WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. A key feature of WhatsApp is the ability to link your account to multiple devices, so you can access your chats from your phone as well as a computer or tablet.
Linking your WhatsApp account across devices can have many benefits. It allows you to seamlessly continue conversations when switching between devices, and gives you a backup if your main phone is lost, damaged or has connectivity issues. However, many users struggle to understand how to properly link devices to their main WhatsApp account.
In this 5000 word guide, we will provide a step-by-step walkthrough on how to link WhatsApp to your main device, covering Android phones, iPhones, and desktop options. We will also look at troubleshooting issues and switching your main device. By the end, you should have all the knowledge needed to sync WhatsApp securely across all your gadgets.
Requirements for Linking WhatsApp to Another Device
Before linking WhatsApp to a secondary device, there are a few key requirements to be aware of:
– An active WhatsApp account on your main smartphone device. This is the phone number and account that will be linked.
– A secondary device such as a computer, tablet or second phone. This device will need to install WhatsApp to link to your main account.
– An internet connection on both devices during the linking process. Stable WiFi or mobile data is recommended.
– The main device will need to be powered on and connected to verify the linking process. The phone must stay on afterwards for notifications and calls.
– Your phone may need to be unlocked or have the WhatsApp screen open depending on your device settings and operating system.
– Only one secondary device such as a computer can be linked at a time. You can link up to 4 companion devices in total.
– For iPhone, your secondary device will need iOS 10 or later installed. For Android, 4.1 or later is required.
Meeting these requirements beforehand will ensure a smooth setup when linking your WhatsApp account. Properly understanding these prerequisites can prevent errors during the linking process.
How to Link WhatsApp on an Android Phone
Here are the steps to link WhatsApp to another device when using an Android phone as your main account and device:
1. First ensure your Android phone has the latest version of WhatsApp installed and meets the linking requirements outlined earlier.
2. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone. Go to the Menu options and select ‘Linked Devices’.
3. Tap on ‘Link a Device’. This will open a page displaying a QR code.
4. Open WhatsApp on your secondary device (computer, tablet etc). Click on ‘Link a Device’ or scan the QR code displayed on your Android phone.
5. Point the secondary device’s camera at the QR code to scan it. This will generate a six digit numerical code.
6. Enter this six digit code on your Android phone to verify the link. Both devices will now be connected.
7. The linked device can now access your WhatsApp messages, calls and files. Your Android phone stays as the main device.
8. Alerts, calls and messages will continue to only directly notify your Android phone as the primary device.
9. You can unlink a device at any time from Linked Devices menu. Your Android handset remains the main WhatsApp account.
Key Points for Android Linking
– Ensure your Android OS is updated to latest version for best performance.
– An internet connection is required on both the Android device and secondary gadget during linking.
– Your Android phone must stay powered on with unlocked screen for notifications to function properly.
– Only one secondary device like a computer can link at a time. You can use up to 4 total linked devices.
– If linking fails, try reloading WhatsApp on both devices and scanning QR code again.
How to Link WhatsApp on an iPhone
If your main WhatsApp account is on an iPhone, use this guide to properly link your iOS device to a secondary gadget:
1. Check your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices.
2. Tap ‘Add New Device’ then point your iPhone camera at the QR code displayed on the secondary device.
3. The secondary device will now show a six digit code once QR code is scanned. Enter this code into your iPhone.
4. Both devices will link once the code is verified. The secondary device can now access your WhatsApp messages.
5. Your iPhone remains the main device – only it will receive calls, notifications and alerts from WhatsApp.
6. You can unlink devices whenever needed from the Linked Devices menu on your iPhone.
7. Up to 4 companion devices can link to an iPhone in total. Only 1 computer or tablet at a time.
Key Points for iPhone Linking
– Your iPhone must stay powered on and connected for full WhatsApp functionality after linking.
– Ensure your secondary device is updated and has WhatsApp installed before starting.
– If you get a linking error, try rescanning the QR code again. Check your internet connection.
– Notifications and calls will only directly notify your iPhone, not linked devices.
– Unlink secondary devices through the Linked Devices menu on your iPhone at any time.
How to Link WhatsApp Web to Computer
WhatsApp Web allows you to access your WhatsApp messages and chats directly from a computer browser window. Here is how to link WhatsApp Web using your computer’s webcam:
1. Open the WhatsApp Web page on your computer browser at https://web.whatsapp.com/.
2. Your computer screen will display a QR code. Open WhatsApp on your mobile device.
3. On mobile, go to Menu > Linked Devices > Link a Device. Point your phone’s camera at the QR code to scan it.
4. The mobile WhatsApp will now verify the pairing and link to your computer.
5. On your computer, WhatsApp Web will open in the browser window with full message access.
6. Your mobile remains the primary device – your computer is secondary for browsing only.
7. Always keep your phone connected to the internet for WhatsApp Web to function. The session will expire after some time inactive.
8. You can unlink WhatsApp Web at any time from Linked Devices menu on mobile. Simply close the browser tab on computer to unlink.
Key Points for WhatsApp Web Linking
– Your mobile device must stay powered on and connected for WhatsApp Web to work.
– Use a stable internet connection for both computer and phone during linking.
– Ensure your computer has an updated browser. Chrome or Firefox recommended.
