WhatsApp revealed a highly-awaited feature last month, multi-device assistance. Mark Zuckerberg was the first to announce the feature. Facebook-owned WhatsApp began rolling out multidevice support in July 2021 for beta users. WhatsApp multidevice support means that you can use your primary WhatsApp account on at minimum 4 other devices.
This article will explain how to install WhatsApp on four different devices. You can also use the same WhatsApp username. Before we continue, let’s look at what the WhatsApp multi device feature is.
What is WhatsApp Multidevice Feature?
As you may know, WhatsApp is only available on desktops and browsers. To activate the app, you must have your smartphone with you. Also, both devices must have active internet connection at all times. WhatsApp multidevice feature allows you to use one WhatsApp account on at most four other devices, including WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Desktop Windows for macOS, WhatsApp Desktop Desktop for Windows and WhatsApp Portal. This is even if your smartphone does not have internet connectivity.
This means you can access WhatsApp on all four of your linked devices even if the battery has died. These actions, which include sending any image or message, will be carried out by the companion devices and not the primary device (smartphone, in an earlier case). You cannot use the same WhatsApp Account on two different phones.
WhatsApp used the phone as its primary device and all other platforms (such as WhatsApp Web) had to rely upon this connection. WhatsApp now allows four users to share the same WhatsApp profile on all four devices. In a blog the company said that the new feature was designed to protect its privacy, end-to–end encryption and enable the new experience. WhatsApp stated that WhatsApp needed to rethink WhatsApp’s architecture in order to provide multi-device support. WhatsApp not only protects your privacy but also makes sure all your data remains synchronised across devices. This includes chat archives, starred messaging, contact names and more.
How to use the exact same WhatsApp account on four devices
WhatsApp Multi-Device, currently only available to beta users of WhatsApp, will become available to all other users within the next few months. This is how to use WhatsApp multidevice.
- You can sign up for WhatsApp beta versions on Android and iOS to use stable WhatsApp versions.
- After you’ve signed up for the beta programme you can open WhatsApp from your smartphone.
- Now tap the three-dot icon, located at right top of app
- You will see the “” option. You’ll need to tap it.
- After you have tapped on it, you will be able to see the Multidevice Beta’option. Tap on it to activate’Member Beta’.
- WhatsApp will display a message after you sign up to the beta program. It will tell you that your companion devices must be linked again by scanning the QR Code.
- Open WhatsApp Web, Desktop or App on your Mac or Computer.
- Through the phone, scan the QR code shown on WhatsApp Web app or Desktop app. Once the scanning has been completed, your WhatsApp account can be linked with your phone’s application. That’s it. This allows you to use the same WhatsApp account both on web and desktop without your primary phone having an active internet connection.
After you have completed all the steps, a list will be displayed which lists the devices that you have associated your WhatsApp account to. You can click on any device linked to your WhatsApp account and opt out of using it.
WhatsApp Multi Device Feature Limitation
Beta testing of this new feature is underway. It has its limitations. WhatsApp users using an outdated version can’t send or call messages from the internet, desktop, or Portal. Due to the fact that this feature is still in beta, it may affect the performance or quality of the service. WhatsApp has listed below some limitations.
- Live location view via companion devices
- Pin chats to WhatsApp Web and Desktop
- WhatsApp Web and Desktop enable you to view, add, or reset group invitations. You will need to use the phone instead.
- The linked device will not allow you to communicate with or call someone who is using an outdated version WhatsApp.
- WhatsApp Desktop and Facebook Portal allow you to call connected devices that aren’t part of the multi device beta.
- Other WhatsApp accounts that you have on your Portal won’t work unless they have joined multi-device beta.
- WhatsApp Business users have no access to their business name or labels on WhatsApp Web or Desktop.