WhatsApp’s latest beta for Windows reveals a significant change: the native app is being replaced by a web-based version. This move, coming just months after the release of a native iPad app, has left many users scratching their heads. The new version, essentially a web wrapper utilizing Microsoft’s Edge WebView2 technology, promises easier maintenance for Meta by consolidating codebases. However, this convenience comes at a cost to the user experience.
The shift results in a noticeable visual change; the app no longer integrates seamlessly with Windows 11’s design language. Furthermore, reports indicate a decline in performance, with the web wrapper consuming more RAM than its native predecessor. This is especially disappointing considering WhatsApp’s own documentation highlights the superior performance and reliability of native apps, emphasizing features designed to enhance productivity.
The implications extend beyond aesthetics. The way notifications are handled and the overall settings UI have been simplified, resulting in a less polished and potentially less efficient experience. While the beta includes new features like WhatsApp Channels and enhanced functionalities for Status and Communities, these additions don’t fully compensate for the perceived downgrade in core app functionality.
This change is particularly jarring given WhatsApp’s relatively recent launch of its native Windows app, which allowed users to run the app independently of their phones. Now, that progress seems to be reversed, leaving users with a less integrated and potentially less resource-efficient experience. The question remains: was the trade-off of a simplified development process worth sacrificing the user experience?
