It’s been almost a year since Google launched Allo and Duo as its primary chat and video calling apps. While the Duo was an instant hit, the same cannot be said for Allo. There are several reasons why Allo failed to meet launch expectations. First, the instant messaging app market is full of really cool apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. While Allo brings a ton of cool new features (like secret chat, self-destructive messages, cool stickers, and more), it also lacks some of the core functions that hold the app back. For example, there was no desktop client for Allo until recently. Technically it doesn’t even exist right now, but Google has released a web version of the app that lets you use it on PC and Mac (just like WhatsApp has done in the past).
While it’s not the same as having native desktop apps, it’s still better than having nothing. In this article, we’ll show you how to use the web version of the app, and at the same time we’ll give you some tips on how to turn the web version into a standalone web app for your desktop. So, if you are an Allo user or someone who does not consider this as there is no desktop version of the application, read the article to learn how to use the Allo application on PC and Mac:
What You Should Know Before Using Allo on the Web
Allo was released as a web app and you might think you only need a web browser to access it, but you would be wrong. At the moment, even the web app comes with certain restrictions. Currently, the web version of the Allo app is only available. accessible if you have an Android phone. However, support for iPhones is coming soon. Also, the web application only supported in Chrome browser. If you are using another browser and you don’t have Chrome on your desktop, go to the link and download and install application. Alright, now that you know about them, let’s get started with the tutorial.
Use Allo in Chrome
There’s no point in showing this twice, as the methodology for using Allo in Chrome will be the same regardless of the OS you’re using. So, whether you’re a Mac or Windows user, this is how you do it.
1. Open the Chrome browser on your desktop and Allo web app page.
2. Now, launch the Allo app on your Android smartphone and tap on the hamburger menu. Tap on the “Allo for the web” option here.
3. Now scan the QR code found in the scanner tab by tapping on it. “SCAN QR CODE” button on your phone and pointing the camera at the scanner.
4. After scanning the code, you will be logged into your account and you will be able to use the Allo application on your desktop.
Build Allo Web App for Windows
As I mentioned in the introduction, I will assist you as well as show you how to use the web version of the Allo app. create a desktop application that will run as a standalone application. Now, I should point out that this will not be a native app and will only use the Chrome browser as a base. But, it will run in its own window and have the application icon of Allo more. It’s pretty cool that we can do this, because it allows us to use the Allo app without having to open our Chrome browser just for the sake of it.
1. Chrome natively allows you to create a windowed app version of any website on Windows OS. To do this for Allo, first complete the first part of the tutorial and sign in to your Allo account.
2. Now, in Chrome ( Allo tab), Click on the 3-dot menu located in the upper right corner of the browser and navigate to: More tools -> Add to Desktop and click on it.
3. Now you will see a popup card where you can rename the app. Before pressing the add button, Remember to make sure the “Open as Window” option is checked..
4. Click the Add button, Allo app icon on your desktop. You can double-click the app to open it, just like any other app.
5. To make sure it works, here is a picture of the application running in a different window. You can see, Next to the Chrome icon is an icon for the Allo app.
6. You can also: Right-click the icon to add it to the Start menu or Taskbar for quick access.
Build Allo Web App for Mac
Chrome doesn’t allow you to do the same on macOS due to its limitations, so we’ll have to use a third-party app to do this. Luckily, I only know the app for this, so let’s get started, shall we?
one. download and install “Harmony 5” app (free to create 4 web apps) by clicking the link. Now start the application. This is how it looks after the app is launched.
2. Now fill in the required fields. The Name section is where the name of the app goes, and The URL part will host the website URL of the web version Allo’s photo. For your convenience, I have linked Allo’s website URL here. Just copy and paste it into the required field.
3. Now, before pressing the Next button, Click “Get favicon” button to get logo of Allo app. Conversely, you can even upload your own logo if you want (by clicking the browse button and selecting the logo file).
4. Now keep clicking the Next button until you see the screen shown in the picture below. Here, Click the “Standard Application” button to create your application. As soon as you click the button, a pop-up card will notify you that your app has been created.
5. Now, as you can see, the Allo app lives with other apps on my Mac. It will act like a normal app. You can search for it in Spotlight, find it in the application folder, etc. Launch the application as you normally would.
6. When you start the application, You will need to log in before using. Scan the QR code with your Allo app (just like in the Chrome tutorial). This is how the app looks on my desktop.
SEE ALSO: Google Allo vs WhatsApp: How New Google Smart Messaging App Paid?
Use Allo on PC and Mac
While the web version of the Allo app isn’t fully functional (as it only works with Chrome and Android), it’s a step in the right direction. Also, until Google launches desktop apps, you can use the methods mentioned above to create one for you. It’s not much different from using WhatsApp on your PC or Mac, as this feels like a port of its own web version. Let us know what you think about the Google Allo app in the comment section below. Also, since it’s now a web version, are you likely to use it more than before? Write your thoughts on the following topic.
