WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. The app is primarily available for iPhone and Android smartphones but not for tablets, including iPads. Luckily, with iPadOS, it is easier than ever to get WhatsApp up and running on an iPad. Here is how you can use WhatsApp on iPad, without buying any third-party app.
This method involves the use of Safari browser on iPad, which now supports desktop-class browsing after the release of iPadOS. Websites now load by default in desktop mode in iPadOS which is fully optimized for desktop compatible websites and web-apps. Safari on iPadOS uses the same user agent string as Safari on macOS , so websites are served accordingly.
How to use WhatsApp on iPad
- Open web.whatsapp.com in Safari. You will see a QR code on the WhatsApp website.
- Open your iPhone or Android device, go to WhatsApp and navigate to Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop and tap on Scan QR Code.
- Once the code is scanned, the connection between WhatsApp app and WhatsApp Web will be established. Once the app loads, you will be able to use it.
A few things to note:
- You will not get any notifications since Safari on iPad does not support them.
- The list of contacts from your iPhone or Android will be shown in WhatsApp Web, NOT the list of contacts on your iPad.
- You can add an icon for WhatsApp to your iPad home screen by tapping the share button in Safari, and tapping on Add to Home Screen. Tapping the icon will just open the website in Safari, instead of opening it as a full-screen Progressive Web App.
- You can share photos, videos and files from your iPad to your contacts on WhatsApp. You can also save incoming media to your iPad.
- You can also record and send voice notes. A red microphone icon will show in Safari’s address bar, when the mic is active.
While the experience is perfect due to lack of notifications, the web app works great in Safari. There are rumors that a dedicated iPad app is in the works, and will be released soon. Whether it will work via connectivity with an iPhone or Android device, or stand-alone, is yet to be seen. Telegram, a messaging service similar to WhatsApp, already has an iPad app which works independently of its smartphone apps. There is no reason that WhatsApp cannot do the same, without compromising on security.
Read more:
- WhatsApp Could Soon Allow You to Remain Active With the Same Account on Multiple Devices
- WhatsApp Could Soon Let You Share Status to Facebook and Other Apps
- Here’s How To Lock WhatsApp On Your iPhone Using Face ID Or Touch ID
About the author: Imran Hussain has been covering tech since 2008. His passion in technology started from beta testing Windows Longhorn and other Microsoft services and apps, and later expanded to smartphones and other platforms. He currently covers mobile tech, and still prefers beta releases over stable software updates. When not writing, buying or discussing tech, Imran enjoys gaming, movies, news and spending time with his family.
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