Meta is planning to drop its native WhatsApp Home windows app in favor of an online wrapper model as an alternative, simply months after introducing a native iPad app. The newest beta model of WhatsApp on Home windows consists of the key modifications, with Meta noting it has “up to date how WhatsApp beta appears to be like and works.”
Behind the scenes it’s a giant change to WhatsApp on Home windows, shifting it from a local Home windows and WinUI app to the WhatsApp net model merely wrapped in an online view. Meaning not solely does the app look completely different, however the way in which notifications work has modified and the settings UI is much extra primary. The beta app additionally consists of WhatsApp Channels and “extra performance” for Standing and Communities options.
Meta is utilizing Microsoft’s Edge WebView2 know-how within the newest WhatsApp beta, permitting it to simply package deal up its net model of WhatsApp right into a desktop app. Windows Latest factors out that this makes it simpler for Meta to take care of a single code base, as an alternative of getting to additionally keep a local Home windows app.
It’s a disappointing change when you’re a every day person of WhatsApp on Home windows, particularly because it means the online app received’t appear like it’s a part of Home windows 11 anymore and can use extra RAM than the native model. Paradoxically, WhatsApp even notes that native variations of its Home windows and Mac apps “present elevated efficiency and reliability, extra methods to collaborate, and options to enhance your productiveness.”