WhatsApp, the instant messaging service, is in the process of beta testing a new feature designed to streamline how users access their messages across multiple devices. The experimental option, referred to as a new ‘friend mode,’ aims to allow two smartphones to run the same WhatsApp account in parallel, letting a single account be active on more than one device at the same time. This is an important evolution for users who switch between devices or rely on different phones for work and personal life, and it signals WhatsApp’s continued focus on seamless cross-device usability (via WABetaInfo).
According to reports from WABetaInfo, the companion mode is being explored during a trial period alongside Android updates such as 2.22.24.18. The feature appears for some users when they attempt to link a WhatsApp account on a new device, suggesting a broader rollout that could eventually become a standard option on compatible builds. This step-by-step linking experience mirrors the familiar pattern users know from WhatsApp Web, indicating a thoughtful extension of the existing multi-device framework. (via WABetaInfo)
To enable the capability to connect two smartphones, the process resembles the established method used to pair a secondary device. On the additional handset, users select the option to Connect a device from the menu that appears after additional device setup screens prompt for login with the phone number. This approach keeps the workflow intuitive for current users while expanding how accounts can be accessed and synchronized across devices.
Once the Connect a device action is chosen, a QR code is generated on the main handset. This code is scanned from the primary device to establish a link between the two phones and the WhatsApp account. Once linked, the account becomes active on both devices and can be used interchangeably in either handset, providing a flexible and resilient access model that mirrors the convenience of desktop scenarios while leveraging the power of mobile-first authentication.
As with the PC experience, companion mode does not tether users to a single device; it enables continued use of the account on both phones independently. However, users should expect that ongoing chats, media, and settings remain synchronized across devices, preserving continuity and ensuring no message history is lost in transit between the paired devices. This symmetry of access reflects WhatsApp’s aim to deliver consistent functionality regardless of which smartphone is in use at any moment.
WhatsApp notes that a single account can connect to up to four devices simultaneously under this expanded multi-device framework, allowing more than two mobile devices to stay in sync with one profile. End-to-end encryption remains intact in companion mode, so the privacy guarantees that users rely on for messages and calls stay in place even when messages traverse multiple devices. This alignment with encryption standards underscores the platform’s commitment to security while offering greater flexibility.
The new capability introduced by the company is part of a broader beta iteration that also enables using the same WhatsApp account across mobile and tablet devices, thanks to recent beta updates for Android. While labeled as a technology preview in development, the feature holds the promise of redefining how people manage conversations on a single account across a mixed device ecosystem (via WABetaInfo).