ZapTide

A native WhatsApp companion for Linux, built with Rust, GTK4 and libadwaita.

Download · User guide · Report a bug

ZapTide links to your phone through whatsapp-rust, without a browser engine. Messages stay in a local, encrypted archive.

Warning

ZapTide is unofficial and is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. Using an unofficial client may violate WhatsApp's terms and put your account at risk.

Features

• Messages, voice notes, polls, stickers and attachments.
• Multiple accounts with separate history and settings.
• Chat search, starred messages and link previews.
• Desktop notifications, synced read status and call history.
• Light, dark and custom themes.

Voice and video calls are experimental. Calls against a phone have not been verified; see call limitations before relying on them. Group calls, status posts, communities and group administration are not supported.

Install

Download a Flatpak or AppImage for x86_64 or aarch64 (ARM64). Native distribution packages are not available.

For Flatpak, configure Flathub, then install the downloaded bundle (replace the filename):

flatpak install --user ./zaptide-vX.Y.Z-x86_64.flatpak
flatpak run dev.luminusos.ZapTide

For AppImage, save the download as zaptide.AppImage:

chmod +x ./zaptide.AppImage
./zaptide.AppImage

Open WhatsApp on your phone and scan the QR code from Linked devices, or link with your phone number. History may take a few minutes to arrive.

Important

Backups need the archive and its keyring credential. archive.db alone cannot be decrypted. Downloads and settings are not encrypted. Read data and backups before moving or deleting files. Disappearing messages remain in the local archive after they expire on your phone.

Documentation

Read the user guide for updates, preferences, media and known limitations. For source builds, dependencies and development checks, see CONTRIBUTING.md and PACKAGING.md. ARCHITECTURE.md describes the code; AGENTS.md sets the rules for coding agents. Report vulnerabilities through SECURITY.md.

ZapTide is a LuminusOS hard fork of ZapFast, distributed under GPL-3.0-or-later. Original code © Carmine Paolino remains covered by its MIT notice.