WhatsApp may soon allow multiple devices per account
As reported by WABetaInfo, the Facebook-owned company could be getting one of its most anticipated updates soon: Multi-device functionality for WhatsApp. Here’s what we know.
Multi-device functionality: What is it?
Based on the review section of the chat app download on practically any store platform, one thing is clear: Users have been asking for multi-device functionality for years.
In short, it would be the ability to use the same account across multiple devices, without having to install separate apps such as Business WhatsApp or WhatsApp Web.
Rumour has it that the development team will likely introduce this feature in the near future. The WABetaInfo team first discovered hints of this feature on the beta platform back in November 2019.
The team also confirmed that “WhatsApp is giving the maximum priority for bringing the support to multiple devices using the same account and Payments”.
Testing
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 24, 2020
When someone adds a new device in his WhatsApp account, you will be notified because encryption keys change.
Available in future for iOS and Android! pic.twitter.com/WqrM6cRHWW
WhatsApp is giving the maximum priority for bringing the support to multiple devices using the same account and Payments.
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 31, 2020
While tinkering with the latest WhatsApp beta APK, they uncovered evidence of an incoming “multiple mobile device support” update.
You would finally be able to use your WhatsApp account one more than one phone, as well as your tablet or phablet. How is this different from using WhatsApp Web, I hear you ask?
Multi-device functionality vs WhatsApp Web
For starters, the new multi-device feature would allow users to verify their accounts in the native WhatsApp messaging app across multiple devices.
The function is still in the development stage so it’s not clear yet how it would work. I imagine it would function similar to WA Web, with one primary device needing to remain online for other apps to connect.
Although, Telegram and Telegram Web uses an entirely different system to sync messages across the app and a web page, so perhaps we WhatsApp could shake things up a bit.
How would it work?
One possibility is that you’d receive a security notification once your account is accessed from a non-primary device. You know how Google and Facebook warn you of logins from unverified devices? Similar to that.
Additionally, WhatsApp could also allow the app to connect to the service independent of the other apps, the same way Facebook Messenger does.
The downside
While this new feature seems amazing, there are always downfalls of some sort or the other.
WhatsApp already has an issue with attackers gaining control of victims’ accounts via social hacking, and multi-device functionality could only complicate matters.
Also read – Five things you need to stop doing on WhatsApp
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