Is WhatsApp supported on iPad?

In conclusion, there is no answer. Reading all the responses here, soon you realize that one contradicts the other, and that one answer blames Apple for not allowing WhatsApp on iPads, and the next blames WhatsApp for not having an app for iPads, one answer tells you it is possible, the next tells you is not.

“No iPad is capable of receiving SMS messages. “

Well that ain’t right. I have a 2020 iPad Air 3, wifi only, and I use it for sms to my phone contacts most days - it’s easier to type on the bigger device

methusela wrote:

“No iPad is capable of receiving SMS messages. “

Well that ain’t right.

It is absolutely right.

The iPad can send/receive iMessages to/from other Apple devices.

It can also send/receive SMS messages using your iPhone and Text Message Forwarding.

That is it. There is no other messaging capability.

KhushalKhunteta wrote:

Just purchased a second hand iPad Pro for study purposes but still have my old galaxy pad, thought it will be a good idea to get used to apple products, but a lot of apps are missing. Mainly WhatsApp which is my main app for conversations and web version is sluggish and is not able to take calls also. Regretting the decision.

It's entirely up to WhatsApp to decide what devices they support. It is up to you to do your research before buying.

when sitting on desk, i need WhatsApp App in iPad with iPhone (same Apple account) for not only more chats on screen and ergonomics of iPad. iPad improved my posture issue of a smartphone; less shoulder discomfort due to less shoulder shrugging; less wrist problem due to less scrolling; less eye strain from new iPad compared to 5 years old iPhone. How to justify buying latest biggest display iPhone when I need to address posture problems?

Sunnyintoronto123 wrote:

when sitting on desk, i need WhatsApp App in iPad with iPhone (same Apple account) for not only more chats on screen and ergonomics of iPad. iPad improved my posture issue of a smartphone; less wrist problem due to less scrolling.

Tell WhatsApp. They are the only ones who can do anything about it.

I like your comment “We don’t support setting up new accounts on WiFi only devices” but in reality it should be “We don’t support setting up new accounts on WiFi only and cellular tablets.” I wish I am wrong

I am not sure if the problem is with the WhatsApp people that they decided to not support Apple products, or is it an issue with Apple supporting a predominantly Android and Windows application. Given the history that I have had with Apple products over the years, I suspect it is the latter. Another reason to never use Apple products.

If Apple marketing has any influence over the support given to different applications, I think that WhatsApp should be given a major priority. At present, WhatsApp and Zoom are, from my experience, the most ubiquitous apps used internationally by a very wide customer base. Tapping into that customer base should be a major marketing goal.

I went to Best Buy yesterday and was looking at the new mini iPad, I spent some time playing with the system and specifically went into the apps store looking for WhatsApp (why wouldn’t you anyone with an international business knows WhatsApp is not just a nice to have), then the “Apple Geek Squaddie” appeared, I asked him why WhatsApp wasn’t showing in the Apps Store, he told me because it’s a store model and lots of apps were removed to stop people setting up and using it in store. So he is obviously a liar or useless as he assured me I would be able once I got a new one.

Guess what my whole system seamlessly went onto the new iPad via the cloud and WhatsApp is still turning.

Best Buy are getting a visit , why I don’t know as I like the iPad but don’t like being duped by mellenial falcons preying on Gen X with good intentions.

Not happy about having to log in through a web application.

Best Buy should be honest, Apple and Zuckerberg should sort it out, bunch of kids squabbling over toys.

meanwhile life goes on…

SMS uses the cellular voice channel. iPads, even cellular models, do not support the cellular voice channel, only cellular data. So it is impossible for an iPad to support SMS.

Meta, if they chose to, could support WhatsApp on iPads, the same way way do on computers.

MacOS, Windows PC don’t have SMS either, right? And yet WhatsApp works natively. We simply scan the code. We don’t know the specific reasons why iPad doesn’t support WhatsApp yet but I’m 100% not because of the SMS issue

All iPads are capable of receiving SMS (regular SMS and iMessage). Therefore, this is not a valid reason for iPads not to have WhatsApp. On the contrary, Macs have WhatsApp - fully functional even with calling / video calling capability!!

salisu258 wrote:

I can’t enable to download a WhatsApp from my iPad device and chrome Facebook I need your kindly assistance thank you

This is an Apple forum. No one here can help you. ONLY Meta can help you, because they own What’s App

I am really upset at either What’s App or Apple or whoever has caused this mess. My old iPad with the most up to date software, worked fine with what’s app. Now I have a new iPad, and what’s app doesn’t work with it. I have a daughter in England, and one of the joys in my life is getting in bed at night, knowing she is awake across the pond, and exchanging messages. It is much harder to use an iPhone for this.

Susie W. wrote:

I am really upset at either What’s App or Apple or whoever has caused this mess. My old iPad with the most up to date software, worked fine with what’s app. Now I have a new iPad, and what’s app doesn’t work with it. I have a daughter in England, and one of the joys in my life is getting in bed at night, knowing she is awake across the pond, and exchanging messages. It is much harder to use an iPhone for this.

If you have an iPhone, you can also use your iPad to send iMessages/SMS messages to your daughter.

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to other devices - Apple Support