method or option that you prefer. Here's a link for with suggestions for the current stable 24.04

2. With Chrome installed go to the WhatsApp webpage, login with your phone and QR.

3. In that tab, just go to Chrome's option menu on the right corner (the three vertical dots), then click on "Cast, save, and share" and click on install WhatsApp web. Now there is no need to the create shortcut and set the way to open it as a window.

Disclaimer: In the image I've shared, it says Open in WhatsApp Web, but if you didn't install it yet, it will say Install WhatsApp.