Code leak says WhatsApp is finally coming to iPad

WhatsApp on iPhone

We've been here before, but a new report about beta test versions of WhatsApp appear to show that it will be getting a native iPad version soon.

It's expected soon because the code, as first spotted by WaBetaInfo, is in the current TestFlight edition of WhatsApp. "What's new in this update?" says the researcher. "WhatsApp is releasing a compatible beta version with iPad on TestFlight!"

However, there already was a beta version of an iPad WhatsApp back in 2021. It's not clear whether that beta version ever made it TestFlight, but clearly it did not make it to a public release.

There has already been a Mac WhatsApp client since 2016, but in early 2023 it was reported that a Mac Catalyst version would be released, suggesting that the firm was looking at revising its platform offerings.

Significantly, WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which is also the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, has repeatedly said there won't be an iPad version of that service, because demand isn't "big enough."