When WhatsApp is missing from System Settings > Notifications & Focus on macOS, it usually happens because the app failed to register its bundle ID with the macOS Notification Center or the permission database is stuck.
Steps to Fix WhatsApp Notifications on Mac
Switch to the Official Mac App Store Version
If you downloaded the direct/standalone installer from WhatsApp's website, it can sometimes run into signing or sandboxing issues with macOS notifications.
- Uninstall your current WhatsApp app completely.
- Open the Mac App Store and download the native WhatsApp Desktop app directly from there.
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997
- Open the App Store version, log in, and trigger an incoming message to force macOS to register the app in System Settings > Notifications.
Force Register or Clear the Notification Database
If the app is still missing from the list, resetting the local macOS notification preference cache can force apps to re-register:
- Quit WhatsApp.
- Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities).
- Run the following command to restart the notification center service:
killall usernoted
- Reopen WhatsApp and ask someone to send you a message to trigger the macOS notification prompt.
Check Where WhatsApp is Installed
- Ensure WhatsApp is actually living inside your main /Applications folder and not sitting in your Downloads folder or running as a temporary unpacked instance.
- Drag it directly into /Applications, launch it from there, and check System Settings > Notifications again.
Reset WhatsApp In-App Notification Settings
- Open WhatsApp on your Mac.
- Go to Settings (gear icon in the bottom-left corner).
- Click on Notifications.
- Click Reset notification settings > Reset, then toggle message/banner previews back on
Also, note that the current version of macOS Tahoe is 26.7.2. Based on your post you are running an older version.
See: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support
