One of WhatsApp's upcoming features this 2023 could get an official release soon.
The company behind the popular secure messaging app recently made its companion mode available to all beta testers to try out and get feedback - a step towards making the feature a reality.
WhatsApp previously released a major update for its beta version for Android that included the feature in Nov. 2022, though it was still in its very early stages of testing at the time.
WhatsApp Companion Mode Feature Details
WhatsApp's v2.23.8.2 beta version is rolling out the app's experimental companion mode to anyone enrolled in the program, allowing them to try out the feature for them to give feedback on, per 9to5Google.
The feature is a baked-in function that lets users use their accounts across multiple phones, making it somewhat similar to its already existing Linked Devices function. The difference between the two is that Linked devices allow users to link other devices to a WhatsApp account while the companion mode lets users connect multiple phones to their account.
WABetaInfo mentioned that after users link a WhatsApp account to a secondary smartphone, users can access their chats on their second device without requiring an active internet connection on the main phone. Users won't be logged out from their primary device when they sign into their secondary device when they enable companion mode, unlocking the possibility of using WhatsApp both on an Android phone and an iPhone simultaneously.
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Unfortunately, the feature only works on an Android phone or tablet as of press time as the feature only works on AndroidOS. As such, beta testers could only use an Android phone or tablet as their second smartphone when trying out the feature.
There is a way for iPhone users to link their WhatsApp account to an Android device. However, they may need to follow these steps to do so:
- Download the latest beta of WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business from the Google Play Store on your secondary Android mobile phone.
- Tap the overflow menu within the registration screen and tap "Link a device."
- Open WhatsApp on your primary device and tap Settings and Linked Devices
- Point your primary device to your secondary Android mobile phone to capture the QR code.
Beta testers should be warned that some of the companion mode's features may still not be available, such as the ability to manage broadcast lists and post a status update from the linked device.
WhatsApp Companion Mode History
WhatsApp previously released a feature known as "Link New Mobile Device" that works similarly to its companion mode; it allows users to link mobile devices in a future version of WhatsApp.
According to WABetaInfo's findings, you would need to point the camera of your main device to the screen of the device you wish to link to register the latter as a companion or secondary device through a QR code.
The companion mode will also come with a device login approval window in the future that allows users to protect their accounts more effectively.
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