# zapfast: Use WhatsApp in a Native Desktop App

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ZapFast is a Rust desktop client for WhatsApp on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It links to a phone as a companion device and avoids a browser engine, making it an option for people who want a lighter desktop messaging app.

GitHub: https://github.com/crmne/zapfast
OSRepos URL: https://osrepos.com/repo/crmne-zapfast

## Summary

ZapFast is a Rust desktop client for WhatsApp on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It links to a phone as a companion device and avoids a browser engine, making it an option for people who want a lighter desktop messaging app.

## Topics

- rust
- desktop-app
- cross-platform
- whatsapp-client
- messaging

## Repository Information

Last analyzed by OSRepos: Mon Oct 05 2026 09:44:18 GMT+0100 (Western European Summer Time)
Detail views: 10
GitHub clicks: 3

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## Content

## Overview

ZapFast provides a native desktop interface for WhatsApp, built with Rust and egui. It connects to WhatsApp through a linked phone rather than running WhatsApp Web inside a browser engine.

It may suit people who want a dedicated messaging app across Linux, macOS, or Windows, particularly if they prefer a native client to a browser-based one. It is an unofficial WhatsApp client, so users should consider the account and service risks before linking a phone.

## Key Features

- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Uses Rust and egui, with the `whatsapp-rust` library.
- Links to a phone as a WhatsApp companion device.
- Runs without a browser engine.
- Includes a demo mode with sample chats that does not require a WhatsApp connection.
- Provides installers, AppImages, and archives through its releases, with additional package installation options.
- Supports features such as stickers, polls, shortcuts, reactions, voice messages, and link previews, as described in the project materials.

## Use Cases

- WhatsApp users who want a dedicated desktop app instead of keeping the web client open in a browser.
- Linux users looking for a native WhatsApp client, including people who install software through Arch packages or Nix.
- Users on macOS or Windows who want to link their phone to a separate desktop client.
- Contributors who want to explore the interface or make changes using the offline demo mode.

## Project Facts

- Language: Rust
- License: MIT
- Stars: 1.5k
- Forks: 151
- Topics: chat, desktop-app, egui, linux, macos, messaging, rust, whatsapp, whatsapp-client, windows
- Archived: No

## Getting Started

For macOS, install with Homebrew:

```sh
brew install --cask crmne/tap/zapfast
```

See the [README](https://github.com/crmne/zapfast) for other installation options and instructions for building from source.

## Alternatives

- [simplex-chat](https://osrepos.com/repo/simplex-chat-simplex-chat): SimpleX is an independent end-to-end encrypted messaging network, while ZapFast connects to an existing WhatsApp account as a companion device.

## Considerations

- ZapFast is unofficial and is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. The project warns that using an unofficial client may violate WhatsApp's terms and could result in account suspension.
- The client links to a phone as a companion device, so it is not presented as a standalone WhatsApp service.
- The README describes a demo mode, but it uses sample chats and does not connect to WhatsApp.
- The repository lists 104 open issues. This is a point to consider when assessing project maturity, but does not by itself indicate their severity or status.