Meta has finally launched a native WhatsApp app for the iPad, ending years of speculation and user frustration. The release brings full parity with the iPhone app, including video and audio calls for up to 32 people, screen sharing, and camera switching — and offers support for iPadOS multitasking features like Split View and Stage Manager.

The move closes a conspicuous gap in WhatsApp’s platform availability. Despite launching on the App Store in 2009 and becoming the world’s most-used messaging service with over 3 billion users, WhatsApp never had an iPad version. Apple released the first iPad in 2010, but Meta — which acquired WhatsApp in 2014 — continued to sideline tablet support.

Why the delay?

The absence of a native iPad app wasn’t due to a lack of demand. For years, users relied on WhatsApp Web as a workaround, a limited experience that required an iPhone connection and lacked full access to the iPad’s hardware capabilities. While Meta never officially explained the delay, technical and strategic factors likely played a role.

One reason could be Apple’s restrictions on “telephony” apps. WhatsApp’s mobile-first architecture also posed challenges. Until recently, WhatsApp accounts were tightly bound to a single device and phone number. The rollout of multi-device sync in 2021, enabling simultaneous usage across devices, laid the groundwork for the iPad version.

Strategic timing

The timing of the launch may reflect broader shifts in Meta’s product strategy. The iPad remains the world’s most popular tablet, with Apple shipping over 48 million units in 2023 and holding a 32% global market share as of Q3 2024, according to March data by Statista. That user base, especially in productivity and professional segments, expects tablet-native experiences. The new app could improve stickiness in such high-engagement segments, particularly as WhatsApp expands into payments, business messaging, and commerce.

India is WhatsApp’s largest market with an estimated 535.8 million users with a growing Apple user base, especially among students and business users.

Late, but not too late?

Competitors like Telegram have offered seamless tablet experiences for years. Yet WhatsApp’s scale gives it leeway. With cross-device syncing, full end-to-end encryption, and integration with tools like Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, the iPad version is a full-featured client aimed at power users.

With Meta finally rolling out WhatsApp on iPad presents the application as not just a messaging tool but as a foundational layer in a cross-device communication stack.