WhatsApp is coming to the iPad—and for millions of users around the world, this will be a game-changer. It’s not available yet—but it’s on the way. New code buried in the latest beta shows the app will likely link four devices to a single account. The messaging giant is playing catch-up with other platforms that do offer seamless cross-platform access. And it can’t come soon enough.
WhatsApp dominates secure messaging—no-one has done more to bring end-to-end encryption to the masses, and its 2 billion users are safer for it. But new updates from Apple and Google, as well as the mainstreaming of Signal, have raised the bar. WhatsApp is fighting back, with several updates now in beta. But multiple device access is one area where it still pales in comparison.
WhatsApp had multiple linked devices under development as of last month. And now the excellent WABetaInfo has confirmed more code in the latest beta that appears to confirm the update is on its way and shows how it will work. Four devices linked to a single phone number, a single account.
This may mean using two-factor authentication on new devices—and using WhatsApp on a computer or tablet without it being limited to a web app that pulls content from your phone. This current approach is far from ideal and misses much of the app’s functionality. That will now change.
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