How-To
While there is no WhatsApp app for iPad (yet), we explain a simple way to access and send WhatsApp messages on an iPad.
By Lewis Painter
Senior Staff Writer, Macworld
Macworld UK
WhatsApp is an incredibly popular iPhone app, connecting more than a billion active members around the world every day. It lets you send messages to friends, or groups of friends, over Wi-Fi or 4G/5G and make savings on your phone bill. (Of course, you may end up paying for data if you go over your limit, so don’t go crazy!)
The sad thing is that WhatsApp is only available for iPhone. There isn’t a version of the app for the iPad (or iPod touch).
But don’t despair. In this tutorial, we show you how to use WhatsApp on the iPad using WhatsApp Web. This service connects to the WhatsApp account on your iPhone (or Android device) and forwards the messages on to your iPad, allowing you to send and receive messages, pictures and videos. It’s not quite native WhatsApp on the iPad, but it’s the next best thing.
While right now there is no version of Whatsapp on the iPad, there could be one coming. In August 2021 news emerged that a Whatsapp app for iPad is coming soon with a project to bring the messaging app to iPad (and Android tablets) in development.
Then in January 2022 WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart acknowledged in an interview that people had been asking for an iPad app for a long time. Cathcart revealed that much of the infrastructure to develop an iPad app is already in place, but he made no immediate promises.
Since then reports have emerged suggesting that WhatsApp for iPad will be released with multi-device support. WABetaInfo tweeted in May 2022 that: “Multi-device 2.0 will let people link an additional mobile phone or tablet (WhatsApp for iPad/Android tablet) to the same WhatsApp account in the future.”
Multi-device 2.
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 27, 20220 will let people link an additional mobile phone or tablet (WhatsApp for iPad/Android tablet) to the same WhatsApp account in the future. pic.twitter.com/Vmv8QLFFxZ
Perhaps 2022 will be the year that Whatsapp comes to iPad, and for that matter Mac as well! Read our separate tutorial about how to use Whatsapp on a Mac.
Follow these steps to get WhatsApp on an iPad:
Open the iPhone’s Settings, go to WhatsApp Web, and scan the code to pair the two devices.Be aware that there are a few limitations when using this workaround. Most importantly, unlike when the service is used on a Mac or PC, notifications from web browsers aren’t supported on iOS/iPadOS. You won’t be notified of new messages.
Apart from that and a few small bugs, however, the service is pretty easy to use and a great alternative for WhatsApp users keen to access the service on iPad.
WhatsApp Web is a free and easy way to access the WhatsApp service on your iPad. Although you won’t get notifications (as you would when using the service on Mac or PC), it’s a great way to easily access your messages on a tablet.
Moving from Android to iPhone and want to bring your WhatsApp messages with you? Read: How to move WhatsApp messages from Android to iPhone.
Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You'll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
Many are the users who, when buying a new iPad, consider the possibility of buying the model with data connection, a very comfortable option if you regularly use the iPad outside the home. Ok, you can share your mobile internet connection, but it is not the same (I say this from my own experience).
However, the vast majority of users prefer to save the extra 100 euros that this version costs and opt for a model with more storage.
Although the iPad has a mobile data connection, it does not mean that we can use WhatsApp. If you want to know how to use WhatsApp on an iPad without SIM, I invite you to keep reading.
While some manufacturers of Android tablets do allow WhatsApp to be installed and used as if it were a smartphone (such as Huawei), most manufacturers, like Apple, they do not offer that possibility.
However, on Android it is much simpler iInstall WhatsApp on a tablet without SIM in the IPAD, since we can download the apk from any repository and install it on your device.
The only option to install applications on the iPad is through go to the App Store or jailbreak the device, an option less and less used.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel
Although Apple allows applications designed for the iPhone to be installed on the iPad, in the case of WhatsApp it is not possible.
When we seek an application in the App Store for the iPad, it will automatically show all iPad compatible apps, since a filter is applied that shows applications for this specific device.
If we modify that filter, in the case of WhatsApp, we find that the application does not appear in the list of applications. Instead, a large number of third-party applications are displayed, none official, which assure us that they allow the possibility of using WhatsApp on our iPad.
All these third-party apps do nothing but use the functionality that WhatsApp It has been offering for years to use your platform from any other device: WhatsApp Web.
Table of Contents
WhatsApp Web is the only way to use WhatsApp on any other device. One of the problems associated with using WhatsApp Web is that it was necessary to have our iPhone on at all times, a problem of the past but that has a number of advantages and limitations.
