It’s official: WhatsApp now has a dedicated app for iPad. After more than a decade of workarounds and requests, Meta has finally delivered a native WhatsApp experience built specifically for iPadOS. And yes, it’s available to download right now from the App Store.
Launched over 15 years ago, WhatsApp became the go-to messaging app for millions — but strangely, it never had a proper iPad version. Until now, iPad users had to use WhatsApp Web through a browser or link it via desktop apps on Mac or PC. It worked, but it was far from ideal.
The new WhatsApp for iPad changes everything. It brings nearly full feature parity with the iPhone app, including:
- Audio and video calls with up to 32 participants
- Access to both front and rear cameras
- Screen sharing during calls
In short, it’s everything you’d expect — but now on a bigger, more flexible canvas.
Designed for iPadOS
What sets this apart is how well it integrates with iPadOS. The app supports:
- Stage Manager
- Split View
- Slide Over
This means you can finally chat while watching a video, browsing the web, or replying to emails, all without switching apps. The multitasking power of the iPad finally feels complete with WhatsApp onboard.
A Long Time Coming
The idea of an iPad app has been floating around for years. Back in 2022, WhatsApp head Will Cathcart even said the team would “love” to build it, acknowledging how much users had been asking for it.
Earlier this week, WhatsApp teased the launch with a 👀 emoji on X (formerly Twitter), but no one expected the drop to be this quick.
What’s Next?
With WhatsApp now finally available on iPad, attention naturally shifts to other Meta apps. Instagram for iPad is still one of the most-requested features — and while there’s been no official confirmation, rumors suggest something could be in the works. So far, though, Meta hasn’t dropped any hints.
