WhatsApp is rolling out a whole package of new features that integrate the messenger more closely with Apple devices: a redesigned CarPlay app, account login directly on the iPad, and sharing Apple Music songs in status updates. All the new features are already being rolled out.
WhatsApp is currently expanding its apps almost weekly – most recently with the addition of reservable usernames, which allow chatting without sharing your phone number. This latest wave of updates bundles several new features that are particularly relevant to Apple users. Because WhatsApp is the standard messenger on virtually every iPhone in German-speaking countries, these changes to CarPlay, iPad, and Apple Music carry more weight here than in markets dominated by other services.
Revised CarPlay app for cars
According to the company, WhatsApp's integration with CarPlay and Android Auto has been completely redesigned. Users can now have incoming messages read aloud and reply to, make calls, and access call history and favorites via the car's screen – all hands-free and by voice, without having to pick up their phone.
This places WhatsApp in an environment where Apple itself is continuously expanding CarPlay. The overview of CarPlay in iOS 27 shows which functions Apple is adding on the system side, from video apps to the new assistant. The messaging integration is the part contributed by the app providers.
Create a WhatsApp account directly on your iPad
Previously, WhatsApp on the iPad required an existing account that had to be linked from an iPhone. This is changing: A WhatsApp account can now be created directly in the iPad app, without having to use a paired phone. Registration and setup are completed entirely on the tablet.
Since the launch of the standalone iPad app last year, this feature has been among the most frequently requested by users. For those who use the iPad as their primary device, this eliminates the need for a concurrently set-up iPhone.
Share music from Apple Music in your status
Another new feature is the ability to transfer a currently playing song directly from Apple Music or Spotify to your WhatsApp status. With just a few taps, the current track appears in your status, allowing your contacts to see what's playing. Initial hints of this feature surfaced at the end of 2025, and it's now officially available.
Anyone already comparing the two major streaming services will find the differences in a comparison of Apple Music and Spotify. The service doesn't matter for sharing status updates – both are supported.
Open PDFs directly in WhatsApp
On the web and desktop versions, integration with Adobe Acrobat is being added. This allows PDFs to be opened without having to download them first and easily edited directly in the chat – for example, by adding highlights and annotations. This feature will initially be limited to the web and desktop versions and will not be available in the mobile apps.
WhatsApp is getting closer to Apple devices
The common denominator of the new features is less a single major function than the closer integration with the devices and services that already interact in everyday Apple use – from the car screen to the iPad and the streaming service. According to WhatsApp, all of these features are being rolled out immediately, with the activation occurring gradually as usual and not reaching all accounts simultaneously. (Image: WhatsApp)
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