Regardless of whether our iPad has a SIM or not, the method to be able to using WhatsApp on the iPad is the sameSince, as I mentioned above, WhatsApp does not allow iPad users to install the official application through the App Store, even if we apply the filter so that it only shows applications compatible with iPhone.
In this way, the only thing we can do is use the WhatsApp Web functionality. If you want to know how to use WhatsApp on iPad without SIM, I invite you to keep reading:
Any changes we make to the web version, it will be automatically reflected in the WhatsApp version of our device.
Once we have logged into our WhatsApp account with our iPad, we must create a shortcut to that web page. In this way, whenever we want to continue with a WhatsApp conversation on our device, we will only have to click on the shortcut.
Using WhatsApp on the iPad does not imply that it begins to notify the messages that are received. In fact, will not notify any message. If we want to see if we have new messages, we access the web version and check it.
Once we log into our iPad with the WhatsApp account through any browser, this device will be associated with our account and it will be displayed in the Linked devices section.
Closing the browser tab where WhatsApp is displayed we are not going to log out, the only thing we will do is close the window where it is shown, just like it happens when we close WhatsApp.
If we want stop using WhatsApp on iPad or any other device connected, we must perform the steps I show below:
This process It can only be done from the smartphone where we have the WhatsApp account. We cannot do it from the devices from which we have logged in.
This process is not reversible, that is, we can't undo it. If we want to use WhatsApp again on the iPad or on any other device, we must do the process again from the beginning.
WhatsApp is the most widely used instant messaging application on all types of devices. It is not only used on mobile phones, but we can also access it on other devices such as a computer thanks to its browser version.
Also, those people who have an iPad want to be able to use the application, although this raises questions, especially if you have a model without a SIM card. If you want to use WhatsApp on iPad without a SIM card , we will tell you how it is possible.
There are many users who have an iPad without a SIM card and want to be able to use WhatsApp on it. There is a way that we can use the famous instant messaging app on Apple tablets and we will tell you how it is possible below. Thus, if you have one of these devices and want to use the application, this will be possible for you.
Postcode
WhatsApp is an application that can be downloaded on various types of devices.
The application has its own version for Android and iOS which then allow us to use it on mobile phones. iPad users do not yet have a version of this app for their tablets. At least at the time of this writing. Since it has long been known that those responsible for the application and Apple are working on a version for the iPad.
To this day continues without knowing exactly when this version of the iPad application will be released. This is expected to happen in the near future, but we need to wait for an announcement from WhatsApp. Some beta versions of the app have already shown signs of its existence, so it wouldn't be strange if it appeared sometime this year, but the exact dates remain a mystery for now. This means that this app cannot be downloaded on an iPad like it is on an Android phone or iPhone.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel
On the Internet we find unofficial versions of WhatsApp , which can also be downloaded on the iPad without a SIM card.
Thanks to them, users will be able to send messages to other people from their tablet, as if it were an official application. On paper, this might be an interesting option as it will allow them to use the app on their iPad, but it comes with its own risks. Since they are unofficial versions, we do not know if they are safe or not, which is already a clear problem in this regard. Also, if we are found to be using an unofficial version, the app may block our account.
We will be able to use WhatsApp on an iPad without a SIM card , but we are not going to install it on these tablets, rather it is a way to use the famous instant messaging application on the tablet . Until the official version of the application is released, you need to resort to this method on the iPad. This is the method in which we are going to use WhatsApp Web, the browser version of the application.
So we will depend on the browser we have on the iPad.
The good news is that the Web is compatible with all browsers on the market today. Whether we use Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox or others, we will be able to access them at any time, so this is not a problem in this respect. Of course, we must already have an existing app account on a device such as an iPhone or an Android phone. Since the use of this version works as an extension of the currently existing account.
WhatsApp Web acts as an extension to the mobile version of WhatsApp. . This version allows us to access our account in the device's browser so that we can see open conversations and also be able to start new ones. In addition, the app's new multi-device support means that this version no longer depends entirely on the mobile version. Until now, if we wanted to use WhatsApp Web, we had to make sure that the mobile phone had an Internet connection while we were using it, otherwise it was impossible to use it. This is changing in this version.
Fortunately, the app has the new multi-device support that ends this dependency. This means that we only need to link the account once, and then we can access WhatsApp Web whenever we want, including from an iPad without a SIM card. It will be possible to enter this version even if the original phone does not have an Internet connection, it is not even necessary that this phone be with us at that moment. So this version is now somewhat more independent and you can use it better. First of all, we need to link the two versions of the app. Here are the steps we have to follow:
With these steps, we have already linked two accounts. You can start using WhatsApp on iPad without a SIM card. Thus, by sending messages to your chats, using almost the same functions as in the version for phones. From messages, emoticons, GIFs, files and more. So the use will not cause too many problems in this regard.
