Google introduced Allo and Duo as its main messaging and video calling services about a year ago. While Duo became popular right away, Allo was not as successful. There are a few reasons why Allo was unable to live up to expectations at debut. First off, there are already a lot of excellent instant messaging programmes on the market, including Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Additionally, despite the fact that Allo adds a tonne of fantastic new features (such as incognito chat, self-destructive texts, awesome stickers, and more), the app has been held down by the fact that it lacks several fundamental functionality. For instance, Allo didn’t have a desktop client until lately. Technically, there isn’t one right now, but Google has just released a web version of the app that lets you use it on PCs and Macs, much like WhatsApp did in the past.
Even while it isn’t the same as having native desktop software, having something is still preferable to nothing. The web version of the programme will be demonstrated in this article, and while we’re at it, we’ll also offer some advice on how to make the web version into a standalone web app for your desktop. Therefore, read on to learn how to use the Allo app on PC and Mac if you are already a subscriber of the service or if you were considering it but decided against it because there was no desktop version available.
Things to Know Before Using Allo on Web
You could assume that since Allo is an online application and was just published, all you need to access it is a web browser. Even the web app currently has some limitations. Currently, only Android phone owners can access the Allo app’s web version. However, support for iPhones will soon be available. The web application only works with the Chrome browser. If you don’t already have Chrome installed on your computer and you use another browser, click the link to download and install the app. Now that you are aware of these facts, let’s begin the tutorial.
Use Allo on Chrome
There is no use in repeating the instructions since utilising Allo on Chrome will be the same regardless of the OS you are running. Therefore, regardless of whether you use a Mac or Windows, this is how you go.
1. Go to the Allo web app page in the Chrome browser on your PC.
2. Open the Allo application on your Android phone now, then tap the hamburger menu.
Tap the Allo for web option here.
3. Next, point your phone’s camera at the browser tab while hitting the SCAN QR CODE button to scan the QR code there.
Create Allo Web App for Windows
4. After scanning the code, you can immediately access your account and utilise the desktop version of the Allo software.
As I stated in the beginning, in addition to demonstrating how to use the Allo app’s web version, I will also work with you to design a desktop software that can be used independently. I should clarify that it won’t be a native app and will instead only be based on the Chrome browser. However, it will operate in a separate window and feature the Allo app icon as well. That allows us to utilise the Allo app without needing to launch our Chrome browser specifically for its purpose, which is very great.
1. On Windows OS, Chrome inherently enables you to create a windowed app version of any website. First, finish the tutorial’s first section, then log into your Allo account to perform that action for Allo.
2. Go to More tools -> Add to Desktop in Chrome when it is open in the Allo tab by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
3. A popup card will now appear where you may rename the application. Remember to check that the option to open as a window is selected before clicking the Add button.
4. The Allo app icon will appear on your desktop as soon as you click the Add button. Similar to how you would start any other app, you can double-click to launch this one.
5. To make sure it functions, below is a screenshot of the programme running in a different window. As you can see, the Allo app symbol is located next to the Chrome icon.
Create Allo Web App For Mac
6. You can also right-click the icon and choose to add it to the Taskbar or the Start menu for quick access.
Because of its limitations, Chrome doesn’t let you perform the same thing on Mac OS, therefore we’ll need to use a third-party tool. Fortunately, I have the perfect software for that, so let’s get going, shall we?
1. By clicking on the link, download and install the Coherence 5 software (free to create 4 web apps). then start the app. When the app is first launched, it appears like this.
2. Next, complete the necessary fields. The app’s name should go in the name area, and the URL part should contain the internet address for the Allo’s web version. I’ve provided a link to Allo’s website URL here for your convenience. Simply copy it and paste it into the necessary section.
3. To retrieve the Allo app’s icon, click the Get favicon button just before pressing the Next button. On the other hand, if you’d like, you can submit your own logo by choosing it from a file by clicking the browse option.
4. Continue to click the Next button up until you see the screen in the image below. To create your app, select the Standard App icon here. A pop-up card will appear as soon as you click the button, letting you know that your app has been generated.
5. As you can see, the Allo app coexists with various programmes on my Mac. It will simply act like any other app. You can perform a Spotlight search, look for it in the application folder, and so forth. Launch the application as usual.
6. You must log in to the app when you first launch it in order to utilise it. Just use the Allo app to scan the QR code (just like in the Chrome tutorial). On my desktop, the software appears like this.
Use Allo on PC and Mac
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