Meta is shifting away from its native WhatsApp app for Windows, opting instead for a web wrapper version in its latest beta release.
This change comes just months after Meta introduced a native WhatsApp app for iPad, highlighting a strategic turn in how the company approaches desktop platforms.
The new beta version of WhatsApp for Windows brings a noticeably different interface and simplified user experience. Meta notes in the update that it has “updated how WhatsApp beta looks and works,” signaling the transition from a native Windows and WinUI app to a web-based app wrapped using Microsoft Edge’s WebView2 technology.
This move allows Meta to streamline development by maintaining a single codebase across platforms. However, the change comes at the cost of performance and deeper Windows integration. Users may notice increased RAM usage and a more basic settings interface. Notifications and other OS-level integrations also behave differently in this new version.
The beta update does bring some enhancements, including support for WhatsApp Channels and expanded functionality for Status and Communities features. However, many power users and long-time WhatsApp desktop users may find the experience less polished compared to the native app.
Ironically, WhatsApp’s documentation has previously highlighted the benefits of native apps, claiming they “provide increased performance and reliability, more ways to collaborate, and features to improve your productivity.”
WhatsApp first launched a native Windows app a few years ago, enabling users to run the app independently of their phones. The shift back to a web wrapper marks a step backward for users seeking a seamless Windows 11 experience.
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As the beta evolves, it remains to be seen whether user feedback will influence Meta’s final decision regarding the future of WhatsApp on Windows.
