What you need to know
- WhatsApp’s latest beta version 2.22.24.18 introduces its Companion Mode for testing.
- Users can experiment with linking a second smartphone or Android tablet to their primary WhatsApp account.
- Despite being limited to four linked devices, users’ personal messages and calls remain supported by the app’s end-to-end encryption when sent to the linked phone or tablet.
WhatsApp is starting to test a new feature for mobile that web users should already be familiar with.
According to WABetaInfo, the latest beta of WhatsApp (version 2.22.24.18) brings tests for its new companion mode for smartphones. This opens up the ability to attach Android tablets as well, as spotted by Android Police. In this test build, users in WhatsApp beta can go to the registration screen and look for the “Link device” option in the three-dot menu.
The addition of an option for WhatsApp users to link a second phone to their primary device was expected for a long time. It was previously teased that the link would sync your chat history across multiple smartphone devices and now we’re seeing it appear through new experimental builds. Through the beta, linking your WhatsApp account to another phone or tablet will sync your chat history.
Personal messages and calls are still backed by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, even if you’re using your account on another linked phone.
Through in-app instructions, the Meta-owned messaging app guides users to download the app on their other devices and scan a QR code from their main phone to properly link the new device.
However, there are some features that are not currently active in beta testing of this feature, such as the ability to view live locations, and the ability to manage your broadcast lists and stickers.
WhatsApp has set its linked device cap at four, so users have to choose which phone or tablet they want to link to host their account, separate from their main one.
This companion app feature is rolling out to beta testers who have downloaded the WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store. More users should start getting it for testing in the coming weeks. WABetaInfo says that if you are still not seeing this new feature as a beta tester, you will probably have to wait for the upcoming test build.
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