WhatsApp has launched its updated desktop app in Pakistan, replacing the earlier native Windows version with a WebView2-based model similar to WhatsApp Web.

The previous Windows desktop app was built as a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) application but often suffered from lag and crashes. The new version functions as a web wrapper, which may lead to higher memory usage. Reports indicate that the latest build can use up to 2GB of RAM during heavy activity, compared to the older app’s much lower consumption.

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The update introduces a simpler interface with some layout changes. Certain settings appear reduced, while features such as Channels, Status, and Communities now have better placement. Notification behavior may also differ from the older version.

Meta is shifting to this approach to maintain a unified codebase across operating systems. While some options from the native version are missing, more updates are expected over time.

The rollout of this recent updated Whatsapp Web is underway, and many users in Pakistan have not received the new app yet.