Meta is transitioning its native WhatsApp Windows application to a web wrapper version, as revealed by the latest beta for Windows, signifying a strategic shift for the communication platform.
The updated WhatsApp beta for Windows incorporates significant changes, moving from a native Windows and WinUI application to a web-based version enclosed within a web view. This alteration impacts the app’s aesthetics, notification behavior, and the simplicity of its settings user interface. Despite these shifts, the beta version introduces WhatsApp Channels and expanded functionalities for Status and Communities features.
Meta is leveraging Microsoft’s Edge WebView2 technology to package its web version of WhatsApp into a desktop application. This approach streamlines maintenance, allowing Meta to manage a single codebase rather than separate native Windows applications. However, this change is expected to be disappointing for regular Windows users, as the web app will no longer seamlessly integrate with Windows 11’s visual design and is anticipated to consume more RAM compared to its native predecessor.
Ironically, WhatsApp previously highlighted the benefits of native applications for both Windows and Mac, stating they “provide increased performance and reliability, more ways to collaborate, and features to improve your productivity.” WhatsApp initially launched as a native Windows app only a few years ago, offering the convenience of operating without direct phone synchronization.
