Snapchat has officially introduced native support for iPad, marking a significant update as announced in the app’s
latest release notes.
Previously, since its launch in 2011, Snapchat was only available on iPads as an iPhone app with large black borders.
The support for iPad arrives 13 years after Snapchat’s debut on iOS platforms, allowing users to experience the app in a more optimized way.
The App Store release notes state, “Snapchat now offers native support for iPad,” emphasizing the app’s ability to fill the iPad screen entirely.
This provides users with a larger canvas for capturing Snaps and increases visibility of friends on different tabs.
This update not only enhances accessibility for iPad users but also serves as a platform for testing new features, such as tools, AR experiences, and AI functionalities in a larger format.
While the reason for Snap’s delayed iPad app launch remains unclear, there is anticipation for potential new experiences tailored for iPad users in the future.
Despite the positive development, the new app is limited to portrait mode on iPads and does not offer landscape mode functionality yet.
With TikTok’s recent update optimizing for larger screens, Snapchat’s native iPad support positions it to compete more effectively.
This move could attract more users to Snapchat’s TikTok rival, Spotlight, offering a fresh challenge to the social media landscape.
Notably, Instagram has not yet released a native iPad app, giving Snapchat and TikTok a competitive advantage over the Meta-owned platform.
