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, a far nicer experience than a browser tab.
⚡ Key Features of ZapZap
🔔 Tray & Notifications
System tray icon with unread badge and native desktop notifications, so messages reach you without keeping a browser open.
👥 Multiple Accounts
Run several WhatsApp accounts side by side in a single window, each kept in its own isolated session.
🎨 Themes & Appearance
Light, dark and custom themes, with appearance controls that make WhatsApp Web fit your desktop.
✍️ Spell Check
Built-in spell checking across multiple languages while you type your messages.
🖥️ Wayland & X11
Runs natively on modern Wayland sessions as well as X11, with Qt6 desktop integration.
🔒 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.
📦 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 updatesudo apt install extrepo
sudo extrepo enable griffo
sudo apt update🆓 There is an always-free mirror. deb-free.griffo.io serves packages free forever, no account, no subscription, at most 2 months behind upstream, security fixes immediately. It currently carries cliamp, Ghostty, lazydocker, Oh My Posh, Uncloud and Zed; ZapZap is not one of them, so the repository above is the only way to get it today, ask and it can be enrolled.
🧩 About the extrepo option. extrepo is Debian's own tool for external repositories: it writes the sources file and installs the signing key for you, checking the key against signed metadata first. This repository is registered with it as griffo, and the always-free mirror as griffo-free, so on Debian (bookworm, trixie, forky and sid) the commands above are the whole setup.
extrepo sets up the sources file and the key only, so a subscription's credentials still go in /etc/apt/auth.conf.d/deb.griffo.io.conf. Ubuntu is not covered, because extrepo publishes metadata for Debian suites only: there, use the sudo or root commands.
Step 2: Install ZapZap
# Install latest ZapZap
sudo apt install zapzap# Install latest ZapZap
apt install zapzap🎯 Launching ZapZap
From your desktop: open your application menu and start ZapZap: then scan the QR code with your phone (WhatsApp → 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 upgrade🚀 Why Choose deb.griffo.io?
- Official Debian: ZapZap is not packaged, no apt install at all
- Flatpak / Snap: 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
- ✅ Latest Release: Newest ZapZap features and fixes, tracking upstream closely
- ✅ Automatic Updates: Packages updated within hours of upstream releases
- ✅ No Manual Setup: Proper .deb with all Qt6 and WhatsApp dependencies pulled in
- ✅ Proper Integration: Desktop entry, icon, tray and notifications work out of the box
- ✅ Multi-Distribution: Works on Bookworm, Trixie, Forky and Sid
- ✅ Easy Maintenance: Standard apt commands for updates
📦 Package Build Repository
The Debian packages are automatically built and maintained in this GitHub repository:
- 💬 zapzap-debian - Latest release builds
🔗 Related Packages
Also available from deb.griffo.io:
- Ghostty Terminal - Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- Neovim - Hyperextensible text editor
- Termusic - Terminal music player
💝 Support This Project
If this repository saves you time and effort, please consider supporting it!