WhatsApp’s long-missing iPad app might finally be launching soon, with Meta dropping a subtle but promising hint on X. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

The popular messaging app WhatsApp has teased a long-awaited iPad app, which would be offered alongside its existing iPhone and Mac apps. The official WhatsApp account on X today reacted with an eyes emoji to a post saying that WhatsApp should release an iPad app. This could be a hint that Meta is finally gearing up to release WhatsApp for iPad, which has already been available for beta testing via TestFlight for nearly two years. File this news under "finally." With an Instagram app for the iPad also reportedly in the works, it appears that Meta is finally embracing the iPad for some of its most popular apps. In addition to WhatsApp and Instagram, Meta owns Facebook and Threads. There…

In a petty move, Meta blocks access to Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools feature across its apps on iPhone and Mac. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

WhatsApp has announced a laundry list of new features aimed at enhancing the user experience across chats, calls, and channels, with some of the features available now or currently rolling out. Among the most notable additions is a new "Online" indicator for group chats, which shows how many people are currently active in a conversation without revealing specific names. The feature makes it easier to see whether members are available or if you're messaging into a quiet group. For users overwhelmed by group notifications, WhatsApp has introduced customizable alert settings. The new "Notify for" option allows users to choose between receiving all notifications or only "Highlights" – which includes @mentions, replies, and messages from saved contacts. The encrypted chat platform…

WhatsApp is testing a new option that lets you control whether other chat members can export your chats with them or automatically save media you send them, according to WaBetaInfo. Referred to as "advanced chat privacy," the new option has a toggle in a recent WhatsApp beta for iOS. By turning it on, you can prevent individual users or people in a group chat from exporting the entire chat history outside of WhatsApp. Enabling the option in a group chat causes everyone in the chat to be notified that advanced chat privacy has been enabled. WaBetaInfo says that turning on the toggle also turns off Meta AI, which lets users interact with a chat bot as part of the wider…

WhatsApp's latest beta release for iOS lets you replace your iPhone's default Phone and Messages apps with it. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)