Why It Took 15 Years for WhatsApp to Finally Arrive on iPad

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After a long wait of 15 years, WhatsApp has finally launched on the iPad. The messaging app owned by Meta is now available for download on the App Store. It offers many of the same features as the iPhone version, including voice and video calls as well as screen sharing with up to 32 participants.

The arrival of WhatsApp on the iPad fulfills the hopes of users who have been eager to send messages on a larger screen.

Why Now?

According to Fast Company, WhatsApp was first launched in 2009, a year before Apple introduced the iPad. Despite its rapid rise in popularity, which led to Facebook (now Meta) acquiring WhatsApp in 2014 for US$19 billion, the iPad version only arrived in 2024.

User demand has been strong for a long time. In 2022, Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, said they were "very eager" to create a WhatsApp app specifically for the iPad, but it has only become a reality now.

The delay was due to several technical challenges. WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption requires secure synchronization across devices, which was difficult to implement on the iPad until Meta developed a multi-device system for desktop and web. This advancement finally made launching the iPad app possible.

Key Features on iPad

As reported by The Verge, WhatsApp for iPad supports iPadOS features like Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over, allowing users to run it alongside other apps. Users can reply to messages while browsing or watching videos without switching apps.

The iPad version also allows video and audio calls with up to 32 participants, using either the front or back camera, along with full screen sharing capabilities.

Interestingly, Meta released WhatsApp for iPad quietly, without an official announcement or mention in the app update notes. The only hint came from WhatsApp’s official account on X, which posted an eye emoji, subtly signaling the new feature’s arrival.

Editor's Choice: WhatsApp Launches App for iPad, Now Available on App Store

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