– The WhatsApp Web session on computer will expire after some time inactive. Simply re-scan QR code to link again.
– WhatsApp Web provides a second screen for messages only. Your phone remains the primary WhatsApp device.
How to Switch your Linked WhatsApp to a New Phone
If you get a new phone and want to switch your WhatsApp account while keeping your chat history, here are the steps:
1. On your old phone, back up your WhatsApp chats and media through WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
2. Install WhatsApp on your new phone. When prompted, enter your phone number to activate your account on the new device.
3. On the ‘Restore’ page during setup, tap ‘Restore’ to restore your chats and data from the backup.
4. WhatsApp will transfer your chat history, media, settings etc. to your new phone. Allow time for the full restore.
5. Once restored, your old device will automatically unlink from your account as the new phone becomes the main device.
6. You can now use WhatsApp as normal with your chat history moved across to the new phone. All linked devices like WhatsApp Web will automatically relink.
7. If any paired device doesn’t automatically switch to the new phone, simply unlink it then re-link by scanning the QR code from your new device.
Key Points for Switching Main WhatsApp Device
– Remember to back up chats from old device before moving your account to a new phone.
– When activating on new phone, ensure you use same number linked to your WhatsApp account.
– Double check all data including messages, media and settings are restored after transfer.
– Linked devices should reconnect automatically after changing main device. If not, unlink and relink.
– Backup chats regularly in future to simplify switching main device again when upgrading phone.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Linking Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues when linking WhatsApp across devices. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common problems:
Can’t Scan QR Code
– Check brightness on phone camera is sufficient to scan code. Move phone closer or adjust angle.
– Refresh QR code on secondary device and try scanning on phone again.
– Ensure QR code image is clear on second device screen. Retrying scanning often fixes it.
Linking Code Won’t Verify
– Double check the 6 digit numerical code matches on both devices.
– Restart the linking process if codes don’t match. Linked device may need to generate new QR code.
– Ensure internet connectivity is stable on both primary and secondary gadgets.
Lost Connection to Linked Device
– If a linked device disconnects, try unlinking it then re-linking by scanning QR code again.
– Ensure primary phone remains powered on and connected to internet for stable link.
– Check internet connectivity and VPN settings on linked device. Stable connection needed.
Can’t Link Maximum Number of Devices
– Only 1 smartphone, 1 computer and up to 2 additional companion devices can link at once.
– Unlink an existing secondary device first before adding a new one. Each will need to be relinked.
Notifications Not Showing on Linked Devices
– Only your primary smartphone will directly receive notifications. Linked devices access messages only.
– Ensure primary device remains powered on and connected for notifications to function.
Linking WhatsApp for Better Multi-Device Usage
Linking your WhatsApp account correctly across devices enables seamless messaging and chat capabilities across smartphones, computers and tablets. However, keeping the following best practices in mind will ensure optimal setup:
– Always maintain a stable internet connection on all devices during linking and usage. WiFi is recommended for reliability.
– Keep your primary smartphone device powered on and connected at all times for uninterrupted access on additional gadgets.
– Link your computer or tablet first before additional secondary phones or devices for best performance.
– Limit linking to 1 computer/tablet plus up to 2 other companion devices for a smoother experience.
– Unlink and remove old secondary devices first if you need to link a new gadget to maximize available slots.
– Back up your WhatsApp chat history from Settings menu before changing main smartphone device.
– When changing main device, be patient during chat restore as this can take time depending on data size.
– If issues arise during linking, restart both devices and try re-scanning QR code to troubleshoot and reconnect.
Following these tips will help avoid common pitfalls when linking WhatsApp across multiple gadgets. With proper setup, you can enjoy seamless messaging and syncing between devices for improved flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about linking WhatsApp to your main device:
Does my main phone need to stay on when using linked devices?
Yes, your primary smartphone linked to your WhatsApp account will need to remain powered on and connected to the internet for linked devices to access messages. The main device facilitates this connectivity.
Can I link WhatsApp to multiple phones?
You can only link WhatsApp to one additional smartphone device at a time. Your main phone number is tied to your account and required for linking another phone.
Is my chat data backed up across linked devices?
No, your chat history and media are only stored locally on your main device. You will need to manually back up chats and transfer them when switching main smartphones.
Can I link WhatsApp on both my iPad and computer?
Yes, you can have WhatsApp linked to 1 computer (through WhatsApp Web) plus 1 additional companion device like an iPad simultaneously.
Will calls come through to my linked tablet?
Only your main smartphone will directly receive WhatsApp calls. Linked tablets can access your messaging history only without notifications.
How do I unlink a device?
On your main phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices. Tap next to the device name and select ‘Unlink’. Confirm to remove linkage.
Summary
Linking WhatsApp properly across your devices enables seamless messaging and chat access whether at home or on-the-go. Carefully follow the step-by-step guide for your specific main device operating system. Ensure your primary phone stays connected at all times and limit linkage to 1 computer plus 2 other devices maximum for best performance.
Back up your WhatsApp data regularly, especially before switching main smartphones. If issues arise, restart devices and try carefully re-scanning the QR code to troubleshoot. With the right linkage setup, you can enjoy a linked WhatsApp experience across multiple gadgets.