How to Use Your WhatsApp Account Across Multiple Phones - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Use Your WhatsApp Account Across Multiple Phones

by

Previously, WhatsApp has allowed users of the encrypted messaging platform to link up to four devices to their account, but only one of those devices could be a smartphone.

Whatsapp Feature
Happily, that's now changed, and WhatsApp has introduced the ability to use the same account on multiple phones. So now you can link another phone as one of up to four additional devices, the same as when you link with WhatsApp on web browsers, tablets, and desktops.

Whether it's an iPhone or an Android phone you choose to add, each linked phone connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Just be aware that if your primary phone is inactive for a long period of time, you will be automatically logged out of all your companion devices.

Follow the steps below to set up your additional phone with your WhatsApp account, after which you'll be able to switch between phones without signing out and pick up your chats where you left off.

  1. Download and launch WhatsApp on the additional phone you want to use.
  2. Instead of entering the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account, tap the Link to existing account option to generate a QR code.
  3. On your primary phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings -> Linked Devices.
  4. Tap the Link a device option and scan the QR code using your phone's camera.

It's as simple as that. Once the QR code is scanned and the sync is complete, you'll be able to see all the conversations that you've ‌had on your original phone. You'll also have the ability to send and receive text and voice-based messages, get involved in group chats, and have access to all of the other things that you're used to doing on your ‌primary phone, just now on your companion phone as well.

Top Rated Comments

FaustsHausUK Avatar
45 months ago
So now you can link another phone as one of up to four additional devices, the same as when you link with WhatsApp on web browsers, tablets, and desktops.
Infuriatingly, they still don't have a native app for iPad, and block you from installing the iPhone version. My entire family is on Whatsapp, and I miss conversations sometimes because my phone is usually charging - I use my iPad for near everything at home.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Verita Avatar
45 months ago
Don't use WhatsApp. Use Signal or Telegram.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
45 months ago

LOL... wait, people still use WhatsApp?
Only some 2 billion people worldwide, making it the biggest chat app in the world.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
45 months ago
First and foremost, where’s the WhatsApp iPad App? 🤐

Would be nice if this could have been done on an iPad or Apple Watch.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
45 months ago

Don't use WhatsApp. Use Signal or Telegram.
Superb. Which other apps do you not use?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
45 months ago

LOL... wait, people still use WhatsApp?

I guess there are people who still lick lead paint, it doesn't make you smart or even wise about your health.
LOL... wait, there are people who don't know there's a world outside of the U.S.?

https://www.statista.com/statistics/258749/most-popular-global-mobile-messenger-apps/

https://www.similarweb.com/blog/research/market-research/worldwide-messaging-apps/
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed

Wednesday October 14, 2026 7:00 am PDT by
Popular Meta chat app WhatsApp today gained guest calling, a feature that lets users invite anyone to join a voice or video call, even if the invitee doesn't have a WhatsApp account. WhatsApp says everyone has access to free, end-to-end encrypted calls with no time limits and support for up to 32 people at once. A guest joining a call needs permission from the call host, and guests will...
Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone

Tuesday October 20, 2026 9:15 pm PDT by
WhatsApp is developing an optional in-app browser for its iPhone app that would let users open any link shared in chats without leaving the app, according to WABetaInfo. A new "In-app browser" option under Settings and Chats would let users enable the feature or continue opening links in their default browser. Users would also be able to clear cookies, cache, and other browsing data. The...
iPhone Duo Trio

Here's What Apple's Apps Look Like on the iPhone Duo

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:12 am PDT by
With just three days to go until the iPhone Duo is released, Apple is getting ready for the launch. Behind the scenes, the App Store now has screenshots of Apple's built-in apps running on the Duo. We've seen some apps in marketing materials, but images of the ones we haven't seen give us an idea of what it will be like using the iPhone Duo day to day. Many apps are shown in landscape...
Latest Stories
iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations
iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations
1 hour ago
iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers
iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers
7 hours ago
1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI
1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI
8 hours ago
iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered
iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered
9 hours ago
Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support
Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support
9 hours ago
Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo
Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo
10 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores
Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores
11 hours ago
Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]
Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]
11 hours ago
Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support
Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support
12 hours ago
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
15 hours ago
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
15 hours ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
16 hours ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
16 hours ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
18 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
18 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
19 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
23 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
23 hours ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
1 day ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
1 day ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
1 day ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
1 day ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
1 day ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
1 day ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
1 day ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
1 day ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
1 day ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
2 days ago