New feature planned for WhatsApp would enable users to message using up to three other devices, without having to link to their primary phone. — AFP
WhatsApp’s planned Multiple Devices feature will reportedly be able to simultaneously connect up to four devices to one account, without needing to connect to the user’s primary phone.
Leaker site WABetaInfo reported that users won’t need an Internet connection on their main phone to connect to WhatsApp Web on the desktop, as currently required.
This means that even if the main phone – whose mobile number the WhatsApp account is tied to – is turned off, the other devices would still be able to send and receive messages.
WhatsApp is reportedly also planning a modernised user interface for its desktop client, which would show how the user’s chat history was migrated between devices, though the process could take a few minutes.
The migration process would also be encrypted from end-to-end.
WhatsApp is actually planning a new modern UI for the desktop client, showing how the chat history is migrated from your device and that the process is end-to-end encrypted. — WABetaInfo
WABetaInfo added a disclaimer that the feature was under development for future beta builds with no fixed release date, though it sighted a preview.
A screenshot of the preview showed that there would be an early access for beta users, who would be able to use the Multiple Device feature to connect to their browser, computer or Facebook Portal.
WABetaInfo explained that some features within Multiple Devices option were still not ready, though key features currently available are synchronising chat history, muting chats, plus starring or delivering messages.
It said for users that enroll for the new feature, their devices would be synced and any action taken on one device would be automatically replicated on all others.
However users should take note that if they decide to sign up their WhatsApp account for the Multiple Devices feature in beta mode, any previous chat session will be immediately closed.
According to WABetaInfo, this is because the old mirroring technology used is incompatible with the new one, which means users will have to create new sessions.
Similarly, once users opt out of the new feature, their current chat sessions would also be immediately terminated for the same reason.
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