didn’t even realize it died :/ do you know why?

+1, I wanted to say exactly the same

There is also an extension for this

Whatsapp already uses Signals encryption scheme. Also, Element (the Matrix company) is working with Meta on opening up Whatsapp, with encryption of course: https://matrix.org/blog/2024/09/whatsapp-dma/

It was not great for a long time but improved a lot in 2024

It improved a lot and has a new maintainer, your problems might be solved by now.

They need Google Messages and they need to enable it in the settings.

It uses matrix-rust-sdk (written by Element) and that uses the new vodozemac, so you’re safe

You go to networking jail for that.