WhatsApp might get (limited) multi-device support soon

While WhatsApp rolled out multi-device support back in July 2021, the feature only allowed users to link a non-phone device, so a WhatsApp account from a smartphone could only be used on WhatsApp for Web, Desktop, and Portal. Now, multi-device is heading for smartphones, but the latest beta is not there yet, as it only allows to link the smartphone account to a tablet.

The aforementioned feature, called Companion mode, is available for select beta testers who are running WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.21.6. Since this is a feature still under development, it doesn't work as it should yet. In other words, the WhatsApp account from a smartphone can only be linked to an Android tablet now, so the use of a secondary handset is not in the cards yet.

One thing that must be highlighted is that Companion mode already allows cross-platform linking. This means that a WhatsApp account on an iPhone can be linked with an Android tablet. After syncing, the tablet will be able to use the WhatsApp account even if the iPhone is no longer connected to the internet (same thing goes when the smartphone is Android-based).   

There is no timeline available for the release of the Companion mode feature to the stable channel, but it is quite likely to have it up and running in the coming months thanks to the ever-increasing competition in the shape of apps like Telegram and Signal that WhatsApp has been facing for a while.

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