Snapchat Rolls Out iPad App 13 Years After Initial Release on iPhone

Snapchat has finally introduced an iPad-specific app, 13 years after its initial release on iPhone. Previously, iPad users had to cope with the iOS version of the app, which displayed unsightly black borders due to the iPhone-sized interface. This made it inconvenient for viewing, capturing snaps, and using filters. Despite the delay, the app now offers full-screen display and enhanced usability on iPads, accessible on devices with iPadOS 13.0 or later, but it currently only functions in portrait mode. This is prepared by SSP.

The company's release notes confirm, "Snapchat now offers native support for iPad," meaning users can now utilize the entire screen for capturing snaps and viewing friends on various app tabs. This update enhances the app's accessibility and provides a larger canvas for using tools, augmented reality features, and AI experiences. Impressively, Snapchat has taken a step forward compared to Instagram, which has yet to release a native iPad app.

Competitively, this launch follows TikTok's update last year that optimized its app for larger screens, including iPads, and introduced landscape mode usage. By rolling out native iPad support, Snapchat aims to compete more effectively with TikTok and draw attention to its TikTok-like feature, Spotlight. Although this update doesn't bring landscape mode compatibility, it certainly marks significant progress for Snapchat in improving user experience on larger screens.