WhatsApp now has an iPad app in the App Store, closing a long-standing gap in its device lineup and bringing messaging, voice and video calls, and media sharing to Apple tablets. The app keeps end-to-end encryption and multi-device syncing in place, and WhatsApp is also testing a separate Android tablet setup flow that lets users either link a tablet as a secondary device or transfer the account to make it primary.
WhatsApp’s iPad app goes live
The iPad version is available now to download from the App Store. For users who have relied on the phone app alone, that means WhatsApp finally works on a larger screen without losing the core message and call features that make it useful for day-to-day work.
The app supports messaging, voice and video calls, and media sharing. It also keeps end-to-end encrypted chats and calls, along with multi-device syncing, so messages stay tied to the same account across devices instead of becoming a separate tablet-only setup.
WhatsApp’s App Store listing describes the service as used by more than 2 billion people in 180+ countries. For support teams, field operators, and anyone handling WhatsApp across a shift, the iPad app puts chats, calls, and shared files on a bigger screen that is easier to manage for longer sessions.
Built for iPadOS multitasking
This is not just a resized phone app. WhatsApp for iPad supports Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over, which lets users keep chats open alongside other apps while working through tasks on the tablet.
It also works with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. On calls, the app supports up to 32 people, plus screen sharing and switching between the front and back cameras. Those details matter for operators who use WhatsApp for group coordination, live troubleshooting, or quick check-ins where a phone screen is too small and a desktop client is not as practical.
The result is a tablet experience that is aimed at real use on iPadOS rather than a stripped-down companion view. Users can move between messages, documents, and video calls without leaving the tablet workflow.
Android tablets are next, but still in beta
WhatsApp is taking a different step on Android tablets. A new setup screen being tested lets users choose between linking a tablet as a secondary device or transferring the account so the tablet becomes the primary device.
That primary-device option would remove some of the limits that come with companion mode, including the 14-day logout rule and restrictions on live location and broadcast-list messaging. In practice, that would make an Android tablet less dependent on a phone staying active in the background.
The iPad app is live now, while the Android tablet setup flow is still in beta testing. For now, iPad users can start using the new tablet app immediately, while Android users are watching a test that could bring tablets closer to full account ownership later on.
Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only.
About the author
Samarth Agrawal is an AI and technology professional who writes about WhatsApp, automation, and emerging AI trends. He focuses on simplifying complex tech updates into practical insights for businesses, creators, and everyday users
