In a move to capture the growing segment of “iPad-first-and-only” professionals and students, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas has announced a major overhaul of Perplexity’s iPad app. The update transitions the app from a scaled-up mobile interface to a native experience designed to rival the desktop version of the AI search engine. So far, the Perplexity app on iPad was essentially a scaled-up version of the iOS app, which led to scaling issues on the big screen and made the user experience less desirable.
The announcement, shared by Srinivas on the social media platform X (erstwhile Twitter), highlights a complete redesign of the app’s interface to better utilise the unique capabilities of iPadOS.
Perplexity app on iPad: Desktop power in a tablet?
For years, many iPad users have criticised mobile apps that simply “stretch” the iPhone interface to fit larger screens. Perplexity’s new update directly addresses this by introducing several desktop-like functionalities:
Native multitasking support:
The app now fully supports iPadOS multitasking features, including Split View and Slide Over. This allows researchers and students to use Perplexity alongside note-taking apps or document editors without interrupting their workflow.
Wider screen real estate:
The interface has been redesigned with a persistent sidebar for easier navigation, mirroring the layout found on desktop browsers.
Advanced research tools:
The updated app includes enhanced citation displays and personalised discovery feeds, making it easier for users to verify sources and explore related topics on a high-resolution display.
Optimised workflows:
Srinivas noted that the goal was to provide the “polish and finesse” of the iOS app while delivering the “experience of desktop usage.”
Push for Pro subscribers
The move is seen as a strategic play to deepen Perplexity’s footprint among power users. By making the iPad app a more robust research tool, the company aims to encourage more users to upgrade to its Pro tier. The Pro subscription offers access to advanced AI models like GPT-5.2, Claude Sonnet 4.5, and Gemini 3 Pro, which are particularly beneficial for students and professionals on larger screens of the iPad.
This iPad update follows a busy period for the AI startup. Perplexity recently launched its Comet browser on Android and continues to expand its Shopping Hub, which provides AI-generated product recommendations.
While the iPad app is now live, Srinivas recently warned users to stay vigilant regarding ‘fake’ versions of their upcoming Comet browser for iOS, urging them to wait for an official announcement before downloading.
The revamped Perplexity app is available for download on the Apple App Store, offering a more productive “dynamic copilot” experience for the millions of iPad users worldwide.
