What is ZapZap?
ZapZap is an unofficial WhatsApp desktop client for Linux, written in Python with PyQt6 and QtWebEngine. It wraps WhatsApp Web in a proper native-feeling desktop window with system tray integration, desktop notifications, spell check, themes and multi-account support โ a far nicer experience than a browser tab.
โก Key Features of ZapZap
๐ Tray & Notifications
System tray icon with unread badge and native desktop notifications, so messages reach you without keeping a browser open.
๐ฅ Multiple Accounts
Run several WhatsApp accounts side by side in a single window, each kept in its own isolated session.
๐จ Themes & Appearance
Light, dark and custom themes, with appearance controls that make WhatsApp Web fit your desktop.
โ๏ธ Spell Check
Built-in spell checking across multiple languages while you type your messages.
๐ฅ๏ธ Wayland & X11
Runs natively on modern Wayland sessions as well as X11, with Qt6 desktop integration.
๐ Privacy Controls
Tune notification previews, tray behaviour and system integration to match how you want WhatsApp to behave.
apt upgrade keeps you on the latest version.
๐ฆ Installation from deb.griffo.io
Step 1: Add Repository
sudo install -d -m 0755 /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://deb.griffo.io/EA0F721D231FDD3A0A17B9AC7808B4DD62C41256.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor --yes -o /etc/apt/keyrings/deb.griffo.io.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/deb.griffo.io.gpg] https://deb.griffo.io/apt $(lsb_release -sc 2>/dev/null) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/deb.griffo.io.list > /dev/null
sudo apt updateinstall -d -m 0755 /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://deb.griffo.io/EA0F721D231FDD3A0A17B9AC7808B4DD62C41256.asc | gpg --dearmor --yes -o /etc/apt/keyrings/deb.griffo.io.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/deb.griffo.io.gpg] https://deb.griffo.io/apt $(lsb_release -sc 2>/dev/null) main" | tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/deb.griffo.io.list > /dev/null
apt update๐ There is an always-free mirror. deb-free.griffo.io serves packages free forever โ no account, no subscription, at most 2 months behind upstream, security fixes immediately. It currently carries Ghostty, Oh My Posh and Zed; ZapZap is not one of them, so the repository above is the only way to get it today โ ask and it can be enrolled.
Step 2: Install ZapZap
# Install latest ZapZap
sudo apt install zapzap# Install latest ZapZap
apt install zapzap๐ฏ Launching ZapZap
From your desktop: open your application menu and start ZapZap โ then scan the QR code with your phone (WhatsApp โ Linked devices) to connect.
# Or launch it from a terminal
zapzapKeeping it up to date: new releases arrive through the normal system upgrade.
# Update ZapZap along with the rest of the system
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade# Update ZapZap along with the rest of the system
apt update
apt upgrade๐ Why Choose deb.griffo.io?
- Official Ubuntu: ZapZap is not packaged โ no apt install at all
- Snap / Flatpak: Extra runtime, sandbox quirks and larger downloads
- Manual .deb: No automatic updates, easy to fall behind
- deb.griffo.io: Native apt package with automatic updates
- โ Latest Release: Newest ZapZap features and fixes, tracking upstream closely
- โ Automatic Updates: Packages updated within hours of upstream releases
- โ No Manual Setup: Proper .deb with all Qt6 and WhatsApp dependencies pulled in
- โ Proper Integration: Desktop entry, icon, tray and notifications work out of the box
- โ Multi-Distribution: Works on Jammy, Noble, Questing and Resolute
- โ Easy Maintenance: Standard apt commands for updates
๐ฆ Package Build Repository
The Ubuntu packages are automatically built and maintained in this GitHub repository:
- ๐ฌ zapzap-debian - Latest release builds
๐ Related Packages
Also available from deb.griffo.io:
- Ghostty Terminal - Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- Neovim - Hyperextensible text editor
- Termusic - Terminal music player
๐ Support This Project
If this repository saves you time and effort, please consider supporting it!