WhatsApp Launches Dedicated iPad App After 15 Years

Meta has officially launched a dedicated WhatsApp app for iPad after more than 15 years of the service's existence and the iPad's debut. The app supports many features found on the iPhone version, including audio and video calls with up to 32 participants, screen sharing, and use of both front and rear cameras, while integrating iPadOS multitasking capabilities like Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over. This long-anticipated release eliminates the need to use WhatsApp Web or desktop apps on iPads, making messaging and calls more seamless on larger screens. Previously, WhatsApp's delay in releasing a standalone iPad app was partly due to iPads lacking cellular support for mobile number authentication, but Meta's new approach allows the iPad app to function as a companion or potentially a standalone device. The company has also hinted at developing an Instagram app optimized for iPad, though no official release timeline has been announced. Meta's teasing and gradual rollout of iPad-specific apps mark a shift in its strategy to better serve tablet users.