WhatsApp rolls out iPad account registration, in-car upgrades, PDF editing, and music on Status

WhatsApp has announced a batch of new features designed to make the messaging app work more naturally across devices. Users can now create a WhatsApp account directly on an iPad without needing to link a phone. The update also brings changes to CarPlay, Android Auto, PDF handling, and music sharing on Status.

iPad account now standalone

Since WhatsApp for iPad launched last year, users had consistently asked for the option to set up an account on the tablet itself. That option is now live. Users can download the iPad app, register with their details, and get started without any phone required. The company said the updates address the reality that users are no longer tied to a single device, often moving between phones, tablets, and cars throughout the day.

In-car upgrades and PDF improvements

WhatsApp has also overhauled its in-car audio experience for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drivers can now hear and respond to messages, make and receive calls, browse call history, and access favourite contacts, all hands-free through their car's built-in screen. For users handling documents on the go, WhatsApp has upgraded how PDFs work within chats. Files can now be opened directly inside the app without downloading them first. Users on the web and desktop versions can also make basic edits such as highlighting and adding annotations to PDFs within the chat window. WhatsApp said this feature is powered by Adobe Acrobat.

Music on Status and group history

The update also introduces a music-sharing feature for WhatsApp Status. Users can share a song directly from Apple Music or Spotify to their Status with a few taps, allowing contacts to see what they are currently listening to. WhatsApp said all four features are already rolling out to users. Earlier, WhatsApp launched its long-awaited Group Message History feature for Android and iOS users. The update makes it easier for people added to existing group chats to understand previous discussions. Group administrators and existing members can choose to share between 25 and 100 recent messages with new members. The default setting remains unchanged, meaning newcomers will only see messages sent after they join unless earlier chats are deliberately shared.

For Nigerian businesses and consumers who rely heavily on WhatsApp for communication and commerce, these updates mean more flexibility. Small business owners can now manage their WhatsApp accounts directly from an iPad without a secondary phone, and handling invoices or contracts as PDFs within chats becomes far easier. The in-car upgrades also improve safety for drivers who use WhatsApp for business calls on the go.