After a long wait of 15 years, WhatsApp is now available for iPad users. The instant messenger app, which has existed on the iPhone and Mac for a couple of years now, is finally on the world’s most popular tablet natively. No more need to employ walkarounds like accessing it via WhatsApp Web on Safari.
WhatsApp for iPad brings all the features that existing users have been enjoying so far, including Group Voice Chat, stickers, video calls with up to 32 people simultaneously, uploading story-inspired Status and more. However, to make the most out of the iPad’s large screen real estate, Meta has altered the UI slightly to utilise the space and make it easy for people to read and interact.
Since the iPad offers more native features for apps to enjoy, WhatsApp for iPad gets some additional exclusive features that make the overall user experience more pleasant.
WhatsApp iPad exclusive features detailed
Since the iPad allows for a greater degree of productivity, iPadOS allows WhatsApp to utilise the Stage Manager feature for its video call functionality. The Split View and Slide Over modes allow for users to do more while staying in touch with their contacts. Note that these features may require users to be on the newest version of iPadOS as well as compatible models.
The iPad version of the app has also been optimised for use with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories.
Privacy and data protection remain of paramount importance to WhatsApp’s iPad version and hence, it continues to offer end-to-end encryption and private chat lock.
With this release, WhatsApp for iPad now becomes the biggest rival to Telegram and Apple’s iMessage as well as FaceTime.
