Meta has officially launched a native WhatsApp app for iPad users — a move that’s been long overdue. After nearly 16 years, iPad owners can now download the app directly from the App Store.
To put that in perspective, WhatsApp first launched for iPhone users back in 2009. Since then, users on Apple’s tablet were left without a native experience — having to rely on workarounds like using WhatsApp Web in a browser or linking the iPad to the desktop app.
Previously, iPad users had to rely on workarounds like using WhatsApp Web via a browser or the desktop app to access their messages. But with this dedicated iPad app, the experience is now fully optimised for the tablet.
WHATSAPP FOR IPAD NOW! ⤵️https://t.co/JguqaHp2wT https://t.co/vEgwLvqmWT
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) May 27, 2025
To install WhatsApp on an iPad, users must be running iPadOS 15.1 or later.
The new app takes full advantage of iPadOS features like Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over, allowing WhatsApp to run seamlessly alongside other apps. This means users can chat while browsing the web or watching videos in split-screen mode — a major boost in multitasking efficiency compared to constantly switching between apps on a smaller phone screen.
