Meta has officially launched a dedicated WhatsApp app for iPad, marking the arrival of the messaging service on the device more than 15 years after both WhatsApp and the first iPad were introduced (in 2009 and 2010, respectively). The app is now available for download from the App Store, and it offers many features similar to those found on the iPhone version, including the ability to participate in audio and video calls with up to 32 people, access both the front and rear cameras, and share screens with other call participants.
Designed to take advantage of iPadOS features such as Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over, the WhatsApp app allows users to multitask seamlessly. This capability means you can keep an eye on your messages in a split-screen format while browsing the web or watching videos, making the larger display more suitable for juggling multiple tasks than constant app-switching on smaller mobile devices.
Prior to the introduction of the dedicated iPad app, users wishing to access WhatsApp on a larger screen had to rely on the web version in their iPad browser or use desktop applications for Mac or PC. In 2022, WhatsApp’s head, Will Cathcart, expressed Meta’s desire to create a native iPadOS experience, acknowledging the longstanding demand for an iPad app.
The official WhatsApp account on X hinted at the app’s release with a playful eye emoji, though the timeline for its launch was unexpected. Additionally, there are rumors that Meta is working on an Instagram app optimized for the iPad, although no official details have been released as they were for WhatsApp.
