About two weeks ago, it was discovered in the WhatsApp code that the messenger would soon have multi-device compatibility. Now the feature is being rolled out to some beta users for the first time.
According to WABetaInfo becomes Multi-device compatibility has been rolled out to additional iOS beta testers under version 2.21.150.11. However, not all beta participants will have access.
You can check if Multi-Device is enabled for your WhatsApp account by opening the app Settings -> Linked Devices; if you see a new line named Multi-Device, it means you can join the test.
Once this feature is available to everyone, users will be able to use WhatsApp on four different devices and a mobile phone, meaning you can use WhatsApp on Mac even if your iPhone isn't turned on or connected to the internet. Multi-device compatibility will allow users to use WhatsApp Web, desktop version and Portal without the main phone. It is believed that the iPad version of WhatsApp will also work in this way.
WhatsApp multi-device compatibility: Blog points out problems
WABetainfo also warns that this beta version may not yet work properly with multi-device compatibility. The blog explains:
- Pinned chats: they are not synced immediately, so you have to search for them manually the first time to view them.
- Live locations: they may not be visible on linked devices.
- If you're in the WhatsApp Business beta program, your business name and labels cannot be changed on the web and desktop apps.
- You can't chat and call people who have an old version of WhatsApp on their phone from the web/desktop apps. Just tell them to update WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or App Store.
A few weeks ago, Mark Zuckerberg and Will Cathcart confirmed that a native version of WhatsApp would be released on the iPad. However, no specific date was given. (Photo by Unsplash / Alexander Shatov)
