WhatsApp appears to be moving closer to launching a dedicated iPad app, a development long anticipated by users who have relied on workarounds or web versions to access the platform on Apple tablets. A recent post by WhatsApp’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to a user request for an iPad app with the familiar “eyes” emoji—a subtle but telling signal that Meta may be preparing to expand the platform’s availability to iPadOS.
Although WhatsApp for iPad has existed in beta form via Apple’s TestFlight system for nearly two years, a full public release has yet to materialize. This latest social media interaction is the most direct public hint to date that the company is preparing for a broader rollout. If the app does launch, it would mark the first time WhatsApp is available natively on the iPad, alongside its existing versions for iPhone, Mac, and web.
The move would also reflect a broader shift in Meta’s app strategy toward better support for Apple’s tablet ecosystem. Reports have indicated that an Instagram app tailored for iPad is also in development—another gap in Meta’s app lineup that users have highlighted for years.
Currently, Meta’s app portfolio on iPad remains uneven. Facebook is available in a native tablet format, but Threads, another of Meta’s newer platforms, remains exclusive to the iPhone. Adding WhatsApp and potentially Instagram would bring greater consistency to the user experience across Meta’s core products on Apple hardware.
For WhatsApp users, a native iPad app could deliver meaningful improvements in usability, including full-screen interfaces, multi-window support, and better synchronization across devices without relying on phone mirroring. Given the platform’s widespread use for both personal and professional communication, its absence on iPad has long been a curious omission.
While Meta has yet to confirm a release date, the timing of these signals suggests that official support for WhatsApp on iPad may finally be on the horizon.
