WhatsApp for the iPad: Boss now speaks plain text

WhatsApp still doesn’t have its own proper iPad app – very unfortunate. Users ask themselves: Will there ever be one? Now the WhatsApp boss is finally speaking plain language and hope is growing.

So far, if you want to use WhatsApp, you need a smartphone. There’s no exception for Apple users either, the messenger really runs fully on the iPhone alone. With the alternative browser solution “WhatsApp Web”, the iPhone must always be connected to the Internet. The latter is also the only solution for the iPad, a real iPad app is still not available.

WhatsApp for the iPad: Declaration of Intent inspires hope

But, slowly but surely, a rethink is taking place. WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart speaks plain language in the latest interview and gives users legitimate hope (source: The Verge). There are only two sentences, but they pack a punch: “People have been wanting an iPad app for a long time. We would like to make them happen.” WhatsApp’s intentions are clearly expressed for the first time. What has only been rumored to date is now an official declaration of intent.

I bet you don’t know all of the following WhatsApp tips yet:

The basis for a separate iPad app would of course be the ongoing beta version of the multi-device support. A separate login on another device is thus basically possible, a novelty with WhatsApp. Elsewhere with other messengers quite normal. Cathcart continues:

“People have been wanting an iPad app for a long time. We would like to make them come true. We’ve done a lot of work on the technology to support multiple devices. Our web and desktop apps can now. If I have multi-device enabled, I can turn off my phone or lose my network connection and still get messages on my desktop. That would be really important for a tablet app so that you can use the app even when your phone isn’t on. So the underlying technology is there.”

Mac app already exists

Apple users can at least now use their own WhatsApp on the Mac with the convenience mentioned, provided you first enable the beta version of multi-device support on the iPhone (Settings -> Multi-Device Beta -> Join Beta). On the other hand, if you use an iPad, you still have to use the browser (Safari and Co.). But this could soon change as soon as the WhatsApp boss puts his words into action.