Meta has initiated a transformation in the way WhatsApp works on Windows, abandoning its native application to make way for a web version encapsulated through WebView2 technology., used by Microsoft Edge. This change, already seen in the beta phase, marks a turning point for those looking for a faster, smoother experience fully adapted to the Microsoft operating system.
The news has generated a notable stir among regular users of the service., especially since it means abandoning the advantages offered by the native app in favor of a cross-platform solution that is easier for Meta to maintain, but with clear negative implications for performance and usability.
What does it mean to move from a native app to a web version?
Moving from an app specifically designed for Windows to a web version packaged in WebView2 means sacrificing many of the optimizations of a native app.The new version of WhatsApp works as if it were the WhatsApp website opened in a window, which leads to increased RAM usage, more background processes, and, consequently, lower overall performance, especially on less powerful computers.
Among the most notable effects of this change, users experience a loss of integration with the operating system.Now, features like Windows Hello login, advanced notifications, and quick file sharing are becoming less effective or disappearing altogether. Laptop battery life is diminished, and the app is slower to open and navigate chats.
Tests carried out in the beta have confirmed that Memory consumption increases by around 30% compared to the native version, and the presence of multiple WebView2-related processes in Task Manager is evident. User complaints on tech forums point to frequent crashes, lags, and even occasional freezes when managing large files or large conversations.
Reasons behind Meta's decision
Meta justifies this move for strategic and technical reasons: centralizing development, reducing costs and facilitating updates.By using the same code base for Windows, Mac, Linux, and the web, the company can release new features simultaneously for all platforms without having to maintain separate applications.
This change helps Meta simplify maintenance, but is a clear step backwards for Windows users., which until now enjoyed a faster application, with lower resource consumption and better integration with the system. The trend, as with other major services, is to prioritize software uniformity and portability over optimization for each operating system.
Main differences compared to the native app
The native version of WhatsApp for Windows, launched in 2022 and based on UWP and WinUI, offered tangible improvements compared to the old Electron-based version.It made the phone's operation independent, used less RAM, and allowed for faster operation, with better notifications and reduced power consumption.
With the arrival of WebView2, The experience is similar to using WhatsApp from the browserAdvanced features such as biometric integration, seamless file drag and drop, video calls for large groups, and complete independence from a mobile phone are lost. Additionally, users notice less interface customization, more basic menus, and a lesser fit with the Windows 11 design.
The new solution incorporates some improvements in channels, communities and states, but fails to make up for the difference in performance or missing features, something especially sensitive for those who use WhatsApp as a desktop work tool.
The new app is currently being tested in the beta channel. All indications are that In the coming weeks, Meta will phase out the native version and leave the packaged web version as the only official option for Windows.Users who are still using the original app will be able to continue using it for a while, but once the general update arrives, the transition will be mandatory.
The recommendation for those who value performance or autonomy in their devices is Keep the Microsoft Store app until it is absolutely necessary to updateFor now, WhatsApp promises to maintain essential features, but more changes aren't ruled out as the transition completes.
Meta is betting on a single code base, reinforcing the trend towards multiplatform applications, even if it involves sacrificing optimization and performance for desktop usersThe user community has expressed its discontent, but it seems the new standard will be to live with a packaged web version, less efficient than the native app that many considered exemplary until recently.
