WhatsApp is finally bringing one of the most requested improvements to its iPad app. The latest update will allow users to set up WhatsApp on an iPad as a primary device, removing the need to first activate the app on an iPhone.
The feature is rolling out with WhatsApp for iPad version 26.25.74 and was first spotted by WABetaInfo. Once available, users will be able to register WhatsApp directly on their iPad using their phone number or an existing passkey, just like setting up the app on a smartphone.
This is an important change because, until now, the iPad app only worked as a companion device linked to an existing phone.
Running WhatsApp as a primary device unlocks several features that were previously unavailable in companion mode. Users will now be able to share their live location, create broadcast lists, and use business communication features such as Flows. Another welcome change is that the app will no longer log users out after 14 days of inactivity, which was one of the biggest limitations of companion mode.
This makes the iPad version much more practical for users who spend most of their day working from a tablet.
The new feature does not replace the existing companion mode. When setting up WhatsApp on a new iPad, users can choose whether they want the tablet to act as a primary device or continue using it as a companion linked to their smartphone.
This means users who are happy with the current setup do not need to change anything. At the same time, those whose phone is unavailable due to repairs, loss, or a dead battery can continue using WhatsApp directly from their iPad.
The feature is currently rolling out to users running the latest version of WhatsApp for iPadOS, with wider availability expected over the coming weeks.
This may not look like a major update, but it removes one of the biggest compromises of using WhatsApp on an iPad.
Apple has been positioning the iPad as a serious productivity device for years. Many professionals, students, and creators now use an iPad as their primary computer. For them, needing an iPhone just to activate WhatsApp never really made sense.
This update finally brings the iPad experience much closer to what users expect from a standalone device.
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