Meta has made a controversial change to the WhatsApp app for Windows, sparking criticism from beta testers and power users alike. In its latest update to the WhatsApp beta for Windows, the messaging platform has officially moved away from Microsoft’s native Windows framework (WinUI) in favor of a web-based version of the app — effectively turning it into a wrapper for the WhatsApp Web client.
A Step Backward from Native Performance
Originally launched as a native desktop app, WhatsApp for Windows was developed to take advantage of the Windows operating system’s features — offering better performance, enhanced reliability, seamless multitasking, and improved productivity tools. However, Meta’s latest update discards these native elements in exchange for an Edge WebView2-based app, essentially a browser window masked as an application.
While the front-end interface may look similar at first glance, users quickly notice limitations. The new web-based version reduces access to critical settings and customization options. The overall experience feels watered down, clunkier, and slower — a notable step back for those who valued the performance and resource efficiency of the native app.
More RAM Usage, Fewer Features
One of the main complaints from Windows beta users is the increased RAM consumption and battery drain, especially on devices with modest hardware. Running WhatsApp via the WebView2 framework doesn’t just tax system resources — it also results in performance issues like laggy UI and occasional freezes.
In addition, users are reporting stripped-down settings pages with fewer controls. Some advanced options have vanished, limiting the level of customization users once enjoyed in the native app.
What’s New: WhatsApp Channels and Communities
While the overall shift has disappointed many, the update does bring a few additions — such as native support for WhatsApp Channels, along with better handling of Status and Community features. Still, these enhancements are being overshadowed by the backlash over the degraded user experience.
Why the Change?
Although it may appear user-unfriendly, Meta likely made the switch for developer convenience. By adopting a web-based architecture, the company only needs to maintain a single codebase across platforms, reducing complexity and improving release cycles. However, this cost-saving move comes at the expense of user satisfaction and app performance on Windows.
Meta’s decision to abandon the native Windows app in favor of a Chromium-based wrapper has not gone down well with the community. While it may streamline development, the switch strips away the benefits users once enjoyed — smooth performance, efficient resource usage, and deep integration with Windows. Unless Meta addresses these concerns quickly, it risks alienating a significant part of its desktop user base.
For now, power users may either have to roll back to an older version (if still accessible) or live with the stripped-down, more resource-hungry web-style app — an ironic fate for what was once one of the most reliable desktop messaging platforms.