WhatsApp Beta Adds Multi-Account Feature for Testers on Android: How It Works

Unlike WhatsApp's companion mode, the multi-account feature allows switching between accounts on your smartphone.

Written by David Delima, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 11 August 2023 11:55 IST

WhatsApp Beta Adds Multi-Account Feature for Testers on Android: How It Works

Photo Credit: Reuters

WhatsApp users can currently set up one account on another smartphone with companion mode

Highlights

WhatsApp is testing a new multi-account feature with some beta testers
You will soon be able to add multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same phone
WhatsApp has not announced a release date for the multi-account feature

WhatsApp has begun rolling out a new feature to beta testers that allows adding multiple accounts to the popular messaging app. Currently, users who want to add a second account to their smartphone have to install a clone of WhatsApp — a feature offered on some Android smartphones. Instead, the new multi-account feature that was added to the latest beta version features an account switcher that can switch between the primary account that is tied to the smartphone and other WhatsApp accounts.

According to a report by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned messaging service recently rolled out a new beta version to testers with the multi-account feature. It is currently limited to some beta testers who have updated to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.17.8 and could roll out to more users over the coming weeks. Gadgets 360 was unable to test the feature on the latest beta release and it appears that the feature is being enabled via a server-side switch.

WhatsApp's multi account switcher
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

When the feature is enabled, WhatsApp will display a small downward facing arrow icon next to the QR code in the settings menu. A card will pop up showing the primary account and an Add account button. You can tap this button to add an account that is registered on another device, and recent messages will be synced to your phone.

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A screenshot of the feature shared by WABetaInfo also shows the popup card — which also doubles as an account switcher — will show the phone number registered with that WhatsApp account, which means that users will be able to easily distinguish between accounts along with the profile photo and username. The feature was previously spotted in development in June.

WhatsApp previously rolled out a "companion mode" with the ability to set up an iPhone or Android smartphone as a secondary device, which meant you could use the same account on multiple devices. However, users are currently limited to using one account on a device. Some Android smartphones like Samsung allow you to "clone" WhatsApp that allows you to add a second account to your smartphone.

With the multi-account feature that is available for some beta testers, it will be easier for users to access personal chats and work conversations — assuming they have separate accounts — conveniently, while notifications and conversations will be displayed separately, according to the feature tracker.

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Further reading: WhatsApp, WhatsApp Beta, WhatsApp features, WhatsApp multi account, WhatsApp multiple accounts, WhatsApp multi account feature, WhatsApp testing version, WhatsApp Android beta, WhatsApp beta version

David Delima

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As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More