For years, iPad owners had to jump through hoops to use WhatsApp — clunky web wrappers, jailbreak tweaks or nothing at all. That era is over: since May 27, 2025, WhatsApp has offered an official, native iPad app. It is free, it supports multitasking, and it syncs your chats with end-to-end encryption.
Here is how to install it, link it to your phone, and avoid the fake lookalikes lurking in App Store search results.
Before you begin: check compatibility
The official WhatsApp iPad app requires iPadOS 15.1 or later. To check your version, go to Settings → General → About and look at the software version. If your iPad is too old to run iPadOS 15.1, update it or consider a newer device — third-party WhatsApp wrappers are obsolete now and not worth the security risk.
Install the official WhatsApp iPad app
- Open the App Store on your iPad.
- Search for WhatsApp Messenger.
- Check the developer name before tapping Get. The official app is published by WhatsApp Inc. Search results are full of similarly named clones — if the developer is anyone else, do not install it.
- Tap Get to download and install the app.
- Open WhatsApp. The app displays a QR code on screen.
The launch was widely covered at the time, including by 9to5Mac, which confirmed the app supports Stage Manager, Split View and the Magic Keyboard.
Link the iPad to your phone
The iPad app works as a companion device to your existing WhatsApp account. You will need your phone nearby:
- On your phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Linked Devices, then tap Link a Device.
- Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on the iPad screen.
- Your chats sync to the iPad — up to a year of message history at setup — with full end-to-end encryption, exactly as WhatsApp’s own help center describes for linked devices.
Once linked, the iPad works independently: you can send and receive messages on it even if your phone is offline or in another room.
Registering without a phone (2026 update)
Originally, linking a phone was mandatory. A 2026 update added in-app sign-up: you can now register a brand-new WhatsApp account directly on the iPad with just a phone number, no phone required. Choose this path only if you want a separate account — most people should link their existing one so all chats stay together.
What not to do
Do not install old jailbreak tweaks like WhatsPad or unofficial third-party WhatsApp clients. They were workarounds from the pre-app era, they are no longer maintained, and unofficial clients can get your number banned. The official app is free and does everything better.
If you use Apple devices across the board, you may also like our guides on setting up message sync between iPhone and Mac and turning off call duplication between iPhone and iPad.
If it still doesn’t work
If the QR code will not scan, brighten the iPad screen, clean both cameras, and make sure both devices have an internet connection. If chats do not sync after linking, update WhatsApp on both devices to the latest version and try linking again. A QR code that never appears usually means the app needs updating — check the App Store for a pending update.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same WhatsApp account on iPhone and iPad?
Yes — that is exactly what linked devices are for. One account, up to four companion devices, all synced with end-to-end encryption. Messages sent on one device appear on the others.
Does WhatsApp on iPad support calls?
Yes. The official iPad app supports voice and video calls for up to 32 people, just like the phone version, and it works with the iPad’s cameras and microphones.
Conclusion
Installing WhatsApp on iPad is finally straightforward: grab the official WhatsApp Messenger app from the App Store (checking the developer is WhatsApp Inc.), scan the QR code with your phone, and your chats appear on the big screen. Skip the clones, skip the old workarounds — the real thing is free.