WhatsApp Web is a version that has been greatly improved over time. . One of its great innovations is that this dependence on mobile devices is ending with new cross-device support for the app, which will allow for a much better experience at any time. Although this gives us many functions, it is not the same as using the native WhatsApp application, since we will have some limitations.
A prime example is that calls and video calls are not supported by on WhatsApp Web.
This is one of the main features that this version does not have, which can be a clear issue or limitation for many users. So you can only send text messages in it. The good news is that you can send audio messages, just like in the original app. At the bottom of the window we will see that there is a microphone icon that we can click on to record the audio message we want to send.
Usually, when we are going to use WhatsApp Web, if we want to send audio messages to one of our chats, we are asked to give microphone access to the browser that we use on the iPad so that we can then record this message that we are going to send to our chat. This is not something that will be a problem, but it is good to know that this permission must be granted. Since in this way it will be possible to send audio messages without problems.
We have already been able to use WhatsApp on an iPad without a SIM card. due to using the web version of the application.
If you're going to be using it regularly on your iPad, you might be interested in having direct access to it. This way you won't have to open your browser every time you want to log in to your chats in the app. This is something that can be done very easily on the iPad, so it might be worth it for many.
Once you're signed in to WhatsApp Web, click the Share button in Safari (since most of you probably use that browser on your iPad). When this option is used in a browser, a menu with various options appears on the screen. One of the options in this menu is Add to Home Screen, Exactly what we need in this case. We then select this option to create this shortcut on the iPad screen.
Direct access to WhatsApp Web is then created, which we can then use on our iPad without a SIM card. This is a quick way to have access to the messaging application at any time and thus we can send messages to our contacts. Until the iPad app itself is released, which we are still waiting for, we can use this method if we want to use the well-known messaging app on the Apple tablet all the time.
When buying a new iPad, many users consider buying a model with a data connection, which is a very convenient option. if you regularly use iPad outside the home . Okay, you can share your mobile internet connection, but it's not the same (I say this from experience).
However, the vast majority of users prefer to save 100 euros more than this version costs and opt for a model with more memory. Although the iPad has a mobile data connection, this does not mean that we can use WhatsApp. If you want to know how to use whatsapp on ipad without sim card . I invite you to continue reading.
Although some manufacturers of Android tablets allow you to install and use WhatsApp as if it were a smartphone (eg Huawei), most manufacturers such as Apple do not provide this option.
On Android, however, things are much simpler. Install whatsapp on tablet without sim card than on iPad as we can download apk from any repository and install it on our device.
The only way to install applications on the iPad is through to go to the app store or jailbreak the device, this option is used less and less.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel
While Apple allows apps designed for iPhone to be installed on iPad, this is not possible with WhatsApp.
When we search for an app in the iPad App Store, it automatically shows all iPad-compatible apps because it applies a filter to show apps for that particular device.
If we change this filter, in the case of WhatsApp, we find that application does not appear in the list of applications . Instead, a large number of third-party applications are displayed, none official, which assure us that they allow us to use WhatsApp on our iPad.
All these third party applications do nothing but use the functionality that WhatsApp For years it has offered the possibility to use its platform from any other device: WhatsApp Web.
should have had our iPhone for all time, a problem of the past, but which has a number of advantages and limitations.
Whether our iPad has a SIM card or not, the way to use WhatsApp on iPad is the same Because, as I mentioned above, WhatsApp does not allow iPad users to install the official application through the App Store , even though we apply a filter so that it only shows apps that are compatible with the iPhone.
So the only thing we can do is use the WhatsApp Web functionality. If you want to know how to use WhatsApp on iPad without SIM , I invite you to continue reading:
Any changes we make to the web version of will automatically be reflected in our device's WhatsApp version.
Once we have logged into our WhatsApp account from our iPad, we must create a shortcut to this web page . In this way, whenever we want to continue a WhatsApp conversation on our device, we will only have to click on the shortcut.
Using WhatsApp on an iPad does not mean that it starts notifying you of received messages. In fact, will not notify any message . If we want to check if we have new messages, we must access the web version and check it.
Once we log into our iPad with a WhatsApp account through any browser, this device will be associated with our account and it will show up under "Linked Devices".
Close browser tab showing WhatsApp we are not going to log out , the only thing we will do is close the window in which it is shown, just like it happens when we close whatsapp.
