2mo ago

WhatsApp running through android-translation-layer (no container!) on Linux desktop

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!

You're viewing a single thread.

78 comments

and i cant even get Whatsapp to run because my phones bootloader is unlocked... life is unfair
- why not? i use an unlocked phone and run it just fine
  
  WhatsApp just says i dont have the official version, even tho i got the apk litterally from their own damn website
  
  Apparently some apps ask Google Play if it's an official android OS.
  
  Are you in Brazil?
  
  no, i live in Germany
- Life fair. It's only trying to help you not have to use whatsapp.
  
  yeah you see, the issue is, i need Whatsapp for my family, friends and work. i'd rather not use WhatsApp but i aint got a choice (yet, afaik Whatsapp will be forced to work with other apps)
  
  It sure is a popular app regionally. Lots of people in different countries I know use it interchangeably at this point: when they say text, they mean whatsap. I get it.
  But I will not support Meta, there is a line. I don't need family or friends that cannot use open source alternative. Worse case, I just drop back to sms.
  But work requires it? Or you happen to have work that needs to support many customers? I suppose I could see that, but work would then be a completely separate phone only for that purpose.
  
  you see i am an apprentice so i don't have a work phone yet, but i need Whatsapp to communicate with my superiors and all
  
  Yep, you gotta do what you gotta do. I could never blame anyone for that.
  Then when you are your own boss you can do it your way!
- I use a phone with an unlocked bootloader too, but I only got a warning and pressed ok

78 comments