Snapchat has finally brought native support to the iPad, a long-awaited update that has taken thirteen years to arrive. The latest version, 13.4.0.41, allows the app to run directly on the iPad, fully utilizing its larger screen and offering an enhanced user experience. Previously, iPad users were stuck with an unoptimized iPhone version, resulting in black borders around a small, portrait-oriented window that did not fully use the iPad’s capabilities.
This update eliminates those unsightly black borders, allowing Snapchat to fill the entire screen and provide a more immersive experience. Users can now enjoy a larger canvas for capturing photos and videos, with more friends visible on certain tabs, making it easier to navigate and interact within the app. However, it is important to note that the app still operates exclusively in portrait mode, meaning users cannot rotate their devices to landscape orientation, which might limit the overall usability for some.
Despite these limitations, the introduction of native iPad support marks a significant step forward for the platform, offering users a more intuitive and visually pleasing interface. The app, which has always focused on smartphones since its launch in 2011, now provides a dedicated experience for iPad users, although it still has room for improvement, such as the potential addition of landscape mode in future updates.
This update is part of Snapchat’s broader 2024 enhancements, which also include features like editable chats and emoji reactions. These changes, coupled with the long-overdue iPad support, reflect the platform’s dedication to developing and improving its platform to meet user expectations. The app remains free to download from the App Store and requires iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 or later to run.
For now, iPad users can finally enjoy a full-screen Snapchat experience, though they may still encounter some minor glitches. As Snapchat continues to evolve, further updates are likely to refine and improve the app’s functionality on iPads, making it an even more compelling platform for users across various devices. In particular, Snapchat could consider implementing features that leverage the iPad’s larger screen and multitasking capabilities, such as allowing users to view multiple conversations simultaneously or use the app in split-screen mode.
