- WhatsApp will stop offering a native app on Windows and return to a web version encapsulated using WebView2.
- The change implies greater RAM consumption, multiple active processes, and less integration with the operating system.
- Meta made this decision to simplify development and maintain a single codebase for all platforms, at the expense of losing efficiency and advanced features on Windows.
- The change is already affecting beta users and is expected to be rolled out to all users soon.
WhatsApp is preparing a crucial change for its Windows users. This will directly affect the daily experience of those using the desktop version. Meta's app has long been available in both native and web-encapsulated formats, but it's now once again opting for the latter.
During the last years, the native application for Windows It had been a notable advance: it allowed for more agile operation, lower resource consumption, and better integration with the operating system. However, Meta has decided to go in the opposite direction and is already beta testing a version that once again relies on the web through WebView2 technology.
The return to a web-based app
The technical change means that, instead of being an application developed specifically for the Windows environment, The new version works as a simple “container” where the WhatsApp website is displayed.This is made possible by WebView2, a Microsoft solution that uses its Edge browser engine (based on Chromium) to display web pages within applications.
On PCs with less memory or limited resources, the impact is notableThe app may require up to 1 GB of RAM if managing many conversations or large files. Early beta users have experienced slowdowns, reduced responsiveness when switching between chats, and occasional unexpected crashes.
Changes in experience and functionality occur
WhatsApp migration involves lose several advanced features that the native client provided. Goodbye to deep integration with Windows, such as logging in via Windows Hello or receiving system-integrated notifications.
The configuration interface will also be more basic, and File system management for sharing documents or images could be affected by relying on the browser instead of the Windows-specific framework.
Users with laptops or modest computers will especially notice the increase in energy consumption and the loss of fluidity, aspects that until now gave WhatsApp an advantage over other messaging apps that already opted for web solutions.
The strategy behind the change
Meta justifies this shift by arguing for reasons of efficiency in development and maintenance. One code for all platforms simplifies your work, makes it easier to incorporate new features simultaneously and reduces costs. While this allows for a consistent experience across different operating systems, it means sacrificing optimization for each.
Interestingly, Meta previously recognized the benefits of native apps—better performance, better integration, and speed—and is now opting for a simpler solution from a technical and economic standpoint. If you'd like more details on how to manage notifications and features in WhatsApp, you can check out Tools to manage functions and notifications in WhatsApp.
Key differences between Electron and WebView2
Some users may think that this change means going back exactly to the starting point, but it should be clarified that WebView2 and Electron are not identicalElectron packages its own full browser within the app, increasing RAM and disk space usage, while WebView2 uses the browser already installed on Windows.
Another important consequence is the proliferation of active processes: While the native app used to run almost entirely under a single process, multiple auxiliary processes (graphics, networking, utilities) are now observed, which can lead to more resource fragmentation and make it difficult to handle errors or crashes.
Timeline and what users should expect
For now, this new version is available only in beta phase, but everything indicates that it will be applied to all platform users in the coming months. Those who continue using the native app from the Microsoft Store can continue using it until the official changes are implemented, at which point they will notice the difference in performance and functionality.
Meta's decision to migrate WhatsApp for Windows to a packaged web app reflects a business strategy that prioritizes simplifying development and maintenance, albeit at the expense of the user experience on the most widely used operating system for personal computers. To learn how to connect WhatsApp to your PC, we recommend reviewing How to connect WhatsApp to your PC step by step.
The change will mean a less agile environment, increased resource consumption, and less refined integration with Windows for millions of users who use WhatsApp on their PCs, changing the way they interact with the service.