WhatsApp desktop in Opera not playing videos or offering download

Using Ubuntu 21.04, GNOME 3.38.5 I am new to Linux. I have the WhatsApp desktop messenger feature enabled in Opera web browser. (I used this arrangement under MS Win10 with no problem.) The videos will not play ("The video can't be payed") and the download video option is greyed-out. I have followed the instructions here (the answers seem old- 2015 - but they are the same on linuxhint.com) to download and install codecs : $ sudo apt update : $ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras Still no joy :-(

Solution 1:

The Whatsdesk App downloadable from the ubuntu software center works well with ubuntu and usually overcomes the many issues with the substantive WhatsApp utility which many have reported as being problematical.