Use WhatsApp twice on one phone? The messenger provider has introduced an official method for this for Android. (Image: WhatsApp)
Messengers like WhatsApp are important not only in private life, but also in business to keep up to date. Mixing chats is not a good idea, however. With a dual-SIM capable cell phone, you can also stay in touch with two different communities using two phone numbers. For example, you can also separate your private and professional life. This also applies to WhatsApp. two accounts has become much easier to use than it used to be.
- WhatsApp itself offers two official ways for you to stay in touch with two different communities on one smartphone. Firstly, the provider allows you to link two accounts in one WhatsApp installation – currently only on Android.
- On the other hand, it provides a business version of the app, which you can use to contact customers and other business contacts. This works on Android and iOS.
- A third option comes from other software manufacturers that allow WhatsApp to be cloned on Android smartphones, and so far only on this operating system.
Here you will find out which variant is more suitable in which scenario and how you can set up the use of WhatsApp twice on your mobile phone.
Use WhatsApp twice on one phone – this is what you need
To set up a second account in WhatsApp, you need a second phone number.
In order to use both on one device, the smartphone must be dual-SIM capable. This now applies to many cell phones costing 200 euros or more. In this case, you equip it with two SIM cards, each of which is linked to a phone number. Strictly speaking, it doesn’t have to be a physical card. An eSIM profile is also possible, provided your cell phone has one built in.
If both SIM cards are inserted or the additional eSIM profile is activated, you can add the SIM card in the following three ways a second account to your WhatsApp installation added.
Use WhatsApp twice on your Android phone
Two accounts, one WhatsApp installation
Exclusively for Android phones WhatsApp provider Meta activated the feature in October 2023, to register two accounts in one WhatsApp installationOnce this has happened, it is possible to switch seamlessly between these two accounts at the touch of a button. You won’t find this function on iOS yet. It is unknown when Meta will add it to iPhones.
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap the three dots at the top right.
- Touch the arrow at the top right.
- Tap “Add Account” at the bottom.
- Follow the instructions and set up the account with your second phone number.
On Android, you can add a second account and then use WhatsApp twice on one phone. (Screenshots: Handyhase.de)
Clone WhatsApp and create two app instances
Also currently only available for Android phones is the possibility Clone WhatsAppThis creates two instances of the messenger. You link each one to a number in your dual SIM setup.
Depending on which smartphone you use, there are two alternative ways.
- Regardless of the manufacturer, you can use special apps that basically work on every smartphone model. Two relevant options are “Parallel Space – Clone App” and “2Accounts – Dual Apps”.
- Some smartphone manufacturers have built the clone function into their user interface, which they place over the Android operating system. The function has different names. It is available from Samsung (“Dual Messenger”), Honor (“App Twin”), OnePlus (“Parallel Apps”) and Xiaomi (“Dual Apps”).
If you use a Xiaomi device, you configure the function in the MIUI and HyperOS user interface as follows:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Apps”.
- Select “Dual Apps”.
- Press the arrow next to the WhatsApp entry. It will appear first.
- Activate the switch so that it appears white on blue.
With the Xiaomi “Dual Apps” function, you can clone the installation and then use WhatsApp twice on one phone. (Screenshot: Handyhase.de)
Use WhatsApp twice on one phone on iOS and Android
Business trick: Install extra WhatsApp for business purposes
This is also an officially approved method by WhatsApp manufacturer Meta. In this case, however, it works on Android and also on iOS. The trick here is to install an extra app, namely WhatsApp Business.
This version of the messenger has been available since the end of January 2018. It is a version of WhatsApp aimed at companies, which, apart from special chat functions, is no different from the normal WhatsApp version for smartphones. It is ideal if you are self-employed or communicate with customers on behalf of a company. But that is not a requirement. You can also use the app privately if you want.
The aim, however, is to make it easier for smaller companies to communicate with customers and to save answers to frequently asked questions, for example as text blocks. Using the exclusive label function, sorting chats (= customer inquiries) is much clearer. Products can also be advertised and automated answers to inquiries can be sent.
The highlight is: You can Install WhatsApp Business parallel to WhatsApp. You assign one of the two available phone numbers of your dual SIM setup to each app installation. From now on, you can use both apps seamlessly and thus Use WhatsApp twice on one phone.
WhatsApp Business offers features for companies, but can also be used privately to have two WhatsApp accounts on one phone and thus separate work from leisure time. (Image: WhatsApp)
Two WhatsApp on one phone – these are the advantages
No matter which variant you choose, the advantages are the same.
- You can more easily stay in touch with two separate audiences.
- You don’t need to carry two smartphones with you to use WhatsApp on each one. Instead, you only need one device.
- And if you want to switch between two accounts, you no longer need to log out of one and log in again by entering all your data.
