WhatsApp now has an iPad app (15 years later)
While this first release offers a plethora of much-needed capabilities, WhatsApp has said this is "only the start."
iPad users have patiently (or maybe impatiently) waited for a dedicated WhatsApp app for almost fifteen looooooong years.
Before now, users have had to rely on the clumsy WhatsApp web version within a web browser, allowing access through a web interface linked to their phones – which makes the tablet experience for the most-used messaging app worldwide, to put it bluntly, poor.
Now, a native WhatsApp app for iPad has finally arrived, after being in beta test mode under Apple's TestFlight program for almost two years.
For WhatsApp and its wide user base, this long-overdue arrival signals a turning point, even though other messaging apps such as Telegram and Signal have since launched iPad apps. Originally launched in May 2009, WhatsApp has been a mainstay for iPhones, then progressively adopted Android, Mac, and PC. Still, the iPad stayed an odd absence from WhatsApp's native app selection, despite its global popularity in the tablet market.
The new WhatsApp for iPad, part of version 25.16.81, is now available for download from today on the Apple App Store for iPads running iPadOS 15.1 or later.
What Does This Mean for iPad Users?
Well, there is no more messing with WhatsApp Web in a browser. Users can now enjoy a dedicated app with an interface optimized for the iPad's screen. Thanks to WhatsApp's multi-device capability, you may send and receive messages even if your main phone is offline or its battery is dead.
Perhaps a very good use case for iPad owners is the ability to easily place voice and video calls straight from the tablet – a feature that WhatsApp Web clearly lacks. Yes, you can make video and audio calls with up to 32 people, share your screen, and use both front and back cameras. Think about those family or friends WhatsApp group video calls now on an iPad. Cool, huh?
With the iPadOS's multitasking tools including Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager, users would be able to talk, study, or work in other apps at the same time. And for individuals who use their iPad for more serious work, support for Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil can enhance the overall user experience.
iPad users can also keep their WhatsApp private conversations locked with biometric or passcode authentication using Chat Lock, therefore maintaining privacy.
While this first release offers a plethora of much-needed capabilities, WhatsApp has said this is "only the start." So, expect future improvements and integrations such as chat filters or tailored themes that have lately emerged on other platforms.
If you're still thinking it's a prank, no it's not April 1st until next year. So, grab your iPad, download WhatsApp (if compatible, of course) and enjoy the complete WhatsApp experience.
What next? An Instagram app for iPad?
