Messages look and feel
Blue and gray bubbles, tapbacks, read receipts under the last message, and a sidebar that looks like the one you use every day.
Your WhatsApp chats, in a Mac app that feels like Messages.
WhatsRusty is a native macOS client for WhatsApp with the look you already know from iMessage. It links to your phone like WhatsApp Web, starts instantly and stays light.
Apple silicon · macOS 14 or later
Unofficial. WhatsRusty is an independent project, not made by or affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. Third-party clients may violate WhatsApp’s Terms of Service and can get an account banned. Consider a secondary number.
Feels at home on your Mac.
Native and fast
Built in Rust with GPUI, the GPU-accelerated UI framework from Zed. No browser, no Electron.
Your phone stays in charge
Link it once by scanning a QR code under Linked Devices. Messages stay end-to-end encrypted and the session lives only on your Mac.
All your messages
Send text, photos and stickers; reply, react, edit, forward and delete. Photos, videos, voice notes, documents, polls, locations and contact cards show up right in the thread.
Notifications
Native macOS notifications that open the right chat, plus an unread badge on the Dock icon.
Signed and up to date
Notarized by Apple and updated in place through Sparkle with signed updates. Choose Check for Updates… any time.
Link it like WhatsApp Web.
- Open WhatsRusty and wait for the QR code.
- On your phone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device.
- Scan the code. Your chats appear as WhatsRusty syncs.
Your phone lists the Mac as WhatsRusty. Unlink it there, or with Log Out in the app menu, whenever you like.
Questions
What does my Mac need?
An Apple silicon Mac with macOS 14 or later, and WhatsApp on your phone.
Is this the official WhatsApp app?
No. WhatsRusty is an unofficial, independent client built on the open-source whatsapp-rust library. It is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta, and using it may break WhatsApp’s Terms of Service. Use it at your own risk.
Where is my data stored?
On your Mac only, in ~/Library/Application Support/WhatsRusty. There is no WhatsRusty server: the app talks to WhatsApp directly, and only checks whatsrusty.apps.balaj.me for updates.
How do I install and update it?
Download the ZIP, open it and move WhatsRusty to Applications. Updates arrive inside the app and are verified before they install.
Can it open at login?
Yes. Choose Launch at Login in the WhatsRusty menu.
Is it free?
Yes, free and open source. The code is on GitHub.
Say hi from your Mac.
Download for MacApple silicon · macOS 14 or later