What is WhatsApp Connected Devices?
Cross-device linking is a feature that allows you to use your WhatsApp account or phone number on multiple devices. It works by connecting your other devices to the main device at the same time. Basically, this feature can come in handy if your primary smartphone runs out of battery or if you accidentally close WhatsApp.
Note that this feature is different from the Multiple Accounts feature which allows you to use two different WhatsApp numbers on the same device. For those who want to use two WhatsApp accounts on one phone, we have created a special guide to help you configure this feature.
Once the link is established, you’ll be able to see your chats, calls, and other activity updated on all linked devices. Your session will not expire if your primary smartphone closes WhatsApp or is disconnected from the app.You must log in to your phone every 14 days to continue using WhatsApp on your secondary devices.
How to connect device to WhatsApp using QR code?
Linking WhatsApp to another device is quite simple. You need to use your primary phone and then activate it on the second device. To use the multi-device feature, follow these steps:
- On the main phone, open the menu with three dots Settings
- Choose Connected devices
- Press the button Device connection button
- Launch WhatsApp on the secondary device
- Click the button three points
- Choose Join as an associated device
- Use the primary phone to scan the QR code on the secondary device
How to connect a device to WhatsApp through your telephone number?
You can also use a phone number link, but it works with WhatsApp web, desktop app and other media.
- On the main phone, open the menu with three dots Settings
- Choose Connected devices
- Tap the menu with three dots and select Get in touch with the phone number
- In your computer’s browser, go to web.whatsapp.com
- Choose Log in with your phone number
- Select the mobile phone country code, enter your number and tap Following.
- Enter the code generated by your laptop on the main phone
How to manage or delete connected devices?
Even if you’ve signed out of your main phone, you can still use WhatsApp on your other devices. However, you will need to sign in again every 14 days to continue using WhatsApp on other connected devices. Follow the steps below to remove a connected secondary device.
- On your main phone, go to the address settings, then inside Connected devices
- Tap the device you want to remove
- Tap Sign Out
- Scan it QR code displayed on your PC or tablet screen
Are WhatsApp messages always encrypted on all devices?
On his official support pageWhatsApp ensures that “your personal messages, media and calls are end-to-end encrypted”.
How is that possible? Each of the companion devices connected to your account will now have its own identification key. This allows you to encrypt and decrypt messages locally without having to rely on the smartphone the account is linked to.
At the top, the old system uses a smartphone as a “hub” for encryption. At the bottom, the new system ensures that each device has its own end-to-end encryption key. / © nextpit
The same will apply to voice and video calls, which will then be able to work without communicating with the user’s smartphone. WhatsApp will ensure that messages remain in sync between devices, allowing you to browse your chat history from one device to another, even when the smartphone is no longer serving as a relay point.
Another safeguard is to ask you to log in every 14 days on your primary phone. If you don’t, active sessions on connected devices will be closed. This ensures that the user account always has access to their primary smartphone.
What devices can you connect to your WhatsApp account?
You can link up to four other devices to your WhatsApp account, allowing you to use the same account on five devices at the same time. This can be another Android phone, iPhone, tablet or computer (via the WhatsApp desktop app or the website on Mac and Windows).
This feature extends to wearables like Wear OS smartwatches and some VR headsets like Meta’s Quest Pro and Quest 3S.
Have you ever tried setting up a similar WhatsApp on multiple devices? What do you think about this feature?