A few days ago on this blog we’ve talked about some rumours (actually they were more than rumours, since leaked screenshots were posted on Twitter by WABetaInfo) that reported the important development of new native desktop apps for both Mac and Windows. Well, today we are finally able to confirm the news, and it has been WhatsApp itself who officially announced the introduction of these completely new apps through a post on its blog.

That’s what the post says, explaining to WhatsApp users how and why they should use these new apps: “Today 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. Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device. The new desktop app is available for Windows 8+ and Mac OS 10.9+ and is synced with WhatsApp on your mobile device. Because the app runs natively on your desktop, you’ll have support for native desktop notifications, better keyboard shortcuts, and more. To download the app, visit https://www.whatsapp.com/download from your desktop browser. Then, open the app and scan the QR code using the WhatsApp app on your phone (look for WhatsApp Web menu under Settings). Just like WhatsApp Web, the new desktop app lets you message with friends and family while your phone stays in your pocket.”

Even if you still need to scan a QR Code using the WhatsApp mobile app, as you usually did in order to use WhatsApp Web, it really seems that this new app it’s much easier and faster to install. This new tool, already available on Facebook Messenger, will further help WhatsApp to maintain its leading role in the instant messaging world, that’s for sure. And probably in a few months the current 1 billion monthly active users will be much more.