WhatsApp has introduced a new update for iPad that allows users to create an account directly on the tablet, without needing to link an iPhone or scan a QR code.
With the change, users can enter their phone number on the iPad itself and start using WhatsApp. This removes the earlier requirement of setting up the account on a smartphone first and then connecting the tablet as a companion device.
WhatsApp had launched a dedicated iPad app last year, but the lack of direct sign-up was seen as a key limitation. The latest update addresses that gap and is expected to be welcomed by users.
The update also includes features aimed at reducing the need to handle a phone while driving, alongside improvements to file handling. Users can access PDF files within WhatsApp without downloading them separately, with support for basic editing tools.
Within a chat, users can highlight PDFs and add notes. In addition, songs from Apple Music and Spotify can now be shared directly to WhatsApp Status by selecting a track from either service and posting it.
