WhatsApp for iPad is finally here with group calls, screen sharing, split view. Learn all about it

After years of user requests and workarounds, WhatsApp is finally available on the iPad. The popular messaging app, owned by Meta, now offers a native iPad experience that brings all of its familiar features—chat, calls, media sharing—to a much larger screen.

The iPad app supports audio and video calls with up to 32 participants, and also allows users to share their screen—useful for everything from virtual catch-ups to quick walkthroughs with friends or colleagues. It even lets you toggle between the front and back cameras mid-call, something that’s surprisingly useful during collaborative conversations or live demonstrations.

WhatsApp on iPad supports Apple’s multitasking features like Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over. That means users can respond to messages while browsing in Safari, or research a destination while coordinating plans on a group call. The app also works smoothly with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, making it ideal for quick replies, list-making, or even sketch-sharing in chats.

The new app syncs using WhatsApp’s multi-device technology, meaning your conversations stay updated across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any other linked device. End-to-end encryption remains in place, ensuring that your messages and calls stay private. Added features like chat lock offer an extra layer of security—especially useful if your iPad is a shared device at home.

Why the Bigger Screen Helps

A native iPad version of WhatsApp isn’t just about screen real estate. It fundamentally changes how people can use the platform:

• Easier multitasking: Split View lets you message while referencing another app.
• Better group call experience: More screen means clearer views of participants and shared content.
• Improved typing and input: With the Magic Keyboard, texting becomes faster and more comfortable.
• Creative freedom: Use the Apple Pencil to draw, annotate, or mark up images and PDFs directly in chat.
• Enhanced readability: Long threads, media, and links are easier to consume on a larger display.
  

With its iPad debut, WhatsApp isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s just making the ride smoother for those who’ve long wanted to text, call, and share more comfortably on a bigger screen.