Hi this is my second day using linux so I am a noob. But when looking for a solution for my question I found this question: Install WhatsApp webapp on Ubuntu the top ranked answer does nothing for me, I just end up with the text copied in a window.
I assume there are some obvious steps which I am missing as someone completely new to linux. I tried saving that file and finding it through terminal but the directory where it's supposedly saved doesn't exist.
It's very simple. Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + alt + t and just type the following command:
sudo snap install whatsapp-for-linux
and then press y when an option is prompted. It will be installed automatically.
For a new user, the easiest solution is to try a an unofficial Snap package.
... or ...
https://snapcraft.io/search?q=whatsapp . Pick one and click "install"
Both options will show the same Snap packages.
gedit /home/$USER/.local/share/applications/whatsapp.desktop #!/usr/bin/env xdg-open
[Desktop Entry]
Name=WhatsApp
GenericName=WhatsApp
Comment=WhatsApp desktop webapp
Exec=/opt/google/chrome/google-chrome --app=https://web.whatsapp.com/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
StartupNotify=true
MimeType=text/plain;
Categories=Network;Application;
Keywords=WhatsApp;webapp;
X-Ubuntu-Gettext-Domain=WhatsApp
StartupWMClass=web.whatsapp.com
nautilus /home/$USER/.local/share/applications
Any errors please let me know.
sudo gedit..., you don't need sudo to create files in your home folder, and also it's a bad idea.
Commented
Jan 13, 2021 at 11:25
Create the file in ~/.local/share/applications, so you don't have to mess with sudo:
Open gedit, paste the text shown in the answer you link, and save as <the name you prefer>.desktop, let's say whataspp.desktop, under the directory mentioned.
In the Exec line, you are telling which web browser to use, using the absolute path to the executable.
As said in the other answer, if you are going to use chrome, or chromium, you have to install it and change the line with the path to the executable. Use which google-chrome (or which chromium-browser) to check the path.
/usr/bin/gnome-www-browser was gnome's browser. I was wrong, it just opens the default, in your case opera. I'll edit the answer accordingly. It would seem that this is a feature of chrome/chromium, I couldn't find the same in firefox or opera yet. The alternative to chrome would be chromium then.
Commented
Jan 13, 2021 at 13:00
You'll first have to install Chrome to do this, because Firefox doesn't natively support installing websites as applications yet. To install Chrome, open a Terminal window and type:
wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
Type in the admin password if asked. Now, open WhatsApp Web in Chrome, and sign in. After signing in, click on the options button in the top right corner, click on "More tools", then click on "Create shortcut...", and click on the checkmark that says: "Open as window", then click on "Create"
Now, open the apps screen or the Activities overview, and type "Whatsapp" in the search bar, then right click on the WA icon, and click on "Add to favourites". Done!
