WhatsApp users can link multiple phones to their WhatsApp account starting today, the team behind the encrypted messaging app said in a post Tuesday. An app update will add this highly requested ask from users and simplify the linking process, WhatsApp said.
“Each linked phone connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted, and if your primary device is inactive for a long period, we automatically log you out of all companion devices,” reads the blog post.
Encrypted messaging apps are a popular way to keep conversations private. In addition to WhatsApp, owner Meta also offers encrypted chats on Facebook Messenger.
To link companion devices, users will receive a one-time code to the primary phone number. WhatsApp called this alternative approach to account linking “more accessible” for users, compared with scanning a QR code, the former way to link accounts.
The update has started rolling out globally, and users can expect to see the new feature on their app in the coming weeks, WhatsApp said.
The change will benefit anyone who uses WhatsApp on multiple devices, the WhatsApp team said, but it highlighted that small businesses can have employees use their respective devices to communicate with customers under the same WhatsApp Business account.
WhatsApp implemented multi-device features last year that allowed people to connect up to four additional nonphone devices to one WhatsApp account for seamless communication. Today’s move brings phones into the mix.
