https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/25/23695914/whatsapp-one-account-multiple-phones-multi-device-support Skip to main content The Verge logo.The Verge homepage * The Verge homepageThe Verge logo./ * Tech/ * Reviews/ * Science/ * Entertainment/ * MoreMenu The Verge logo. Menu * Meta/ * Tech/ * Apps WhatsApp adds option to use the same account on multiple phones WhatsApp adds option to use the same account on multiple phones / Useful if you're a business that uses WhatsApp to communicate with customers or if you use more than one phone on a regular basis for any reason. By Jon Porter / @JonPorty Apr 25, 2023, 2:00 PM UTC| Share this story * * * WhatsApp logo on a green, black, and white background Illustration: The Verge WhatsApp users are no longer restricted to using their account on just a single phone. Today, the Meta-owned messaging service is announcing that its multi-device feature -- which previously allowed you to access and send messages from additional Android tablets, browsers, or computers alongside your primary phone -- is expanding to support additional smartphones. "One WhatsApp account, now across multiple phones" is how the service describes the feature, which it says is rolling out to everyone in the coming weeks. Setting up a secondary phone to use with your WhatsApp account happens after doing a fresh install of the app. Except, rather than entering your phone number during setup and logging in as usual, you instead tap a new "link to existing account" option. This will generate a QR code to be scanned by your primary WhatsApp phone via the "link a device" option in settings. The new feature works across both iOS and Android devices. WhatsApp is pitching the feature as a useful tool for small businesses that might want multiple employees to be able to send and receive messages from the same business number via different phones. But it should be useful for anyone who uses multiple smartphones on a regular basis and wants them all to be associated with the same WhatsApp account. Although the original phone that logged in to your account is considered the "primary" device, it doesn't need to be turned on to receive messages across your other phones, Android tablets, or computers. However, if your primary device is inactive for over 14 days, WhatsApp says it'll log out your other devices. You can also manually log out linked devices from your primary phone. Once a secondary phone is linked to your WhatsApp account, you'll be able to access and send messages from either phone. Up to a year of messages will sync between devices, so you'll be able to see chat histories before sending any new messages. Messages sync across phones regardless of their operating systems, whether it's iOS to Android or vice versa. Two phones showing the same WhatsApp conversation.Two phones showing the same WhatsApp conversation. Two phones showing the same WhatsApp conversation.Two phones showing the same WhatsApp conversation. "One WhatsApp. Multiple phones." Image: Meta There have previously been workarounds to access the same WhatsApp account on multiple phones via WhatsApp Web in a browser. But the experience has never been great, and official support for the feature should be far more seamless and useful. Personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted, regardless of whether you're using the multi-device feature. Most Popular 1. Google Authenticator finally, mercifully adds account syncing for two-factor codes ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Twitter users are now wondering if mandatory blue checks are illegal ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Toyota Prius review: EV reality check ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Republicans respond to Biden reelection announcement with AI-generated attack ad ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Asus ROG Ally hands-on: Windows but tiny ----------------------------------------------------------------- Verge Deals / Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox daily. Email (required)[ ]Sign up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. From our sponsor Advertiser Content FromSponsor logo Sponsor thumbnail More from Tech * A still image of Geralt in The Witcher season 3.A still image of Geralt in The Witcher season 3. The Witcher's third season starts streaming in June * A white portable gaming handheld, a bit like a Nintendo Switch but with fixed controllers, on a stand on a wooden table with greenery in the background.A white portable gaming handheld, a bit like a Nintendo Switch but with fixed controllers, on a stand on a wooden table with greenery in the background. Asus ROG Ally hands-on: Windows but tiny * Advertiser Content FromSponsor logo The Verge logo. * Terms of Use * Privacy Notice * Cookie Policy * Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Info * Licensing FAQ * Accessibility * Platform Status * How We Rate and Review Products * Contact * Tip Us * Community Guidelines * About * Ethics Statement The Verge is a vox media network * Advertise with us * Jobs @ Vox Media (c) 2023 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved