Stop WhatsApp Web from Hijacking Media Controls
Most people use the WhatsApp desktop app, but I prefer WhatsApp Web. It is quicker, more reliable and supports the Business features I need. The only drawback is a familiar one. The moment you play a voice note, WhatsApp grabs macOS’s media controls. Your play and pause keys stop controlling your music and start controlling WhatsApp instead.
After weeks of trial and error, I found a fix that uses Safari itself. No extensions. No utilities. And surprisingly, I could not find this method documented anywhere.
Why WhatsApp Web Causes This Problem
Safari treats any site that plays audio as a “media app”. WhatsApp Web loads audio elements in the background and, once you play a voice note, Safari hands it control of your system media keys. Even after playback stops, the media session lingers, which is why WhatsApp stays in the macOS Media Controls panel.
What Finally Worked
- Open WhatsApp Web in Safari.
- Play any voice note.
- Right-click the tab and select “Mute This Website”.
- While it is still muted, go to Safari → File → Add to Dock.
This creates a Safari Web App with the mute state “locked in”. Because the Web App inherits the exact permissions of the tab at that moment, it launches in a non-persistent audio context.
You can still play voice notes or videos manually, but once playback ends, WhatsApp disappears from Media Controls immediately. It no longer hijacks your system keys.
Why I Prefer This Over the Mac App
The native WhatsApp app feels unfinished for my use. It lacks certain Business features and often behaves inconsistently. WhatsApp Web has always been smoother for me. This workaround finally lets me use it without disturbing whatever music I’m listening to.
If You’re Facing the Same Issue
Try this once. It is a one-minute setup and fixes the problem permanently. And since I’ve found no documentation of this method anywhere, it might help more users who are equally frustrated by WhatsApp’s habit of taking over their Mac’s media controls.
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