WhatsApp is announcing new updates that bring the app closer to how people use their devices. The updates cover iPad signup, a refreshed car experience, PDF support, and music sharing to Status. These features make WhatsApp more useful where it did not work as well before.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Sign up on iPad, CarPlay, Status Music, PDF support |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Availability info: | These features are now available to users who install the latest version of the app. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is testing custom emoji reactions on Android! |
How WhatsApp has changed in 2026
This year, WhatsApp has introduced several new features. In particular, WhatsApp is launching usernames, making it easier for users to communicate with new people and businesses without revealing a phone number. WhatsApp also introduced the premium plan, expanded Liquid Glass to iPad and Mac, and added multi-account support for the business app. These features highlight how WhatsApp is expanding the app with new features for both users and businesses.
WhatsApp published an official feature roundup
Today, WhatsApp published a new blog post on its official website. The post covers iPad signup, a refreshed CarPlay and Android Auto experience, PDF editing in chat, and music sharing to Status. With these new features, WhatsApp is improving the user experience to make the app more useful on different devices. The post shows how WhatsApp is becoming more than just a phone app, with new features for cars, tablets, and other apps.
Sign up for WhatsApp directly on iPad
WhatsApp now lets users register an account directly on iPad, without linking it to a phone first. WhatsApp previously rolled out this feature three weeks ago. Finally, the update is widely available. Users can open the iPad app, enter their phone number, and complete the registration. This makes iPad a proper primary device for WhatsApp, not just a companion to the phone.
CarPlay and Android Auto get a complete refresh
WhatsApp completely redesigned its experience on both CarPlay and Android Auto. The new version lets users hear and respond to messages, make and receive calls, browse their call history. Users can also contact their favorites while keeping their focus on the road. All from the car's screen. The previous experience was more limited and harder to navigate. But with this update, WhatsApp makes car apps easier to use and gives drivers a more convenient way to connect while on the road.
PDFs now open and edit directly in WhatsApp
Users on Web and Desktop can now open PDF files directly in the chat without downloading them first. Once users open the document, they can add highlights and annotations right within the app. The feature is powered by Adobe Acrobat, which WhatsApp is partnering with to bring PDF tools into the chat experience. This makes it faster for users to review and mark up documents that someone shares in a conversation.
Share music to your WhatsApp Status from Apple Music or Spotify
WhatsApp now lets users share a song directly from Apple Music or Spotify to their Status. With the latest updates on Android and iOS, users can now share what they're currently listening to with their friends. It works as an extension of the existing music feature for status updates. This means that users will find the "WhatsApp Status" option right within the sharing menu. Users who see the song on someone's Status can tap it to listen.
WhatsApp is rolling out these features to everyone
WhatsApp confirmed in the blog post that these features are now available. As always, not every user will see them at the same time since WhatsApp is distributing the update gradually. Users who do not see a specific feature yet should keep the app updated. WhatsApp did not share specific timelines for a full release, but the post suggests that a wider rollout is planned soon.
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