Level 1

11 points

Mac OS Big Sur 11.7.10 with WhatsApp Desktop 2.25.1.83 problem. Application failed to start "4" error

Hello everyone,

Today I updated the latest version of Whatsapp (2.25.1.83) from the AppStore on my Mac OS Big Sur 11.7.10 computer. However, after the update, it started giving the error "Whatsapp.app cannot be opened (4)" again.

I deleted and reinstalled it, but it gave the same error again. I deleted Whatsapp. I found the previous version as a .dmg and when I installed it (2.24.25.94), the problem was solved. However, this version will become unusable in a few days.

Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Is Whatsapp having a problem with Big Sur?

iMac 27″

Posted on Feb 6, 2025 10:35 AM

Top-ranking reply

Daniel-P

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Feb 23, 2025 10:14 AM

I'm not responsible if you break or damage your macOS installation or machine. This is for "advanced"users.

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Feb 15, 2025 7:47 AM in response to Nalbantoğlu

I had the same problem with 25.2.83 but on my iPhone. As soon as I updated WhatsApp it started crashing on opening. I suspect the issue might have something to do with iCloud, as what finally fixed it was disabling whatapp in “sync to iCloud”. (After 3 days of trying everything under the sun)

Nalbantoğlu Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 19, 2025 11:09 AM in response to Nalbantoğlu

Best solution:

Download the Native version (not .dmg; native version for osx in .zip) in Whatsapp website of 24.25.94 version and install it from here. Other AppStore or old .dmg version also fails to open. This is not the case in the native version. Probably updates components unintentionally. It works and there is no need to update. It works without any problems. Close the updates and make Whatsapp.app Locked from Finder. You can continue to use the Whatsapp application without any problems until the problem is solved. Tried in both Big Sur/Monterey.

I think the problem in the new version is probably caused by an instruction set that is not available in older generation Intel CPUs. They may have done something like this without thinking about backward compatibility or by overlooking it in order to make the application faster.

The solution I mentioned is the most successful way until it is solved.

Nalbantoğlu Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 19, 2025 11:20 AM in response to Daniel-P

First, delete WhatsApp using AppCleaner or a similar application. Delete your Mac in your phone whatsapp logged devices.

After, Download Whatsapp native for osx 24.25.94. Be careful, it will be in .zip format, not .dmg. You will download it from Whatsapp's website. You can find the link by searching on Google, it does not allow us to write here.

After putting the .App file in the Applications folder, right click on Whatsapp without opening it and check the "Locked" box.

Then open it, scan the QR code, skip the incoming update message box by clicking skip this version.

It still works like this for me right now.

Feb 19, 2025 1:01 PM in response to Daniel-P

Exactly. No choice.

It's annoying that some people are suggesting to dowload old versions, when they ALL force you to update.

WhatsApp is a turd. So buggy under normal circumstances. I regularly have to reconnect to my phone.

Feb 19, 2025 2:00 PM in response to Nalbantoğlu

If it works for you that's great, Nalbantoğlu. But it seems you are the only one to get it to work.

The rest of us are forced to update. So frustrating. I have also tried 2.24.25.94 with the same result.

Feb 20, 2025 10:05 AM in response to Daniel-P

Nalbantoğlu's version is in Turkish. I guess we are all downloading the english version? It's the only difference I can see. Or is that just a setting?

Nalbantoğlu, you might want to hide your Serial Number in your screen shots.😉

Nalbantoğlu Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 20, 2025 11:19 AM in response to Simon Beer1

There is no package by language, there is only one package, the language changes according to the system language. Or it can also be changed from within the application.

Did you see the last image with the link I shared? Would you try it?

Nalbantoğlu Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 23, 2025 9:25 AM in response to Simon Beer1

Today, unfortunately, my Whatsapp is gone. It forced me to update it.

I wrote a status to Whatsapp twice on Twitter. They updated the new version, but unfortunately it doesn't work either.

My processor supports SSE 4.1, 4.2 and AVX. I don't think they will use another instruction set. Let's see how this problem is resolved.

They probably won't fix the problem.

Daniel-P

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2025 6:25 AM in response to Simon Beer1

Simon Beer1 wrote:

Exactly. Nalbantoğlu seems to have a different version.

For the rest of us, we are FORCED to update. 😭

We were all forced to update, even him didn't escaped from that as he said on a post. The only solution at the moment is using the OpcodeEmulator kernel extension (at your own risk), so far it's working fine for me, at least until WhatsApp stops working on Big Sur in May 5th.The other solution is switching to WhatsApp Web or, of course, buying a newer Mac lol