In the past, you were limited to using WhatsApp on only one phone at a time—it wasn’t possible to use one WhatsApp account on multiple phones. If you wanted to access your account on another phone, you had to log out from one device and log into WhatsApp on the new one. While it was possible to log into your WhatsApp account on your PC via WhatsApp Web, this didn’t solve the problem if you needed to use multiple phones.
However, in April 2023, WhatsApp introduced a new feature called companion mode. This feature lets you log into your WhatsApp account on multiple smartphones. In this guide, we’ll share the steps you need to take if you want to enjoy using the same WhatsApp account on more than one mobile device.
What You Need to Know
- You are only allowed to connect up to four devices, with your primary phone being the main device.
- Secondary phones don’t have all the features of the primary device. For instance, you won’t be able to post statuses or access channels and updates from these secondary phones. However, you will be able to send texts and make audio or video calls.
- Both your primary and secondary devices must have the latest version of the app installed.
- The process for linking WhatsApp to a second device is slightly different depending on whether you’re using Android or iPhone. Follow the specific steps for your device to ensure a smooth setup.
- It is not a requirement that the primary device stays online for secondary devices to access WhatsApp. However, your linked devices will be logged out automatically if you don’t open WhatsApp on your primary device for 14 days.
- Each linked phone operates independently and maintains the same end-to-end encryption.
How to Use One WhatsApp Number on Two Different Phones
Now that you’re aware that it’s possible to use the same WhatsApp number on multiple phones, let’s walk through the steps on how to do it on both Android and iPhone. Before we get started, make sure your WhatsApp app is up-to-date to avoid any issues during the setup. You also need to ensure that both devices have internet access.
On Android:
- Download WhatsApp on your secondary phone and open it
- Don’t log in to an existing account. Instead, navigate to the menu at the top-right corner and choose “Link a Companion Device”
- A QR code will appear—you are required to scan it using your primary device
- Now, open WhatsApp on your primary device
- Tap on the three dots at the top-right corner
- Choose “Linked Devices” and tap on “Link a Device
- A QR code scanner will appear on the screen
- Point the QR code scanner to the QR code on the secondary device to scan it
- Alternatively, you can link the devices via phone number. Just enter your primary device’s phone number on the secondary device to get a unique code, then enter the code on your primary device.
- That’s it! Your devices will start synchronizing.
On iPhone:
To use the same WhatsApp account on multiple iPhones, you need to link a new device to your primary phone:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version on both phones
- Open WhatsApp on the primary phone and go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device
- Open WhatsApp on the secondary device and select “Connect as Companion Device”
- A QR code will appear on the companion device
- On the primary phone, scan the QR code that appears on the companion device’s screen
- Alternatively, enter your phone number on the companion device. A one-time code will be sent to your primary device.
- If you’re using biometric security, follow the instructions on the screen. Otherwise, enter your phone’s unlock pin
- Once linked, you can begin using WhatsApp on your new phone. You will be able to access all your chats, media, and calls.
Benefits of Using One WhatsApp Account on Multiple Phones
- You can use one WhatsApp account on two or more phones without signing out—you’ll find your chats right where you left them regardless of the device you are using.
- If you are a small business owner with multiple employees, this feature enables you to respond to customers from the same WhatsApp Business account.
- All media and chat history are synchronized across devices, so you won’t have to worry about losing any important information.
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