WhatsApp is releasing the companion mode for all beta testers on Android
After releasing the companion mode to a limited number of users on the beta version, WhatsApp is finally rolling out the ability to link an existing WhatsApp account to an additional mobile phone for all beta testers who install the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android available on the Google Play Store.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Companion mode |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.2 and newer versions of the app are marked as compatible updates. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature has been released to all beta testers. Be sure to install the beta version to get this feature. It may take up to 24 hours for the feature to be available for all beta testers. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp news of the week: bottom navigation bar, locked chats, and channels! |
COMPANION MODE
In November 2022, we announced a major update of WhatsApp beta for Android that included the companion mode. This feature, an extension of multi-device support, has been designed to allow users to link their existing WhatsApp account to another mobile phone. After linking an existing WhatsApp account to a secondary mobile phone, users can finally access their chats on the second device without requiring an active Internet connection on the main phone. Initially, the companion mode was only available to a select group of beta testers but, thanks to the recent updates of WhatsApp beta for Android, we can confirm that it is now available for all beta testers!
At the moment, the second device can only be an Android phone (or a tablet) as the companion mode is not currently available on WhatsApp for iOS. However, if you have an iPhone, you can already link a second Android phone as the feature is available on Android. In order to link a secondary Android mobile device, you need to follow these steps:
- On your secondary Android mobile phone, download the latest beta of WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business from the Google Play Store.
- Tap the overflow menu within the registration screen and you should finally see the option “Link a device”.
- Open WhatsApp on your primary device, tap Settings > Linked devices.
- Point this device to your secondary mobile phone to capture the QR Code.
When you link your WhatsApp account to a new mobile phone, your chat history will be synced across all your linked devices. Although the companion mode has been released for all beta testers, some features may still not be available, such as the ability to manage broadcast lists and post a status update from the linked device.
It is important to note that you can link up to four devices at once, meaning that you can link more than two mobile phones to your WhatsApp account. In addition, your personal messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted even when using WhatsApp from a linked mobile phone: whenever someone sends you a message, it is sent to all your devices while maintaining encryption. If you want to get additional information on how multi-device works, you can read the updated whitepaper.
The companion is available for all beta testers that install the latest Android beta version of WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business. We will let you know when the companion mode is available for beta testers on WhatsApp for iOS so that they can link another iPhone as a second device.
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