HARIANHALUAN.COM– WhatsApp has started rolling out a feature that allows a single WhatsApp account to connect to multiple devices at once without relying on a cell phone with a registered phone number.
This feature has been eagerly awaited by users because the way it works is similar to social media/e-mail accounts that can “login” anywhere. Users are like being able to “log in” WhatsApp on laptops, computers, and tablets, without a cellphone with WhatsApp online.
This multi-device support feature is already available for WhatsApp Beta users on Android/iOS and WhatsApp Business Beta version.
The number of devices that can be connected at once reaches four devices, either from smartphones, tablets, or PCs (desktops/laptops).
Interestingly, this feature can still be used even if the cellphone, with a WhatsApp registered phone number, is not connected to the internet. For example, when a user’s phone suddenly turns off due to running out of battery or has a bad internet connection.
WhatsApp claims that private conversations still use an end-to-end encryption system. This means that other parties, even WhatsApp itself, cannot access it.
“Each message is individually encrypted using an encryption session that applies on each device. Your private messages will also not be stored on our servers after they are sent,” WhatsApp wrote.
For security reasons, to connect one WhatsApp account to multiple devices at once, users still have to use their smartphone to scan a QR code (QR Code).
For information, WhatsApp users have been able to use smartphones and WhatsApp Web or desktop at the same time. However, to use WhatsApp Web or the application on a computer, WhatsApp must be connected to a mobile phone, as the primary device, with always-on internet access.
With the presence of this multi-device support, using WhatsApp on several different devices such as desktops, laptops, and other mobile phones will be easier.
As compiled by KompasTekno from the Washington Post, WhatsApp has not confirmed when this feature will be officially launched to all its users.
For WhatsApp Beta users who have found this feature, they can try out multi-device support in the following ways:
1. First, open the WhatsApp application on your smartphone (Android/iOS).
2. Then, click the three-dot icon in the upper right corner to open the settings menu (More Options).
3. Next, select “Link Device” and follow the instructions shown.
4. Android: If your device does not enable biometric authentication, you will be asked to enter the PIN used to unlock the lock screen.
iOS: After selecting the “Link Device” option, you can immediately click “OK”. On iOS 14 or later, use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock the lock screen. If you don’t enable biometric authentication, you will be asked to enter the PIN used to unlock the lock screen.
5. Click the tick on the “Stay Login” option on the screen that displays your QR code on either a PC (desktop/laptop) or tablet to stay connected to your WhatsApp account on your phone (main device).
6. Later, you are asked to scan the QR code on the computer or other device that you want to connect with your phone (main device).
7. If you have, you can simply press the “Finish” button.
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