This is a tricky one because of the iPad 2 and iOS 9.3.5 — both are very old and no longer supported by WhatsApp.
Here’s the short, direct answer:
WhatsApp no longer works on iOS 9.3.5.
The minimum required iOS version for WhatsApp is now iOS 12 (or higher, depending on the update). Even old versions of WhatsApp that used to run on iOS 9 have been shut down server-side by Meta.
If you absolutely need a stable, always-connected WhatsApp experience on your iPad 2 iOS 935, stop trying to run WhatsApp natively. Instead, run it on a computer or a cheap Android phone and stream it to your iPad. whatsapp for ipad 2 ios 935 portable
Why this is the most "portable" for iOS 9.3.5: Your iPad 2 doesn’t do any heavy lifting. It just receives video frames of the WhatsApp interface. It works over cellular (if your iPad has LTE) or Wi-Fi.
The Reality Check: If you have found this post, you likely own a veteran device—the iPad 2. It is important to clarify right away: There is no official WhatsApp application for the iPad. Furthermore, WhatsApp has officially dropped support for iOS 9.
However, if you are looking for a "portable" solution (meaning you want to use WhatsApp on your iPad without jailbreaking or complex hacking), there is a specific workaround that still functions today: WhatsApp Web. This is a tricky one because of the iPad 2 and iOS 9
Since the iPad 2 cannot run the modern iPhone WhatsApp app, the only stable way to use it is by treating the iPad as a "computer" and linking it to your phone.
Here is the full step-by-step guide.
You want a portable messaging device. The iPad 2, even if you install WhatsApp, is heavy (601g vs. 300g for a modern iPad Mini), lacks a cellular chip in most models (Wi-Fi only), and has a low-resolution screen by today's standards. What Absolutely Won't Work
Moreover, iOS 9.3.5 has massive security holes. Connecting to public Wi-Fi to use a hacked WhatsApp client is a recipe for identity theft.
Before we dive into solutions, you must understand the technical wall you are hitting.
Despite all this, a "portable" solution exists—though it requires compromise, patience, and one secondary phone.