WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to chat on multiple phones or phones and tablets from the same account, according to the screen found by the site in the beta version of the app. WABetaInfo. The screen prompts you to register the device you’re using as a “companion” by scanning a code with your main phone—though there doesn’t currently appear to be an actual code to scan.
A screen found in the previous beta shows that devices may gain the ability to sync recent messages, even if they are end-to-end encrypted. That screen, combined with a “register device as a companion” screen that instructs users to use WhatsApp on another device, adds compelling evidence that the feature is working.
Both the screens are found in the Android version of the app, which means that the feature will support chatting on a secondary phone or tablet. It’s not clear at the moment whether the feature will be available on iOS as well and when it will launch, though there is a hinting precedent. WhatsApp technically already supports using your account on multiple devices through the Linked Devices feature, which currently only supports using a computer as a secondary device. This feature is available on both iOS and Android.
WhatsApp rolled out to Linked Devices as a public beta in November 2021, and has since improved (though there are still some unsupported features, depending on what your main device is). But while the Linked device is handy for desktop users, it doesn’t do much for those with a secondary smartphone or tablet. WhatsApp’s parent company Meta did not immediately respond. ledgeRequest for more information regarding your plans to expand the Linked Devices feature to support mobile devices as well.
