WhatsApp is currently testing iPad compatibility, as the platform, owned by Meta, looks to launch an eagerly anticipated version of its messaging application for Apple tablets. Details from feature tracker WABetaInfo reveal that the companion mode for iPad follows months after WhatsApp introduced the ability to link additional iPhone or Android devices.
According to observations made in the WhatsApp beta for iOS version 23.19.1.71, users enrolled in the testing program via Apple’s TestFlight app can now install WhatsApp on an iPad. The application remains compatible with iPhones running iOS 12 and newer, indicating that the tablet version will likely have similar requirements.
For those using the latest beta, the process of linking a new device in companion mode can be initiated through WhatsApp Settings by selecting Linked devices and then Link a device. This will allow recent messages to sync to the iPad, enabling users to send and receive texts directly from the tablet.
Importantly, users will be able to send and receive messages even if their primary smartphone is out of network range or powered off due to low battery, similar to features available on other platforms that support companion mode.
In related news, WABetaInfo has highlighted updates to the group calling interface in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.19.16. Notably, the previous Create call link option in the Calls tab has been replaced with a new option named New call, which prompts users with the text “Call one or more of your contacts.” Additionally, a new floating action button (FAB) featuring a plus icon has been added to the bottom right corner of the interface.
Currently, users can invite up to 15 participants to join a group call, and additional members can join until the overall limit of 32 participants is reached. While this latest beta continues to uphold the maximum of 32 members for group calls—including the initiator—it now allows for all 32 participants to be added from the outset, simplifying the experience for users.
Last week, WhatsApp also began trialing a feature aimed at streamlining the process of automatically verifying security numbers. This feature, named “Key Transparency,” is designed to enhance the ease of confirming security numbers with other WhatsApp users, ensuring conversations remain secure and end-to-end encrypted.
