iPad owners no longer need a phone to keep WhatsApp running. Meta is rolling out primary device support for the iPad app, freeing it from the companion mode tether that has limited tablets to second-class status since the app launched.
Available with version 26.25.74 on the App Store and TestFlight, the update lets users register their WhatsApp account directly on an iPad using a phone number and a six-digit verification code, just like setting it up on an iPhone or Android handset. Those who already set up a passkey can skip the SMS code entirely and authenticate through their password manager. The change kills the biggest pain points of companion mode.
Previously, iPads linked to a phone couldn't share live locations, create broadcast lists, or interact with businesses using WhatsApp Flows. And if the main device went inactive for 14 consecutive days, WhatsApp automatically logged out every linked device, including the iPad. With primary device mode, those restrictions vanish.
WABetaInfo first spotted the feature rolling out gradually this week, meaning not every iPad user will see it immediately. The staged rollout gives some users a choice when opening the app for the first time: link as a companion or register as the primary device. The old setup remains available for anyone who prefers it.
Meta is also testing a similar overhaul for Android tablets. Beta builds show a redesigned "Choose an option" screen that makes the primary versus companion decision clearer.
Because WhatsApp supports only one primary device per account, the former phone is automatically signed out but can be re-added in companion mode. The practical use cases are straightforward. Someone who sends their phone in for repairs can keep using WhatsApp on their iPad without worrying about the 14-day logout timer.
Both changes remain in limited testing through version 26.25.74, with no official timeline for broad availability.
