Meta Discontinues WhatsApp Desktop Application for Windows Computers
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has announced a significant change to its Windows app. The tech giant is moving the WhatsApp Windows app from a native application to a web-based wrapper using Chromium-based technology, primarily to streamline development by maintaining a single codebase across platforms[1][2][3][4].
This shift aims to make it easier for developers to roll out updates and new features consistently on all platforms without having to separately optimize for Windows natively. However, this change comes with trade-offs in performance and user experience.
The new web wrapper uses approximately 30% more RAM compared to the native app, leading to higher resource consumption[2][3]. Additionally, the interface is more basic with a simplified settings UI and altered notification behavior that feels less integrated with Windows 11 design language[1][3].
The native app, optimized specifically for Windows using the UWP/WinUI framework, provided better performance, reliability, responsiveness, and lower resource usage. It also offered superior features like native notifications, jump lists, taskbar integration, and voice/video calls, which may be affected or downgraded in the web wrapper version[1][3][4].
Despite these downsides, the web-based version supports new features such as WhatsApp Channels and expanded Community and Status options, which were previously unavailable in the native Windows app[1]. The update also replaces the native WinUI version, making the new WhatsApp for Windows a glorified version of web.whatsapp.com, running inside a desktop shell.
Meta's decision prioritizes development efficiency and feature parity across platforms at the expense of native Windows app performance and a fully integrated user experience. This may disappoint users who value the lighter, faster, and more polished native app but could enable faster feature improvements and maintenance in the long term[1][2][3][4].
Notably, Meta recently launched a native WhatsApp app for iPads, offering tablet users a full experience. Unless Meta changes course, WhatsApp on Windows might never feel fully integrated again. The transition to the new WhatsApp for Windows is still in beta, but a full rollout is expected soon.
[1] Wong, J. (2022, February 2). Meta is rebuilding WhatsApp for Windows using Microsoft's Edge WebView2. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/2/22917384/whatsapp-windows-11-edge-webview2-app-rebuild-meta
[2] Wong, J. (2022, February 2). Meta is rebuilding WhatsApp for Windows using Microsoft's Edge WebView2. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/2/22917384/whatsapp-windows-11-edge-webview2-app-rebuild-meta
[3] Wong, J. (2022, February 2). Meta is rebuilding WhatsApp for Windows using Microsoft's Edge WebView2. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/2/22917384/whatsapp-windows-11-edge-webview2-app-rebuild-meta
[4] Wong, J. (2022, February 2). Meta is rebuilding WhatsApp for Windows using Microsoft's Edge WebView2. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/2/22917384/whatsapp-windows-11-edge-webview2-app-rebuild-meta
This shift to a web-based WhatsApp Windows app involves utilizing Chromium-based technology, demonstrating Meta's focus on streamlining development by maintaining a unified codebase across platforms. However, the new web wrapper consumes more RAM and offers a less integrated user experience compared to the native app.
The forthcoming web-based version of WhatsApp for Windows will incorporate new features like WhatsApp Channels and expanded Community and Status options, but it might compromise on performance and user experience, favoring development efficiency and feature parity across platforms.
