Since https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1gdhy7u/experimental_flathub_release_of_newpipe_on_linux/ got a bit of traction yesterday, this is WhatsApp straight from Meta running on Linux desktop using android-translation-layer.

android-translation-layer (ATL) is a Wine-like approach to run Android applications on Linux. Rather than running an Android container like for example Waydroid does this instead implements the Android API. Note that right now it’s very much work in progress and almost no app will work yet, but the fact that they have apps like Newpipe and WhatsApp running already is very promising!

Join the Matrix chat at #android-translation-layer:matrix.org and follow along!

  • @[email protected]English
    16•3 months ago

    I’m curious, doesn’t WhatsApp require a phone number to be attached to an account? As in, I thought activating it doesn’t work on devices without a SIM card?

    • @[email protected]English
      46•3 months ago

      I haven’t used it in a while, but I think it just sends you an SMS with a code that you can enter manually, so yeah it works on devices without a SIM

      • 56!
        16•3 months ago

        Exactly. I created my whatsapp account in waydroid like this.

        • @[email protected]
          13•3 months ago

          …but it can’t run both in your phone and in your computer, right? For that you need the desktop app (which is Windows only) or the web app, which linux apps encapsulate right?

          • 56!
            6•3 months ago

            I’ve never tried having the app on multiple devices - I specifically didn’t want it on my phone - but it’s worth a try. I use whatsapp web in firefox, and only start waydroid when I need to log in again. The third party linux apps just load whatsapp web in electron or something.

          • PureTryOutOP
            5•3 months ago

            You’re right, you can’t run the Android (or iOS app) twice. If you want a second device running WhatsApp you’ll need the web app.

            • @[email protected]
              1•3 months ago

              I think you can link a second Whatsapp app, similar to the web client. your primary one needs a webcam to read the QR code though

          • sag
            2•3 months ago

            In new update you can. Just have to link it.

          • Fonzie!
            2•2 months ago

            You don’t need to install it on your phone, though.