WhatsApp is allegedly working on a feature that would allow users to chat with the same account using multiple phones, or using a phone and a tablet, as per a screen found in a beta version of the app by the site WABetaInfo. The screen gives users instructions for registering the device they are using as a “companion” by scanning a code using the primary phone. Although as of right now, there isn’t an actual code to scan.
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The screens found in beta version of WhatsApp
A screen found in a previous beta version of WhatsApp showed that devices may get the ability to sync recent messages, despite the fact that all messages are end-to-end encrypted. That screen, as well as the “Register Device as Companion” screen that gives users instructions on how to use WhatsApp on another device, all this information is adding up to compelling evidence that this feature is in the works.
WhatsApp users can already link a phone with a computer
Both of the screens were found on the Android version of the messaging app, which indicates that the feature will support chatting on a secondary android phone or tablet. At the moment it is still not clear if the feature will also be made available on iOS if and when it is rolled out, however, previous feature roll outs indicate that it will. WhatsApp technically does support using your account on multiple devices already, via the Linked Devices feature. But, it only supports using computers as secondary devices. The feature is available on both iOS and Android.
The Linked Devices feature
WhatsApp launched Linked Devices as a public beta in November 2021, and has improved on it since then (however, there are still a few unsupported features, depending on what a user’s main device is). But while Linked Devices is great for desktop users, it doesn’t benefit users with secondary smartphones or tablets.
Meta has not provided any further information about the alleged new feature
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, hasn’t responded to requests for further details on its plans to expand the Linked Devices feature to support mobile devices as well.