Hi everyone, Steve Webkinz here. In case you were unaware, Adobe Flash will no longer be supported by web browsers (like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.) at the end of 2020. This was a big problem for Flash-based games like Webkinz, so in May this year, we announced the release of the Webkinz desktop app!
While the Webkinz desktop app still runs on Flash, it works like its own web browser, running the game on your computer and connecting to your account over the internet.
Unlike the Webkinz mobile app, the desktop app offers ALL of the same features and functions currently on the website. However, whether you use your user name and password to log in through the web, the desktop app, or the mobile app–in all instances–you are connecting to the SAME account.
Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the Webkinz desktop app:
Q: Where do I get the Webkinz desktop app?
A: You can download the Webkinz desktop app directly from Ganz on the Webkinz.com homepage.
Q: What computer do I need to run the Webkinz desktop app?
A: The Webkinz desktop app can be downloaded and run on a desktop of laptop computer running Windows 7, 8, or 10, and on Apple computers running MacOS.
Q: Is the Webkinz desktop app a new version of Webkinz?
A: No. The Webkinz desktop app is only a new “gateway” to access your current Webkinz account. Instead of using a web browser like Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, or Safari to log in, you will instead install the app and then use it to connect over the internet to your Webkinz account.
Q: How come the Webkinz desktop app is saying that I need to install Flash when I already have it on my computer?
A: While you may already have Flash for web browsers installed on your computer, the Webkinz desktop app runs on a different version. Follow the link provided when installing the app to download the correct version of Flash. If you haven’t installed it yet, or if the app keeps prompting you to download it, visit the Adobe Flash Player download site, select your operating system and then select the version for “Opera and Chromium”.
Q: Can the Webkinz desktop app be used on a mobile device like a tablet or phone?
A: No, you will still need the Webkinz mobile app (available for either Android or Apple devices) to access your Webkinz account on mobile devices.
Q: Will the desktop app also be made available for computers running other operating systems, like Chromebook?
A: Unfortunately, our developers have found that the Android operating system on Chromebooks works in a similar way to their mobile platform in preventing Flash-based apps from running. However, we are still pursuing a new technical solution which will potentially make all features in Webkinz available on all platforms.
Q: Will you still be adding new features from Webkinz to the mobile app?
A: Our current focus for the Webkinz mobile app is adding more games to the Arcade and more features to the pet room. That said, the new technical solution mentioned in the previous question could also potentially improve the mobile app.
Q: Will I be able to run multiple accounts at the same time on the same computer using the desktop app?
A: No. The desktop runs a single account in full-screen mode. Also, if you have multiple accounts, you will need to fully quit and close the app before re-opening and logging in again with a different user name in order to receive any log in gifts or prizes for those secondary accounts.
Q: Does the layout for the Webkinz desktop app look the same as the current version of Webkinz.com?
A: The gameplay area screen layout looks exactly the same. The only difference is that it now takes up the full screen, as we have removed the outer frame where we currently display web ads.
Q: Are you going to make a version of the Webkinz desktop app that isn’t full screen so I can access other stuff on my computer while its running?
A: No, the app only works in full screen mode. However, you can still minimize the app, or access your toolbar by using several keyboard shortcuts. Just Google “minimize full screen game” to find instructions for your computer.
Q: Will I still be able to use Webkinz.com, WebkinzNewz.com and GanzeStore.com?
A: Webkinz Newz does not use Flash. The Ganz eStore has some animated item images using Flash files, but those are being updated before the end of 2020. For Webkinz.com, only the game itself runs on Flash. The homepage and its linked pages do not run on Flash, so those parts of Webkinz.com will essentially remain the same.
Q: Does the Webkinz desktop app include Mazin’ Hamsters?
A: No. The desktop app only runs Flash. It cannot run Unity 3D, the programming that was used to create Mazin’ Hamsters.
This has been Steve Webkinz reporting for Webkinz Newz! Do you have any other questions about the Webkinz desktop app? And what would you like me to report on next? Let me know in the comments below.
I am desprate I have written to the support team and never heard back from them!
Very disappointing that the app only runs in full screen. I usually play Webkinz and do other things at the same time. This will certainly cut into the time I will have to play Webkinz. Very disappointing.
don’t forget you can use alt / Tab to see your desktop when using the app. This allows you access to other things while still having webkinz open.
that shouldn’t be the only solution in the year we’re living in. we should be able to see the taskbar at least
Thanks Steve! I’ve been using the desk top app for a while, and sometimes it just locks up/won’t load and you have to go over to web. (I’ve seen others say this, too, so it’s not just my computer.) I hope the programmers are aware of this and it has priority on their LONG list of priorities. Or is there something I can do to make it run better?
i have to say it works pretty good. you don’t have to minimize the dock as much. it runs pretty fast as well. also it does not take up too much space on your hard drive. thank you
Very sad that I won’t be able to have this in the “windows” setting. I definitely won’t be on as often since I need to have other programs up like E-mail, Weather, access to Googling areas. Many of us will Google an item that someone needs that we aren’t familiar with to remind us what the item looks like and the “correct title” of the item. I doubt many of us will log out of the trade room to do that “check” since we have little chance of getting back in the trade room.
Can’t you use your phone or tablet to google while you play?
what if you don’t have either? why should we even have to rely on external resources in the current year anyway?
Will we be able to access Webkinz News and the Ganz estore from the desktop app or will we still need to log in via our browser to view them?
Webkinz Newz and Ganz eStore won’t be part of the desktop app, but will continue to be available through their separate websites.
Arghhhh. So I’m still potentially going to start down the road to losing all my accounts in a year because Android sucks, and from the sound of that closing the app to do another account thing, I not only need some sort of miracle to manage a new computer, I really need some kind of a bigger miracle for one computer for each account. Because, yeah, that happens. sigh. I could have gone all year…so to speak…without this incredibly depressing and disheartening update to ruin my holiday season. Bah Humbugkinz.
omg this is way tooooo much for me — give me my normal computer, stop it with all these options and leave me alone ;)
there is no minimize option in the app as it is, alt tab shouldn’t be a requirement to quit the game while it’s running, plenty of other pc games have a windowed mode at the very least. it’s not the mid-2000s anymore, it’s expected that you have a windowed mode at least, even if just the taskbar had to be visible. The browser version also supports changing resolutions already what with being compatible with multiple types of screens on windows as it is. For ease of use, please reconsider your stance on a windowed mode, alt tab is not wise to lean on in these years.