Overview

• The latest WhatsApp for Windows beta replaces the native UWP/WinUI client with a lightweight shell wrapping the web app via Microsoft’s Edge WebView2.
• Independent tests find the WebView2 wrapper uses about 30 percent more RAM than the previous native version.
• Users will encounter a more basic settings interface, altered notification handling and the loss of Windows Fluent Design integration.
• WhatsApp’s own documentation states that native Windows and Mac apps deliver better performance, reliability and collaboration features.
• The shift follows Meta’s pattern of consolidating codebases across devices after its recent native iPad launch and slow Messenger desktop rollout.