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 Mar 3, 2025 6:25 AM

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

View in context

Similar questions

36 replies

Daniel-P

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2025 10:14 AM in response to Nalbantoğlu

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

Feb 24, 2025 3:11 AM in response to Nalbantoğlu

Hi Nalbantoğlu!😊

Is your version in Turkish? It's the onyl difference I noticed.

Maybe that a slightly different version that does NOT force you to upgrade?

MariaPH

Level 1

8 points

Feb 28, 2025 4:37 AM in response to Nalbantoğlu

Hola! Seguí los pasos que indicas, pero al abrirlo me pide actualizar

Mar 3, 2025 2:58 AM in response to MariaPH

Exactly. Nalbantoğlu seems to have a different version.

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

Mar 3, 2025 3:37 PM in response to Daniel-P

as it’s also broken on Monterey, I guess they have raise the minimum requirements without letting us know. Really nice, WhatsApp.

Nalbantoğlu Author

Level 1

12 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.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

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