WhatsApp is gradually introducing a significant update for iPad users, enabling them to register their tablets directly as primary devices for the messaging app. This eagerly awaited change means iPads will no longer be limited to 'companion mode,' which required linking to an iPhone or Android phone.
Goodbye Companion Mode Restrictions
Until now, using WhatsApp on an iPad meant relying solely on companion mode. While functional, this mode came with several limitations. Users couldn't:
- Share live location.
- Create or view broadcast lists.
- Communicate with businesses using WhatsApp Flows.
Furthermore, companion mode imposed a device access limit: if the primary phone's WhatsApp wasn't opened for 14 consecutive days, all linked devices, including the iPad, would automatically log out. This often led to inconvenience for users who preferred to use their iPad as their main messaging hub.
Setting Up Your iPad as a Primary WhatsApp Device
With the new update, setting up WhatsApp on an iPad as a primary device mirrors the process on a smartphone. Users simply need to:
- Enter their country code and phone number.
- Wait for a six-digit verification code.
For those who have already configured a passkey for their WhatsApp account, this can be used as an alternative verification method. Once the iPad is set up as the primary device, all the previous restrictions of companion mode are lifted. This means full functionality, including live location sharing and broadcast list access, without the risk of automatic logout due to phone inactivity.
Companion Mode Remains Available
It's important to note that WhatsApp is not discontinuing companion mode entirely. Users who prefer to keep their phone as the main device can continue to do so, utilizing their iPad as a secondary linked device. When setting up WhatsApp on an iPad for the first time, users will now be presented with both options to choose from.
Users who currently have their iPad linked in companion mode do not need to take any immediate action; the report indicates the feature is rolling out gradually. This update, identified as WhatsApp for iPadOS version 26.25.74 by WABetaInfo, is expected to reach more accounts in the coming weeks, fundamentally changing how many users interact with WhatsApp on their tablets.