WhatsApp has introduced the ability to link devices to your WhatsApp account, allowing you to use WhatsApp on multiple devices without needing your phone to be connected. This brings new capabilities and convenience for WhatsApp users.
Overview of Linked Devices on WhatsApp
With linked devices on WhatsApp, you can now use WhatsApp on up to 4 additional devices at the same time as your smartphone. This means you can access your WhatsApp account from your computer, tablet, or additional phones without needing your primary smartphone device to be connected to the internet.
Some key things to know about linked devices on WhatsApp:
- You can link up to 4 additional devices to your account.
- You’ll need to link each device while your primary smartphone is connected, but once linked, they can be used independently.
- End-to-end encryption is still maintained for your chats across all your linked devices.
- If your primary smartphone device is offline for more than 14 days, linked devices will be logged out automatically.
- You can unlink a device at any time from your primary smartphone.
With linked devices, your WhatsApp messages and calls will now sync across any linked devices. This brings new convenience and flexibility to use WhatsApp in more ways.
Using WhatsApp Web as a Linked Device
One of the most popular ways to use a linked device with WhatsApp is to link your computer browser through WhatsApp Web. Here is how linking works with WhatsApp Web:
- Open the WhatsApp desktop app or go to web.whatsapp.com in your browser.
- Use your smartphone to scan the QR code displayed on the screen.
- Your phone will now link your computer browser session as a device.
- Once linked, you can continue chatting on your computer even without your phone connected.
Some benefits of using WhatsApp Web as a linked device:
- See your full chat history and continue conversations on a bigger screen.
- Easily share files, photos, and documents from your computer.
- Seamlessly message on both your computer and phone.
- Stay connected on WhatsApp while your phone is charging or on another room.
WhatsApp Web allows flexible switching between your phone and computer for messaging and calls.
Linking a Tablet as a WhatsApp Device
In addition to your desktop browser, you can also link a tablet device to your WhatsApp account. Here’s how to link your tablet:
- Download and install the WhatsApp app on your tablet from the app store.
- Open WhatsApp on both your phone and tablet.
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap on “Link a Device” then scan the QR code displayed on your tablet.
- Your tablet will now be linked to your account.
Some great ways to use WhatsApp on your tablet include:
- Messaging hands-free on a bigger screen.
- Making WhatsApp video calls through your tablet.
- Viewing shared photos and videos more comfortably.
- Checking notifications and responding to messages without taking out your phone.
Having WhatsApp on your tablet allows for more flexibility and convenience in your messaging.
Linking Additional Smartphones
You can also link up to 4 smartphones in total to your WhatsApp account. This is useful if you have both a personal and work phone for example.
To link an additional phone:
- Install WhatsApp on your secondary device.
- On your main smartphone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device.
- Scan the QR code displayed on your secondary phone.
- Verify your identity through SMS or call verification.
Some great ways to use multiple phones with WhatsApp:
- Keep work and personal messaging separate across different phones.
- Use WhatsApp on your secondary device even when your main phone is out of battery or turned off.
- Easily switch between devices when moving from home to work.
- No need to balance multiple SIM cards for using different numbers.
Using WhatsApp on Linked Laptops
For frequent WhatsApp users, linking your laptop provides expanded capabilities beyond just accessing WhatsApp Web:
- Dedicated Desktop App – The WhatsApp desktop app allows desktop notifications, dark mode, keyboard shortcuts and more.
- Standalone Messaging – Linked laptops can send and receive messages even when your phone isn’t connected.
- Seamless File Sharing – Easily share documents from your laptop and integrate with your computer’s filesystem.
- Larger Images/Video – See shared media in full resolution by opening right on your laptop.
To link your laptop:
- Download the WhatsApp desktop app for Mac or Windows.
- Open the desktop app and scan the QR code from your phone to link.
- Approve the linking request on your phone to complete setup.
Having WhatsApp on your laptop provides convenience and flexibility for both messaging and managing your full WhatsApp account.
