WhatsApp Desktop: WebView2 Update — Your PC Just Got Slower

WhatsApp’s Desktop App Update: Transition to WebView2 and Its Windows Impact

WhatsApp has recently revamped its desktop app for Windows by transitioning from a native Universal Windows Platform (UWP) application to a WebView2-based wrapper that essentially loads WhatsApp Web inside a desktop window. This update, rolled out starting December 9, 2025, introduces both new features and significant performance challenges, notably higher RAM usage and required reconnection via QR code from the phone.

What Has Changed in WhatsApp Desktop for Windows?

The biggest change is WhatsApp’s move away from the native Windows app to a version based on Microsoft’s WebView2 technology, which uses the Chromium rendering engine to run the web interface (web.whatsapp.com) inside a desktop container. This shift means:

• The app looks and behaves exactly like WhatsApp Web rather than a traditional Windows-optimized native app interface.
• Users are automatically logged out after the update and must reconnect by scanning a QR code from their phone.
• Features previously exclusive to mobile and web, such as Communities, Channels, and improved Status updates, are now integrated into the desktop environment.

Reasons Behind the Switch to WebView2

While Meta has not officially detailed their motives, several factors likely influenced this transition:

• Unified Codebase: Using WebView2 allows WhatsApp to maintain a single, unified codebase for the desktop, web, and potentially other platforms. This simplifies development and support by enabling simultaneous updates and feature rollouts across platforms.
• Faster Feature Deployment: New features and security patches can be introduced more quickly without needing separate native app updates.
• Cost Efficiency: Recent Meta layoffs reportedly affected the native Windows app team, making the maintenance of a separate native app more challenging. Relying on a web wrapper reduces overhead and development costs.

Performance and Resource Usage: A Major Drawback

The switch to WebView2 has come at a notable cost in system resource consumption and app responsiveness:

• High RAM Usage: The new WebView2-based app consumes approximately 30% more RAM. Under heavy use, especially with many active conversations, memory usage can spike up to 2 to 3 GB of RAM, a significant increase compared to the lightweight native UWP version.
• Multiple Background Processes: Unlike the native app that ran primarily as a single process, the WebView2 implementation spawns multiple processes (GPU rendering, network, audio, storage) due to Chromium’s architecture, further taxing system resources.
• Slower Performance: Users report sluggishness and less responsiveness, making the app less smooth than the previous native client.
• Reliability Issues: Native features like notifications, calls, and screen sharing have experienced decreased stability and smoothness.

How To Reconnect After the Update

Following the update, all users are logged out of the desktop app and must manually reconnect:

• Open the updated WhatsApp desktop app.
• A QR code will appear on the screen.
• Use the WhatsApp app on your phone to scan the QR code and reauthorize the desktop session.

This temporary disconnection is necessary because the authentication shifts to a new mechanism aligned with the web-based connection model.

Pros and Cons of the WebView2 Transition

Pros	Cons
Unified, simplified development and maintenance Faster feature and security updates across platforms Access to web-exclusive features such as Communities and Channels Consistent user experience across devices	Significantly increased RAM & CPU consumption Slower and less responsive user experience Multiple background processes increasing system load Degraded reliability of notifications, calls, and screen sharing Mandatory QR code re-login after update

What This Means for Windows Users

Windows users keen on performance may find the new WebView2-based WhatsApp desktop app frustrating due to higher resource consumption and reduced fluidity. For many, using WhatsApp Web in a browser may offer a slightly better experience than the WebView2 container. However, the move signals Meta’s commitment to streamlining app maintenance and feature parity across platforms.

Conclusion

WhatsApp’s December 2025 update replacing its native desktop app for Windows with a WebView2-based web wrapper marks a significant shift in how the service is delivered on desktop. While offering faster feature rollouts and unifying codebases, the change also brings higher RAM usage, slower performance, and a mandatory reconnection process via QR code. Users must weigh the benefits of new features and consistent updates against the cost of diminished desktop app responsiveness and increased system demand.