WhatsApp Finally Arrives on iPad with Full Functionality and Multitasking Support

After more than 15 years since its iOS debut, Meta has officially launched a native WhatsApp app for iPad. Available from the Apple App Store as of May 28, 2025, this long-awaited release brings the world’s most popular messaging service to Apple’s tablets with full optimization.

Unlike a simple scaled-up version of the iPhone app, WhatsApp for iPad fully leverages the tablet’s larger display, supporting both portrait and landscape modes. It includes all familiar features—text messaging, group chats, status updates, and voice/video calls for up to 32 participants, along with screen sharing capabilities.

A major productivity boost comes from seamless iPadOS multitasking integration, enabling Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager for efficient communication while multitasking. The app also supports iPad accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, enhancing typing and navigation.

Meta ensures multi-device synchronization, keeping chats, media, and call history in sync across linked iPhones, Macs, and iPads. End-to-end encryption remains intact, preserving WhatsApp’s strong privacy standards. The delay in releasing an official iPad app likely stems from technical challenges in adapting WhatsApp’s phone-number-based structure to a true multi-device tablet experience.

How it benefits users

iPad owners now get a full-featured WhatsApp experience without needing web-based alternatives. This enhances messaging, group video calls, and multitasking on a larger screen—potentially boosting its use in professional and educational settings.