Cross-platform synchronization across multiple platforms is fast becoming a must-have add-on for WhatsApp and other similar services. You can now use your WhatsApp account on up to four devices without keeping your phone connected to the internet. It’s a very welcome change and a relief for many.
With WhatsApp multi-device, you can use WhatsApp on your phone and up to four other devices. These other devices include WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp for Windows and Mac, and the Facebook portal. But unfortunately, you cannot use the same WhatsApp account on two mobiles with the same mobile number.
How does it work? What are the current limitations? Do not worry. We have all the answers for you.
The current WhatsApp multi-device functionality is still in beta, but choose the beta channel and give it a try.
How to Activate WhatsApp Multi-Device on Phone
To use this feature, you must have an Android phone for now. WhatsApp has not yet activated it for iOS users. If you have an Android phone, follow the steps below to enable WhatsApp multi-device.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu at the top and select Connected devices.
Stage 3: WhatsApp will ask you to try new improvements. Press OK.
Step 4: Tap on multi-device beta and select Join BETA from the menu below. (In the future, you won’t need to follow this step when it’s part of stable build and general release.)
Step 5: Go back to the Connected devices menu and you will see the Joined status for Multi-device beta functionality.
This much. Now you are ready to enjoy multi-device on WhatsApp. Let’s set it up.
How to Set Up Multi-Device on WhatsApp
You have successfully registered to use the multi-device functionality for WhatsApp. Follow the steps below to set up with WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
Stage 1: Download and install the WhatsApp app on Windows or Mac.
You can also visit WhatsApp Web from any browser and install it there. For example, we are using WhatsApp Web in the screenshots below.
Step 2: WhatsApp will ask you to scan a QR code.
Stage 3: Open WhatsApp on your Android phone and tap the three-dot menu at the top.
Step 4: Select Connected devices and tap on Connect a device.
Step 5: Scan the QR code on the desktop using the built-in scanner on the phone.
Give it a few minutes. It will take some time for WhatsApp to organize your end-to-end encrypted messages.
Now you can go ahead and disable internet on your Android phone. WhatsApp desktop will continue to work as before, which was not possible before.
WhatsApp Multi-Device Limitations
The multi-device functionality is still in beta. Therefore, some functions will not work as expected. WhatsApp has listed the currently unsupported features. Check the list below.
- You cannot check live location on assistive devices.
- Pin chat on WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
- Join, view and reset group invitations from WhatsApp Web and Desktop. You will have to use your phone instead.
- Messaging or calling with someone using an older version of WhatsApp will not work from your connected device.
- Making calls from Portal or WhatsApp Desktop to connected devices that are not registered with the multi-device beta.
- Other WhatsApp accounts on your portal will not work unless these accounts participate in the multi-device beta.
- WhatsApp Business users cannot edit business names or tags from WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
If the aforementioned features are required for you, we recommend going back to the stable version. For this, you need to exit the WhatsApp multi-device beta program. Here’s how to do it.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp on your Android phone and go to the Connected devices menu.
Step 2: Select Multi-device beta and tap Leave beta from the menu below.
WhatsApp will log you out of all connected devices and you must connect to WhatsApp Web or desktop again. This time, you’re using the old way to establish a WhatsApp connection on desktop, meaning you have to keep your phone internet-enabled for a seamless experience.
About Security and Privacy
WhatsApp has completely overhauled the core architecture of how messaging on the platform works so that the multi-device functionality works flawlessly.
Here each device has its own identity key. WhatsApp encrypts each message individually using the dual encryption session established with each device. Also, messages are not stored on servers after they are delivered.
You can read a dedicated WhatsApp blog to find out how the multi-device functionality came to life.
WhatsApp Multi-Device Usage
We connected the WhatsApp Android app with WhatsApp Web and then disabled the internet connection on the phone. Multi-device worked flawlessly across devices without any lag to sync new incoming messages from desktop to connected phone.
However, you can only view messages up to three months old. If you try to look beyond, WhatsApp will ask you to use a mobile phone to view the full chat history.
Not being able to pin a chat conversation can frustrate those who need to keep the most important topics at the top. WhatsApp also doesn’t sync star stickers from phone to desktop.
Use WhatsApp on the Web Without a Phone
With the multi-device functionality of WhatsApp, the company is one step closer to achieving true multi-device syncing between multiple phones. The foundation is laid first. It will be interesting to see how much longer the company allows users to use the same WhatsApp account on multiple phones at the same time.
Next: Having trouble with WhatsApp Web? Read the post below to know why it is not working on how to fix it.
