Muscat – WhatsApp has rolled out an update for both Android and iOS operating systems allowing users access to a single WhatsApp number on multiple phones.

Earlier, the Meta-owned platform only allowed linking mobile phones to desktops and laptops but there was no official way to use the same WhatsApp account on two phones. 

The latest update has created a buzz among its users.

The announcement was made via WhatsApp’s official twitter handle. 

‘Link up to four other devices to your account so you can easily switch between phones without signing out and pick your chats up right where you left off,’ it said.

Commenting on the update, Tariq Hilal al Barwani, IT expert, said, “I think this is indeed a very good move from the company. There are several professionals who have a wide range of devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops and this facility will help them stay connected. I don’t see any challenge regarding security as the user needs to have authentication which itself is a highly secure measure.”

Here is a step-by-step guide to how to use the same WhatsApp account on multiple phones.

Step 1: Make sure you have the latest version of the app on both primary as well as secondary phones.

Step 2: Open WhatsApp on your secondary phone. Choose your language and click on ‘Agree and continue’ to move to the login screen.

Step 3: You will be prompted to enter your mobile number. Instead of entering the number, click on the ellipsis icon (three dots) at the top right. Then, select the ‘Link to existing account’ option. You will see a QR code on your mobile screen.

Step 4: Now open WhatsApp on your primary phone and search for the ‘Linked Devices’ option and click the ‘Link a Device’ button to open the scanner.

Step 5: Scan the QR code on your secondary device and successfully log into WhatsApp.

You will now be able to use the same WhatsApp number on both the devices. If you lose Internet access on one device, you will be able to use WhatsApp on the other one without interruption.

However, iOS is not supported yet as a secondary device.