Summary
- WhatsApp finally released an official iPad app.
- The iPad version supports multitasking features, Magic Keyboard, the Apple Pencil, and more.
- WhatsApp continues to work across multiple devices and maintains end-to-end encryption on iPad.
It only took 16 years, but there’s finally an official version of WhatsApp for the iPad. If you’re tired of using WhatsApp’s web version on your iPad and wish there were a better way, this is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Today, WhatsApp announced that it has finally created and released its first official app for Apple’s popular iPad. The company claims this is by far one of the biggest user requests, which makes sense considering we see users complain about it daily on Reddit. Those who rely on WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family can finally do it (easily) from another device.
For those unaware, WhatsApp has been around since 2009, which means it’s been available for longer than the iPad. As a result, users everywhere didn’t understand why the company never built a full-fledged iPad app for one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms. Until now, the only option was to use a web variant or try to jump through hoops and other unofficial methods.
That all ends today. Those who’d like to chat with friends and family through WhatsApp on their iPad can download it from the App Store right now. Everything you love about WhatsApp is still available, including making video and audio calls with up to 32 people simultaneously. Only now it’s on a bigger screen. Here’s what Meta had to say about this new release:
“We’ve made WhatsApp for iPad ideal for multitasking so you can get more done. Take advantage of iPadOS multitasking features such as Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over to view multiple apps at once, so you can send messages while browsing the web, or research options for a group trip while on a call together. WhatsApp also works with your Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.”
Surprisingly, WhatsApp for iPad works with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, which is something fans everywhere can appreciate. Then, as expected, it works seamlessly across the iPhone, Mac, and other devices while keeping your messages safe and secure thanks to end-to-end encryption.
In 2014, Facebook (now Meta) acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion, which means it still took the company over 10 years to finally build a version for the iPad. This was one of the platform’s biggest omissions, so we’re glad to see it finally arrive. Now, if we could get a similar upgrade for Instagram and other Meta apps, that would be great.
In related news, WhatsApp added 12 neat new features in April, theme options arrived earlier this year, and if WhatsApp stopped working on your old iPhone 6 (or older) this month, it’s because the messaging app no longer supports older iOS devices.
Source: WhatsApp