WhatsApp rolls out the ability to use one account across multiple phones

2 min readUpdated May 26, 2025Apr 27, 20238:03 AM

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WhatsApp has recently introduced a new feature that allows users to use their WhatsApp account on multiple devices. This feature has been long-awaited and is now finally available for both Android and iOS users.

Previously, users could only use their WhatsApp account on one Android or iOS smartphone at a time, but with the ability to extend it to your tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. This required that your smartphone be your main WhatsApp device and the others would be linked via WhatsApp Web or the official WhatsApp Mac app. This solution worked great for many, however, you still could not use the app in more than one phone and needed to unlink and relink your account any time you wanted to switch mobile devices, which was inconvenient and time-consuming for many users.

Now, with the new update recently announced via the WhatsApp blog, you will be able to switch between devices without any hassle seamlessly. This is great news for those that frequently switch between phones, such as between Android and iOS, or who have both a business and a personal device.

To use this feature, you will still need to designate a primary phone, just as you’ve been able to do in the past with up to four devices, except now one of those linked devices can be a secondary or backup phone. On your secondary phone, open WhatsApp and tap Agree & Continue, followed by selecting “link this device to an existing account.” This will provide you with a QR code that will need to be scanned by your primary phone.

One of the great things about this feature is that your messages and other data are end-to-end encrypted and stored locally on each device. This means your conversations are still private and secure, even when using multiple devices. However, there are some limitations.

A few of the limitations include the lack of live location and status features on companion phones. Additionally, if you fail to use your primary phone for over 14 days, your companion phones will be logged out as they depend on the primary phone for the connection. Lastly, linked companion phones will always show the message “This is a linked device. Learn more” in Settings.

This update has already begun to roll out to users worldwide, and should be accessible to everyone in the next weeks. In addition, over the next several weeks, WhatsApp will be rolling out a new way to link companion devices, which involves the use of a one-time code instead of a QR code.

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What this means

WhatsApp's long-awaited multi-device functionality significantly enhances user experience, especially for retail executives juggling multiple handsets. This move by WhatsApp, which already dominates communication in many Asian markets, puts considerable pressure on regional messaging apps and traditional enterprise communication tools to offer comparable smooth integration and security. Unlike Panpuri or Tiffany & Co.'s physical store expansions, this is a digital play to deepen user engagement. The security of end-to-end encryption on each device mitigates data privacy concerns, a key differentiator. The primary risk lies in the 14-day inactivity logout, which could inconvenience infrequent users. We will monitor the global rollout's completion and the introduction of one-time code linking in the coming weeks.

Aiko Tanaka · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What are the main benefits of this new multi-device feature for WhatsApp users?

Users can now smoothly switch between multiple phones, addressing previous inconveniences. This is particularly useful for those who frequently swap between Android and iOS or manage separate business and personal devices.

Are there any current limitations when using WhatsApp on companion phones?

Yes, companion phones will not support live location or status features. Also, if the primary phone is not used for over 14 days, all linked companion devices will automatically be logged out.

How do users set up a secondary phone to work with their existing WhatsApp account?

On the secondary phone, users must select 'link this device to an existing account' after agreeing to the terms. This generates a QR code that needs to be scanned by the primary phone to establish the connection.

Will messages remain secure and private when using WhatsApp across multiple devices?

Yes, the feature maintains end-to-end encryption for messages and other data. All conversations are stored locally on each device, ensuring continued privacy and security.

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