WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion active users. While WhatsApp’s official desktop app only supports Windows and macOS, Linux users don’t have to miss out on using WhatsApp on their desktops. There are a few different methods to install and run WhatsApp on Ubuntu or other Linux distributions. This comprehensive guide will walk through the requirements, pros and cons, and steps to get WhatsApp working on Linux.
Requirements
Before installing WhatsApp on Linux, you need to ensure your system meets the minimum requirements:
- An Ubuntu 18.04 or higher version
- Active internet connection
- Valid phone number with WhatsApp account
- WhatsApp app installed on your phone
WhatsApp no longer supports Ubuntu 14.04 or 16.04, so you need to have a recent Ubuntu version. You’ll also need mobile WhatsApp installed and activated on your phone number, as WhatsApp ties the desktop app to your mobile account.
Methods to Install WhatsApp on Linux
There are a few main methods to install WhatsApp on Linux distributions like Ubuntu:
1. WhatsApp Web
The official WhatsApp Web client runs in any browser on Linux to mirror your mobile chat sessions.
2. WhatsApp Desktop App with Wine
The Windows desktop app can be installed using Wine to run natively on Linux.
3. Nativefier App
Nativefier wraps WhatsApp Web in an Electron app that runs natively on Linux.
4. Official WhatsApp .deb Package (Discontinued)
WhatsApp previously offered an official native .deb package for Ubuntu, but this has been discontinued.
Let’s explore each method in more detail.
WhatsApp Web
The easiest way to use WhatsApp on Linux is to access WhatsApp Web from your browser:
- Open https://web.whatsapp.com in your Linux web browser
- On your phone, open WhatsApp and tap Menu > WhatsApp Web
- Scan the QR code on your Linux browser using your phone’s camera
This will link your browser to your WhatsApp account on mobile. WhatsApp Web has the advantage of being completely official and supported by WhatsApp. However, there are some disadvantages:
- Requires your phone to stay connected to the internet
- Desktop notifications don’t work
- No native desktop integration or shortcuts
- Feature gaps compared to mobile and desktop apps
- Tab must stay open in browser
Overall, WhatsApp Web is a quick, easy way to access your chats on Linux. But the lack of notifications, app integration, and dependence on your phone make it less than ideal for constant desktop usage.
WhatsApp Desktop App with Wine
Another popular option is to install the official Windows WhatsApp desktop app on Linux using Wine. Here are the steps:
- Install Wine on your system if you don’t already have it
- Download the WhatsApp desktop installer .exe file from https://www.whatsapp.com/download
- Right click on the .exe file and select “Open with Wine Windows Program Loader”
- Follow the installation prompts to install WhatsApp
- Launch WhatsApp and scan the QR code with your phone to link accounts
This provides a much more native desktop experience than WhatsApp Web. You’ll get desktop notifications, better keyboard shortcuts, and the ability to run in the background without a browser tab open.
However, there are still disadvantages:
- Requires Wine compatibility layer
- May have minor issues or glitches
- Updates might break compatibility until Wine catches up
Running Windows apps on Wine can sometimes lead to issues. Overall though, the WhatsApp Windows desktop app on Wine provides one of the best native Linux experiences.
Nativefier App
Nativefier is an open source tool that wraps web apps like WhatsApp Web into a native desktop app using Electron. Here’s how to install it:
- Install Nativefier with NPM:
npm install nativefier -g - Run:
nativefier web.whatsapp.com - A WhatsApp.app will be created on your Linux desktop
- Launch the app and scan the QR code to connect
The Nativefier WhatsApp app provides Ubuntu desktop integration and notifications like a native app. Advantages include:
- No Wine compatibility needed
- Actively maintained and updated
- Free and open source
However, there are still disadvantages:
- Electron apps are relatively resource heavy
- Requires your phone
- Isn’t officially supported by WhatsApp
But overall, Nativefier provides one of the best Ubuntu experiences for power users who want deep WhatsApp integration.
