For years, WhatsApp users who own iPads have been waiting for a native app that fully leverages the tablet’s larger screen and multitasking capabilities. After a long wait of 16 years since WhatsApp’s debut on the iPhone in 2009, the messaging giant has finally answered the call. This May 2025, WhatsApp has officially launched its native iPad app, marking a significant milestone in the app’s evolution and expanding its presence in the tablet ecosystem.
The long road to a native iPad app
WhatsApp’s journey to the iPad has been a complex one. When WhatsApp launched, it was designed exclusively for smartphones, relying heavily on phone numbers for account verification and operation. Since most iPads, especially Wi-Fi-only models, don’t have phone numbers or cellular connectivity, supporting the device was technically challenging.
For years, iPad users had to rely on WhatsApp Web accessed through browsers or third-party apps—solutions that were often clunky, insecure, and limited in functionality.
It wasn’t until 2022 that WhatsApp publicly acknowledged the strong demand for an iPad app. The company’s head, Will Cathcart, admitted that users had wanted this for a long time. Following a beta testing phase starting in late 2023 via Apple’s TestFlight, WhatsApp finally rolled out the official app in May 2025, compatible with iPadOS 15.1 and later.
Why did it take so long?
Several factors contributed to the delay.
- Technical Hurdles: WhatsApp’s original architecture was single-device and phone number-dependent. The introduction of multi-device support in 2022 was a game-changer, allowing WhatsApp to work independently on devices like iPads without the phone needing to be online.
- User Interface Adaptation: Designing an interface optimized for the iPad’s larger screen, while maintaining WhatsApp’s simplicity and ease of use, required careful development.
- Resource Prioritization: Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, focused more on smartphone features and other platforms like WhatsApp Business and desktop apps before addressing iPad support.
- Strategic Considerations: Meta has historically deprioritized iPad apps across its portfolio, including Instagram and Facebook, possibly due to perceived lower returns compared to smartphones.
What does the WhatsApp iPad app offer?
The new WhatsApp iPad app is built using Apple’s Mac Catalyst Framework, ensuring a seamless and native experience tailored for iPadOS. Here are its standout features:
- Core Messaging: Send text, voice, and video messages with end-to-end encryption, just like on your phone.
- Group and Individual Chats: The app supports both one-on-one and group conversations, with a dual-pane layout that displays your chat list on the left and active conversations on the right, making navigation effortless.
- Video and Voice Calls: Make calls with up to 32 participants, utilizing the iPad’s front and back cameras. Screen sharing is also supported, enhancing both personal and professional communication.
- Companion Mode: Link your WhatsApp account to the iPad via a QR code without needing your phone to be online, a major improvement over the previous WhatsApp Web workaround.
- Multitasking Support: Take advantage of iPadOS features like Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager to use WhatsApp alongside other apps, boosting productivity.
- Optimized Interface: Unlike WhatsApp Web, the native app uses the full screen without browser bars, providing a cleaner and more immersive experience.
- Cross-Platform Syncing: Messages, calls, and media sync seamlessly across your iPad, iPhone, and other linked devices, ensuring continuity.
How to get the WhatsApp iPad app
Getting started with WhatsApp on your iPad is straightforward.
- Check Your iPadOS Version: Ensure your iPad is running iPadOS 15.1 or later.
- Download from the App Store: Open the App Store on your iPad, search for “WhatsApp,” and download the official app.
- Link Your Account: Upon opening the app, you will be prompted to scan a QR code with your phone’s WhatsApp app to link your account in Companion Mode.
- Start Messaging: Once linked, you can start sending messages, making calls, and enjoying the full WhatsApp experience on your iPad.
What to expect moving forward
The official release is expected to include all standard WhatsApp features, with potential tablet-specific enhancements on the horizon, such as advanced multitasking widgets and deeper integration with Meta’s ecosystem. Meta’s push to comply with EU regulations and expand cross-platform interoperability may also bring exciting new capabilities.
The WhatsApp iPad app launch has been met with a mix of excitement and relief. Users have long expressed frustration over the delay, especially as competitors like Telegram and Signal offered iPad apps years ago. Now, with a native app that fully embraces the iPad’s capabilities, WhatsApp users can finally enjoy a more comfortable and productive messaging experience on their tablets.
While some remain cautious due to Meta’s privacy record and app resource usage, the new WhatsApp iPad app represents a major step forward in making WhatsApp a truly cross-device communication hub.
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