The absence of cross-device texting has always been a hindrance for WhatsApp. The option to send and receive synchronised messages across various devices is now being rolled out by the messaging app.
There has been much speculation as to why WhatsApp does not permit users to log in on various devices given the abundance other messaging services that do so. Although end-to-end encryption is a key feature of the app, it has obviously been possible for some time.
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This has long been possible thanks to programmes like Telegram, but it might be annoying to want to use WhatsApp on a new device only to discover that you have to validate it, effectively deactivating the other.
This obviously refers to the capability of using numerous phones with the same account. With the user’s phone acting as a sort of host, WhatsApp introduced the ability to check in on other devices like a PC last year.
With WhatsApp’s recent rollout of the feature that allows several phones to be used simultaneously with the same WhatsApp account, that use case is now increasing.
Although there have been numerous rumours and teases about this feature in the past, its formal deployment gives customers more assurance about it.
According to WhatsApp, users will be able to link up to four additional devices other than the original device, presumably across both Android and iOS. Those phones connect to servers independently from each other, which cuts the ties of needing the original device to be active.
One stipulation that will be implemented is a sort of failsafe wherein if the primary device is inactive for a long period of time, all companion devices will be logged out. That’s certainly better than having your previous device deactivated whenever you log in on a new one.
With that, the company is also bringing in a new login alternative, which lets you enter your phone number for a one-time code, which will allow you to link extra devices.
WhatsApp notes that the update is already being rolled out globally, with availability hitting everyone “in the coming weeks.”
