WhatsApp arrives on iPad: All you need to know

WhatsApp has released the official iPad app on Apple's App Store, providing an optimised version of the messaging platform on the popular device family. The app syncs with the main account on the users' smartphones, similar to the desktop version of the app.

WhatsApp 25.16..81 is the first version of the instant messaging app launched for the iPads, and it will work on iPadOS 15.1 or later.

WhatsApp for iPad has been under development for some time now. The messaging firm had launched a beta testing programme specifically for iPad users on the Apple-owned developers' platform TestFlight. The beta programme was limited and highly focussed on collecting targeted feedback and identifying bugs from users running the app specifically on iPadOS. The move was meant to tailor the app to a screen larger than a smartphone and optimise it for tablet usage.


How to use WhatsApp on iPad

Apple iPad users running iPadOS 15.1 or higher can download WhatsApp on their devices from the App Store. Once it is installed, they will have to scan a QR code using their phone that has their primary WhatsApp account. It can be an iPhone or an Android device.

Once the syncing process is done, WhatsApp will copy account data and one year of chat history from the primary account to the iPad. During the initial sync, both the iPad and the primary mobile device need to remain open and connected to the Internet. Once the sync finishes, users can begin using WhatsApp on their iPad without needing their phone to stay online.