WhatsApp To Launch Long-awaited ‘Multiple Device’ Update

WhatsApp, one of the world's best and most popular encrypted messaging apps, has finally added one of its most sought-after features – the ability to sign into the same account on multiple phones.

Meta has announced that the app will support logging into an account on multiple smartphones, while still maintaining end-to-end encryption on private messages.

The introduction of this feature will allow WhatsApp to facilitate better communication for business-to-consumer commerce by providing multiple people access to a business account. Alternatively, users may also switch between multiple devices for personal use and convenience.

The update, expected to roll out in the coming weeks, will require users to install the app on a second device and tap ‘link to existing account’ upon setting up the application. Once the QR code has been generated, the user will be prompted on their original device to open their WhatsApp settings and select ‘Link a device’ to scan the QR code.

As a security measure, WhatsApp will sign out users from their secondary devices if the application has been unused for more than 14 days on the primary device.

This new multi-device feature is one of the many handy features added to WhatsApp so far this year, including longer group chat names and WhatsApp contact editing.