Meta has announced a change in its approach to WhatsApp on Windows — the company is abandoning a native app in favor of a web version. This comes just a few months after launching a native version of WhatsApp for iPad. The latest test build of WhatsApp for Windows has already implemented the new approach, writes The Verge.
WhatsApp on Windows will no longer be a standalone app with support for Windows UI elements. Instead, it will run as a web app wrapped using Microsoft's Edge WebView2 technology. This allows Meta to maintain a single code base and speed up development, but it also has its drawbacks: the new version will consume more RAM, and the interface itself will look less "native" to Windows 11.
The updated beta also includes new features — support for WhatsApp Channels, expanded capabilities for statuses and communities — but overall the app has become simpler, with a stripped-down settings interface and tweaked notifications.
This decision disappointed many users, because until recently, Meta emphasized the advantages of native applications - better performance, stability, and more work opportunities.
By the way, the native version of WhatsApp for Windows only existed for a few years and allowed you to use the messenger without being tied to a smartphone.