The new feature for popular messaging platform, WhatsApp, could finally allow users to chat with the same account on multiple phones or on a tablet called "Register Device as Companion."
A picture taken on March 23, 2022 in Moscow shows the US instant messaging software Whatsapp logo on a smartphone screen.
"Register Device as Companion"
The application seems to be working on this feature, since a screen found in a beta version of WhatsApp published by the site WABetaInfo, found that it provides instructions for registering your device as a "companion" through scanning a code with your main phone, but currently there is still no actual code to scan.
Meanwhile, a screen also discovered in a previous beta has shown that devices have the ability to sync recent messages, despite their end-to-end encryption. This screen and the "Register Device as Companion" both guides users on how to use Whatsapp on another device
These screens have been found in the Android version of the app, which could indicate that the feature is indeed supporting chatting on a secondary phone or tablet.
"Multi-device 2.0"
WhatsApp has enabled support for desktops and laptops with the aid of WhatsApp Web, this lets users access the messenger not just on their mobile phones.
But as per the report of WABetaInfo, there will be more devices added to the its list, although for now it has only included Android devices like a smartphone or a tablet.
This functionality has actually been hinted at last year, when the first evidence of Whatsapp working on "multi-device 2.0" surfaced, this feature allowed the user to synce their message with other mobile Android devices.
From the early screenshots of the feature, a splash screen pops up during the setup indicating the user that the secondary WhatsApp installation is currently downloading their most recent messages.
WhatsApp's recent update has also allowed its users to have five linked devices, including their primary phone. It is worth noting that the WhatsApp account should only be linked to one phone number, so linking the service to multiple phones would be impossible.
But this update has been particularly helpful since it makes it easier for users to contact people without having the primary phone to be online just to send messages from a desktop or the browser.
When Will it be Available?
As of now, the companion feature will need the user to point their main device to the screen of the secondary device so that it can link them both by scanning the QR Code. When the linking of the devices are done, the user can finally start using the app on another phone.
It was unclear if the functionality is only limited to classic secondary devices like tablets and Chromebooks but the recent details point at support for mobile phones.
With no further updates, Whatsapp might still be working on the functionality to expand more of its options.
According to WABetaInfo, a release date on when Whatsapp will enable this functionality for every user is still unknown, but they assured that they will publish a new article on their website once the feature is finally accessible.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
