WhatsApp Testing Companion Mode on Android; Do Not Disturb, Tablet Client in the Works: Reports
WhatsApp has currently made these features available to a limited number of beta testers.
Advertisement
Highlights
- WhatsApp may allow users to link up to four devices
- This feature does not support the ability to view live locations
- WhatsApp will now be able to notify which calls were missed due to DND
WhatsApp is expected to make these features widely available in the coming weeks
Photo Credit: Bloomberg
WhatsApp has started rolling out a beta update for Android users that allows them to link another smartphone to their respective accounts. The feature is currently limited to some beta testers and could be made available to a wider user base in the coming weeks. It is said to sync your chat across multiple devices; however, some features are still not available in companion mode. In addition, the Meta-owned platform is also testing the ability to link WhatsApp on Android tablets and the Do Not Disturb feature on smartphones.
According to a report by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp for Android beta v2.22.24.18 update introduces the companion mode for smartphones. This feature is said to allow users to link their existing devices to another smartphone simultaneously.
Photo Credit: WABetainfo
Users can check for the 'Link a device' option in the registration screen of the app to access this feature. It currently allows users to sync chats across up to four devices. Your personal messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted if you use the app from a secondary device.
Advertisement
However, the ability to view live locations and manage broadcast lists/ stickers is still not available in this update. Another report mentions that the WhatsApp for Android beta update v2.22.24.18 gives users the ability to link Android tablets to an existing WhatsApp account. This option is said to be included under the 'Link a device' menu as 'Linked devices beta'. The final release date of these features is still unknown.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp is said to be also working on making the app Do Not Disturb API compatible. This feature was reportedly spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android v2.22.24.17. In addition, some users may get this feature by installing the v2.22.24.15 beta build. In case you miss a call due to the do not disturb mode, this feature will reportedly mark a missed call as “Silenced by Do Not Disturb” if a user misses it. This beta update is also currently available to a limited number of beta testers.
Advertisement
Is the new expensive 10th generation iPad worth buying instead of its predecessor? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.
Advertisement