Official WhatsApp .deb Package (Discontinued)
Previously, WhatsApp offered an official native Linux app packaged as a .deb file. However, this app has been discontinued and pulled by WhatsApp. The .deb package no longer works on recent Ubuntu versions. While some guides may recommend trying to install old copies of this .deb, it’s no longer supported and could have security issues. It’s recommended to use one of the other modern methods going forward.
Comparison of WhatsApp Installation Methods
Here is a comparison of the key pros and cons of each WhatsApp installation method on Linux:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Web |
|
|
| WhatsApp Windows App + Wine |
|
|
| Nativefier App |
|
|
As you can see, each option has tradeoffs and no solution provides a perfect WhatsApp experience on Linux yet. You’ll need to evaluate the pros and cons of each option for your needs.
Installing WhatsApp on Ubuntu Step-by-Step
Now let’s walk through installing WhatsApp on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS step-by-step using the Nativefier method, since it provides the best blend of desktop integration while avoiding Wine.
Step 1 – Install Prerequisites
Open your Linux terminal and install Nativefier and its prerequisites with NPM:
sudo apt update sudo apt install nodejs npm sudo npm install nativefier -g
Step 2 – Create App
Run the Nativefier command to generate the WhatsApp Linux app:
nativefier --name "WhatsApp" web.whatsapp.com
This will create a WhatsApp desktop app in your current directory.
Step 3 – Launch WhatsApp
You can now launch WhatsApp via the command line:
Or find WhatsApp in your app launcher and launch it.
Step 4 – Link to Mobile
Scan the QR code shown on your Linux WhatsApp app with your phone’s camera to link it to your mobile account.
Step 5 – Add to Startup
To make WhatsApp launch on login, add it to your Startup Applications:
- Go to Startup Applications preference
- Click Add
- Browse to the WhatsApp app executable
- Name it “WhatsApp” and save
Now WhatsApp will automatically launch when you log into Ubuntu!
Uninstalling WhatsApp on Linux
To uninstall WhatsApp installed via Nativefier, Wine, or other methods, you simply need to delete the WhatsApp folder/executable that was created.
- For Nativefier, delete the generated WhatsApp folder
- For Wine, run
wine uninstallerand uninstall WhatsApp like any Windows app - Remove any WhatsApp startup entry you created
This will cleanly remove WhatsApp from your system. Your WhatsApp account and data will remain safely on your mobile device.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp on Linux
Here are some common issues and fixes when running WhatsApp on Linux:
Can’t Scan QR Code
– Check app has permission to use your camera
– Try manually entering the code displayed on your Linux WhatsApp
– Restart the Linux app and try scanning again
App Crashes or Doesn’t Open
– For Nativefier, reinstall with latest Nativefier version
– For Wine, restart Wine and reinstall latest WhatsApp
– Check for Linux graphics driver issues
Notifications Not Working
– Ensure notifications are enabled for the app in System Settings
– Check Do Not Disturb is not blocking notifications
– Restart Linux and check again
WhatsApp Looks Weird or Has Display Issues
– Try different Wine versions if using Wine
– Install graphics drivers for your GPU
– Disable any incompatible desktop effects/themes
Can’t Message or Call
– Verify your phone has an internet connection
– Re-scan the QR code to re-link your Linux client
– Restart your phone and Linux device
Conclusion
While officially supporting Linux desktops would be ideal, WhatsApp provides Linux users with a few good workarounds to access messaging. The Nativefier app method delivers the best blend of desktop integration while avoiding Wine compatibility issues. With a few simple steps, Linux users can install WhatsApp and stay in touch with friends and family from the comfort of their desktops. The application works well for basic chatting, though more advanced features like voice/video calling may be inconsistent. Overall, Nativefier combined with WhatsApp Web provides a relatively seamless messaging experience on Linux distributions.