This is the news WhatsApp fans have been waiting for. Finally, you can use WhatsApp on multiple phones without logging out and back in.
We originally wrote about the ability to use WhatsApp on more than one device just over three years ago, so it’s been a long time coming.
It wasn’t until 2022 that WhatsApp officially rolled out the ability to send messages from various devices, even if you didn’t have your primary phone with you.
Now multi-device finally lets you link additional phones to your primary phone instead of being limited to adding almost anything was not a phone.
As you’d expect, using the app on multiple phones still gives your messages (and calls, photos, videos, voice recordings) the same end-to-end encryption they have on all other supported devices. charging by whatsapp. You’ll still have a primary phone and number associated with your account, but you’ll be able to send and receive messages on other phones just like you can from Windows, a web browser, or a tablet.
There is always the same limit of four additional devices as before, making five in total with your main phone.
WhatsApp states that if your primary device is inactive for a long period of time (meaning 14 days), you will be automatically logged out of all companion devices. That means it’s not ‘true’ multi-device support, but that won’t be a problem for the vast majority of people and it’s the same if you’re linking phones, additional laptops or tablets.
The news isn’t just welcome for those with a home phone and a work phone. This update is also good news for small business owners, as employees can now use the company’s WhatsApp account to respond to customers from their own phones.
You may or may not have the update as it is currently rolling out globally. WhatsApp says it will be available everywhere “in the coming weeks”.
There’s another new feature that should be available at the same time: the ability to link a companion device by entering your account phone number. This will send a code to the number, which can then be used to link the second device. It’s much easier than scanning a QR code when you don’t have the main phone handy, but can get the code from someone who has the phone.
This will be just to link additional phones, but WhatsApp plans to add support for other types of devices later.