Managing Linked Devices
It’s easy to manage your linked devices from your primary WhatsApp account on your phone. Here are some useful management tips:
- View all currently linked devices in WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap on a linked device to see details like the link date and device name.
- Unlinking devices removes them from your account and logs them out.
- You can unlink devices at any time if they get lost or you wish to remove access.
- Setting up two-step verification adds extra security to your linked devices.
If your phone remains offline for over 14 days, linked devices automatically get logged out. This limit prevents unauthorized access if you lose your phone. Simply re-link devices after reconnecting your main smartphone.
Key Benefits of Linked Devices
Here are some of the main benefits you can enjoy with WhatsApp’s linked devices feature:
- Convenience – Seamlessly continue conversations across multiple devices.
- Flexibility – Switch between devices at home, at work, and on-the-go.
- Reachability – Stay connected to messages even when your phone isn’t nearby.
- Usability – Make full use of larger screens like tablets and laptops.
- Productivity – Manage WhatsApp more efficiently alongside work on your computer.
Overall, linking devices extends your WhatsApp experience for improved convenience, flexibility and utility across platforms.
Potential Risks
While linked devices offer new capabilities, there are also some risks to keep in mind:
- Security vulnerabilities – Each new linked device becomes another potential access point for your account.
- No self-destructing messages – Any enabled self-destructing messages won’t disappear on linked devices.
- History exposed – Your entire chat history becomes visible on every linked device.
- Data usage – Video calls and media sharing with linked laptops can increase mobile data usage.
- Account hijacking – An unlinked device could enable unauthorized account access if your phone is unavailable.
Practicing caution by only linking trusted personal devices, frequently unlinking unused sessions, and enabling two-step verification can help maximize account security.
WhatsApp Web vs Linked Devices
Previously, WhatsApp Web provided limited desktop access that required an active smartphone connection. Linked devices now provide a full standalone multi-device experience. Here is a detailed comparison:
| WhatsApp Web | Linked Devices | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices Supported | Web browser only | Web, Desktop, Tablet, Secondary Phone |
| Active Phone Required? | Yes | No |
| Receive Messages | Only when phone active | Yes |
| Send Messages | Only when phone active | Yes |
| Make Calls | Only when phone active | Yes |
| View Full Chat History | Only recent chats | Entire history |
In summary, linked devices provide complete standalone functionality without the need for an active primary smartphone connection.
How to Troubleshoot Linked Devices
In some cases, you may encounter issues with your linked devices on WhatsApp. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Can’t Link New Device
- Confirm your primary device is connected to the internet.
- Check that you are scanning the QR code from your phone when linking.
- Restart both devices and try re-linking.
- Ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
Messages Not Syncing
- Check internet connectivity on all devices.
- Restart all devices and reopen WhatsApp.
- Unlink and re-link the misbehaving device.
- Clear app cache/data and reboot devices if issues persist.
Can’t Send Messages
- Verify your internet connection is active.
- Check Account Settings for any restrictions enabled.
- Unlink and relink the device having issues.
- Contact WhatsApp support if problems continue.
Following basic troubleshooting steps can often resolve common technical issues faced with linked devices on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many devices can you link to WhatsApp?
You can link up to 4 companion devices in addition to your primary smartphone.
Can you use WhatsApp on multiple phones?
Yes, you can link up to 4 total smartphones to one WhatsApp account allowing use across multiple phones.
Is WhatsApp still end-to-end encrypted with linked devices?
Yes, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption still secures messages across all linked devices.
Can I receive messages on WhatsApp Web without my phone connected?
With linked devices enabled, you can receive and send messages on WhatsApp web without your phone connected.
Do linked devices use my phone’s number?
Yes, all linked devices still use your phone’s assigned number for messaging and calls.
Conclusion
The ability to link devices provides exciting new capabilities and convenience for WhatsApp users. You can now stay connected across multiple devices, whether its WhatsApp Web on your work computer, watching videos on a tablet, or messaging from multiple phones. Of course, exercising caution around security remains important when linking devices. But overall, this new feature enables you to seamlessly integrate WhatsApp into more aspects of your digital life.