A beta version of WhatsApp UWP has been available for download for a while now and it looks like it is getting a new update with Windows 11 design features. Unlike the desktop version of WhatsApp or WhatsApp web, the UWP version is based on WinUI and XAML, and its scalable interface works on all form factors running Windows 10 or newer.
WhatsApp UWP beta has been using Windows 10-era buttons or menus, but the interface has finally changed with this week’s update. The new WhatsApp UWP now follows the native UI of Windows 11, so you can expect WinUI 2.6 controls for buttons like “Delete” or “Delete for everyone”.
What else can you expect from this latest release? Although WhatsApp UWP is still in beta and this update is a minor release, there are a lot of minor design changes. For example, notifications and accounts pages now use Windows 11-like controls.
Likewise, the WhatsApp dialog box has been updated to use newer controls. This new design change is visible across the WhatsApp UWP client and it does look better on Windows 11. Other key changes include WinUI 2.6 treatment for video calling and voice call screen.
Unfortunately, there are no new features in this release and WhatsApp updated look has only been released to match Windows 11’s transparent acrylic effects. Perhaps the most useful addition to this new app update is support for the redesigned dialog box.
Closer look at WhatsApp UWP Beta
As we mentioned at the outset, WhatsApp Beta is a UWP app, so it supports background syncing and notifications will also appear on the Action Center with interactive actions.
Similarly, WhatsApp’s voice and video calls are supported in the UWP version, which means you can make or join calls without using your mobile device.
Although the WhatsApp UWP is faster than the web wrapper client, this is a beta version that is still undergoing development and the experience could be buggy.