News in Short

• WhatsApp is rolling out primary device support for eligible iPad users.
• iPads can now register directly using a phone number or passkey.
• Android tablets are testing a redesigned setup screen.
• The update removes several companion mode restrictions.
• Both features are rolling out gradually.

WhatsApp is making its tablet experience much better with two major updates. Eligible iPad users can now set up WhatsApp as a primary device instead of relying on companion mode. At the same time, the company is testing a simpler account setup process for Android tablets. The changes aim to make using WhatsApp on larger screens easier and more independent.

According to reports, both features are rolling out gradually, so not all users will see them immediately.

iPad Users No Longer Need to Depend on Their iPhone

Until now, WhatsApp on iPad worked only in companion mode.

Users had to link the app to an existing smartphone by scanning a QR code. If the primary phone remained inactive for 14 days, WhatsApp automatically signed out the linked iPad.

That is now changing.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for iPadOS version 26.25.74 allows eligible users to register WhatsApp directly on an iPad using their phone number and a six-digit verification code.

Users with an existing passkey can also use it to complete the setup faster.

What Changes After Registering an iPad as the Primary Device?

The biggest advantage is freedom from companion mode restrictions.

Once an iPad becomes the primary device, users can access features that were previously unavailable on linked tablets.

These include:

• Live location sharing
• Broadcast lists
• Business messaging through WhatsApp Flows

The update also removes the automatic logout that occurred when the linked smartphone remained inactive for two weeks.

For users who mainly use an iPad, the experience will now feel much closer to using WhatsApp on an iPhone.

Android Tablets Are Getting a Simpler Setup Process

WhatsApp is also testing improvements for Android tablets.

Although Android tablets already support primary registration, the setup process can sometimes confuse users.

The latest beta introduces a redesigned setup screen with two clear options.

Users can either:

• Link the tablet to an existing account.
• Transfer the account and make the tablet the primary device.

Choosing the transfer option starts the normal verification process using a phone number and six-digit code.

After verification, WhatsApp restores chat history from Google Drive and automatically signs out the previous primary phone.

That phone can later be linked again as a companion device if needed.

Why This Update Matters for Tablet Users

These changes make WhatsApp much more practical on larger screens.

Many people now use tablets for work, online classes, travel, and entertainment. However, WhatsApp’s companion mode limited what users could do without keeping their smartphone active.

By allowing iPads to become standalone devices and simplifying setup on Android tablets, Meta is making WhatsApp more flexible for users who rely on tablets every day.

The update also reduces the hassle of switching between devices or worrying about being logged out because another device remained inactive.

Availability

According to WABetaInfo, primary device support is rolling out to eligible users running WhatsApp for iPadOS version 26.25.74. The feature is also available to some users through the latest TestFlight beta.

Meanwhile, the redesigned Android tablet setup screen is currently available to select beta testers.

Meta has not announced when either feature will be available to all users through the stable version of WhatsApp.