After purchasing my M4 Mac mini in 2024 to keep a finger on the pulse of macOS, I installed a number of apps, including WhatsApp.
Here’s my setup:
I’m using the base model M4 Mac mini, fully up to date with the latest version of macOS. It sits on a Satechi Stand & Hub for the extra ports and built-in SSD. I use it with a Logitech MX Keys wireless keyboard, and I don’t have a monitor connected—only a pair of Bose Companion 2 speakers for audio.
Every so often, when opening WhatsApp on the Mac, I’m told that an error has occurred and that I need to sign out and back in again to resolve it. Once signed out, I’m required to re-link WhatsApp by scanning the QR code.
Because I normally don’t have a display connected, I ended up purchasing a small 7-inch monitor that I occasionally plug in solely so I can scan the QR code using WhatsApp on my iPhone. I’ve had to do this several times over the past year, and I can’t figure out why the app keeps signing me out.
At one point, I tried opening WhatsApp every time the Mac booted, thinking that keeping it active might help maintain the connection. While this sometimes worked, it didn’t prevent the issue from returning.
I’ve started wondering whether the lack of a permanently connected monitor could be the cause—perhaps WhatsApp expects a display to be present in order to remain connected. If that’s the case, it seems a bit odd, but it’s the only explanation I can come up with so far.
Before going as far as permanently mounting a small monitor just to deal with this, I wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced similar behavior with WhatsApp on macOS, particularly on a Mac mini running headless, or if anyone has other thoughts on what might be causing this.
Any insight would be appreciated.