Muscat: Meta is planning to stop the native WhatsApp application for Windows and replace it with a web-based version, just months after introducing a native iPad app. This strategic shift means that the desktop experience will now closely mirror the existing web.whatsapp.com platform.

According to Oman News Agency, the new web-based version is expected to consume more RAM, have slower startup times, and provide a less integrated Windows 11 experience. Users will notice the removal of features such as jump lists and live previews, which were previously available in the native app.

Meta is utilizing Microsoft's Edge WebView2 technology in the latest WhatsApp beta. This technology allows Meta to easily package its web version of WhatsApp into a desktop app. Windows Latest highlights that this move simplifies Meta's maintenance by enabling a single code base, eliminating the need to support a separate native Windows app.

WhatsApp first launched as a native app on Windows a few years ago, allowing users to run the app without needing to sync directly with their phones. The transition to a web-based version marks a significant change in how Meta will deliver WhatsApp's desktop experience moving forward.