WhatsApp on the iPad: Finally Possible Without a Smartphone

Users of the WhatsApp messenger can now set up the software on Apple's iPad as a primary device without relying on a smartphone. This was reported by the well-informed blog WABetaInfo, which discovered the change in the latest software version 26.25.74 for the Apple tablet.

The installation process is identical to the familiar procedure on the iPhone. Users enter their phone number directly on the tablet and then verify themselves using a six-digit code or a passkey.

The support for passkeys represents a significant convenience gain, as authentication occurs directly through the integrated password manager of the operating system. This noticeably speeds up the setup process while simultaneously increasing security when logging in on the new primary device.

WhatsApp: Full Functionality on the Tablet

Until now, the tablet could only be used in the so-called Companion Mode, which treated the iPad as a mere companion device and artificially limited its functionality. This structural limitation is eliminated in the new primary mode, allowing features such as sharing live locations to be fully available.

Also, the creation and management of broadcast lists, which are essential for many professional users, is now possible directly on the large screen. The same applies to communication with businesses via the so-called Flows, which were previously blocked on the tablet.

Particularly pleasing is the elimination of the automatic logout, which inevitably occurred in Companion Mode after 14 days of smartphone inactivity. This timeframe often posed a significant organizational hurdle in practice, especially during repairs of the main phone or for pure tablet users.

For users who primarily organize their professional or private lives through the tablet, this change means a massive increase in flexibility. They no longer need to have an active smartphone nearby to ensure accessibility via the messenger.

The Architecture Behind the iPad Change

The technical foundation for this step was laid some time ago by the Meta-owned company with the introduction of the multi-device architecture. This allowed messages to be routed directly to devices end-to-end encrypted, without necessarily going through the main phone.

The fact that the complete decoupling for the iPad is only happening now is likely due to the high complexity of secure key synchronization. The system must always ensure that all cryptographic identities match seamlessly without compromising the integrity of chat histories.

Those who prefer to keep their smartphone as the main device for organizational reasons can still choose the previous Companion Mode during the initial setup on the tablet, according to the report. The service does not force anyone to switch to the new system, leaving existing workflows untouched.

Parallel Testing and Open Questions

The developers apparently are not resting on the iOS ecosystem, as the authors of WABetaInfo point out that Meta is currently testing "a similar feature for Android tablets." This indicates a long-term strategy to establish the messenger entirely platform-independent and without a smartphone requirement.

Despite the obvious added value, interested parties should note that the distribution of the new version is currently only occurring in small waves. It may therefore take several weeks for the option to set up as a primary device to become widely available on all devices.

Additionally, it remains to be seen how stable the synchronization of message histories will work when the iPad is operated autonomously. In the past, the messenger occasionally struggled with unpleasant delays when retrieving older chat histories across multiple standalone devices.

Another aspect is the potentially increasing storage requirements on the tablet, as the entire database now needs to be managed locally and independently. Users of entry-level devices with limited storage capacity may encounter technical limitations in the medium term if they maintain extensive media archives.