The popular instant messaging app, WhatsApp has been intensively working on a multi-device feature that would enable users to link their accounts to secondary devices and continue to send and receive messages without the primary smartphone online. This feature is now formally launching to all WhatsApp users in the most recent update of WhatsApp on both Android and iOS versions.
WhatsApp Multi-Device Feature Frees Us from a Must Online Primary Device
Prior to this, both Android and iOS users had to make sure their primary smartphone was still connected to the internet before they could conduct a conversation on their linked web browser. When enabling the multi-device feature on the smartphone, users are required to opt into the feature – specified as still in “Beta”.
Read more: WhatsApp Soon to Launch Multi-Device Support 2.0 on iPads and Other Tablets
Once approved, both Android and iOS users will be unlinked from all devices before re-linking to a new device. Once linked, it mostly functions the same way, except the users will be able to chat regardless of whether their main smartphone is online or not.
Users Can Now Access WhatsApp in Any Situation
Furthermore, messages and calls are still end-to-end encrypted on both Android and iOS. Now, linked devices will be capable to receive and send messages up to 14 days after the main smartphone goes offline through the multi-device feature. This might be beneficial in a situation where a user has lost his smartphone temporarily and needs to stay in contact with people through WhatsApp.
However, there is a restriction on iOS that does not allow users to delete messages or conversation threads from a linked device. The other limitation is that users still cannot link a tablet or secondary smartphone. Moreover, to check out the feature, update to the most advanced version of WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu. Then tap “Linked devices” and enable the feature.
Source: GSMARENA
