This is a real revolution for WhatsApp: with the improved multi-device mode, you can finally use the same account on several smartphones simultaneously! A highly anticipated feature that simplifies everyday messaging use.
Use your account WhatsApp on several devices simultaneously is not an easy thing, far from it! Indeed, given that a WhatsApp account was until now limited to use on a single smartphone, the more than two billion active users of the application had to link their phone number to an account in order to use it. to use. However, this is not very practical for those who have two smartphones – and therefore two different telephone numbers – but wish to keep a single WhatsApp account, bringing together all their contacts and all their conversations.
Multi-device mode had partly solved the problem. Since January 2023, you could associate up to four additional devices with the same account without it being necessary to maintain a link with the mobile – no longer need to keep the phone to which the account is attached nearby and keep it connected to the Internet . However, until now this only concerned computers using the Desktop version of WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Web online service (read our practical sheet). Impossible to use instant messaging on several smartphones! But that was before. In a blog post published on April 25, 2023, Meta announced that a WhatsApp account can now be used on four different devices, including several smartphones, thanks to a new function which, after a beta of a few days, will be gradually deployed in the coming weeks to of the general public around the world. Please note, on tablets, you must access WhatsApp Web from a browser, making sure to activate the display of the web page in “computer version”, since there is no compatible mobile application.
WhatsApp multi-device mode: one account for four devices
With this improvement to WhatsApp’s cross-device mode, users can switch between phones without disconnecting and resume their conversations where they left off. Additionally, each paired device connects to WhatsApp independently. This ensures that personal messages, media and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Additionally, if the primary device is inactive for a long period of time, WhatsApp automatically disconnects from all associated devices. Moreover, the chat history is also synchronized across different devices.
In the coming weeks, Meta also plans to launch another way to link one’s WhatsApp account to other devices. The user will be able to enter their phone number on WhatsApp Web to receive a one-time code on their smartphone to activate the account on another device, rather than having to scan a QR code.
Multi-device mode: how to use WhatsApp on multiple devices?
To be able to use the same WhatsApp account on several devices, you must first associate them with the account created on your smartphone. A simple and quick procedure.
► To take advantage of this new function, you must first update the WhatsApp application on your main smartphone to be sure you have the most recent version.
Download the latest version of WhatsApp
► Once the application is updated on your main smartphone, launch WhatsApp and go to the app settings – by pressing the three little dots at the top right on Android or on the gear at the bottom on iPhone–, then go to the menu Connected devices.
► Press the button OK to activate the function.
► Then press Connect a device.
► Now go to the device you want to connect to your WhatsApp account, whether it is a smartphone, computer or tablet. All that remains is to follow the procedure described in our practical sheet to link this new device to your account.
► Remember, if you want to connect a tablet, be sure to use your web browser by opting for the “computer version” display from the latter’s settings (here Firefox on an Android tablet).
► All that remains is to follow the same procedure to scan the QR code displayed on the screen.
► If you want to connect another smartphone, simply scan the QR code on your secondary device, and that’s it!