Desktop changelog
What's new in the desktop app
Release notes for the WACompanion Windows app, most recent first. The Chrome extension keeps its own changelog.
1.0.9
Latest- NewAutomatic updates. WACompanion now checks for a new version about once a day and downloads it quietly in the background. You get a notification when it is ready, and it installs the next time you quit, so there is no need to download and reinstall by hand. Your settings and data are not touched. (This is the last version you need to install manually.)
- FixedThe row of chat tabs along the top could slide over the top of WhatsApp and hide the buttons in the chat header (such as search and the menu). WhatsApp now always sits below the tab row, and the toolbar of an open photo or video (zoom, forward, close) is no longer hidden by it.
1.0.7
- FixedExport backup now asks where to save the file, so you can always find your backup. In 1.0.6 it saved quietly into your downloads folder, which made the button look broken.
- FixedFiles downloaded from inside an open chat are now filed under the chat's name (1.0.6 used the “last seen” line instead).
1.0.6
- NewDownloads folder. Choose where WhatsApp downloads are saved, for example a drive other than C:. Settings > Files > Downloads. Files from Media > Docs are saved into a folder for each chat, with no Save As prompt. A repeated name becomes “name (1)” instead of overwriting. Files are only saved, never opened. If the folder is not available (drive disconnected), the app asks where to save instead of writing to C:. Until you choose a folder, downloads work as before.
- NewOverlay widget: move and resize. Drag the bubbles anywhere on screen. Choose Small, Medium, Large or Extra large. Preview shows the widget for 20 seconds so you can place it, and Reset position puts it back in the corner. (Chats > Bubbles.)
- NewQuick lock button. A red lock at the far right of the ribbon locks WACompanion in one click (Alt+Shift+L still works). With no PIN set, it opens the PIN setup.
- ChangedRibbon reorganised. Tabs are now Home, Messages, Chats, Privacy and Settings. Messages (was Organize) holds Tagged and Tags. Chats (was Alerts) holds New tab, Lists, VIP and Bubbles (was Widget). Privacy holds Blur, PIN lock and Passphrase. Settings holds Auto-start, Keep in tray, Links, Text size, Resync, Downloads, License, Export, Import and Sync.
- ChangedPassphrase has its own key icon, so it no longer looks like PIN lock.
- ChangedThe Speech to text button is blue, matching the Actions button.
- ChangedWhatsApp's “Scroll to bottom” arrow sits a little higher, so Speech to text no longer covers it.
- ChangedThe “Get WhatsApp for Windows” promo at the bottom of the chat list is hidden.
1.0.5
- NewThe floating ribbon. The side rail is replaced by a slim ribbon over the conversation. It takes no space from WhatsApp, turns solid when you point at it, and drops down labelled buttons. The old app menu is on its menu button (or press Alt).
- NewSettings live in the ribbon. Links, License, Tags, Export, Import and Passphrase are ribbon buttons with small panels, instead of a separate Settings window.
- NewOverlay widget. While WhatsApp is minimized or in the tray, small bubbles show your VIP chats and the latest messages from everyone else. Click a bubble to read; click a message to open the chat. Names and text stay hidden while the PIN lock is on.
- NewSpeech to text. A button next to the message box: click, speak, click again, and your words are typed in. It runs on your computer; nothing is uploaded or stored, and you press Send yourself.
- NewThe message you are acting on gets a soft blue outline, and its Actions menu offers the email, phone number or link in that message to copy.
- FixedThe chat tabs strip no longer makes the page jump or covers the bottom of the message box.
- FixedOpening a chat from a list, a tab, search or the widget works again after a WhatsApp change that ignored script-made clicks.
1.0.3
- ChangedAn earlier release, from before the ribbon: WACompanion used the side rail on the left of WhatsApp.