You can now use your WhatsApp account on multiple devices. After rolling out Companion mode on WhatsApp for Android, the Meta-owned platform has made the feature available on iPhones.
WhatsApp initially announced Companion mode in late April 2023. But the feature was only available for Android users so far.
WhatsApp’s Companion mode works with up to four devices
With Companion mode, you can link one WhatsApp account on up to four other devices. This can include both iPhone and Android. So, if you carry two iPhones or use an Android phone as your secondary device, you can use your primary WhatsApp account on it.
The lack of multi-device support in WhatsApp was a major bummer. It also put the Meta-owned messaging service at a disadvantage versus iMessage, which works across all Apple devices as long as they use the same Apple ID.
Do note that certain features like Chat Lock and posting status updates are not available on companion devices. Rest assured, your conversations remain end-to-end encrypted, so security is not compromised. You can receive WhatsApp messages on your secondary iPhone even if your primary device is not connected to the internet.
Setting up Companion mode is easy
To link a companion device to your primary WhatsApp account, you need to scan a QR code while setting up WhatsApp on your secondary device. After the initial setup, all your conversations are synced to the companion device.
Additionally, the official change-log from WhatsApp mentions support for autoplay GIFs and the ability to save disappearing messages. However, using the Keep message option will inform the sender about your action.
Companion mode on iPhone is rolling out as a part of WhatsApp for iOS v23.10.76. You can grab the update from the App Store.
