WhatsApp to work on four devices and no phone required.
It comes as
a relief for billions of WhatsApp users, as they can now access WhatsApp on
multiple devices while eliminating the need of a smartphone to log in. Albeit,
it’s being released as a limited beta version to the public at present. Right now,
to operate on your PC using WhatsApp you still need a phone but all that might
change in the future. You can connect to four other non-phone devices
simultaneously with ease even in the absence of a smartphone. Facebook has
promised to maintain the same degree of privacy and security through end-to-end
encryption, while syncing your data such as contact names, chat archives,
starred messages, and more across devices.
Today,
to use WhatsApp on any device such as, web, MacOS, Windows, and Portal a smartphone app is vital. These companion devices
continuously maintains a secure connection with phone and the content is then
simply mirrored by these devices on their user interface (UI).
At present WhatsApp, enables a harmonious participation between the phone and companion
device while ensuring security and privacy. But its biggest disadvantage is that
a phone will be required while performing any operation on these platforms: and
God forbid the phone’s battery dies so does your connection. Also, in the present version only one companion device can operate at a time, that is you cannot video call
using Portal while checking your messages on PC.
The new upgraded
WhatsApp version claims to overcomes these barriers, where you might not require a smartphone but
still keep user data seamlessly and securely synchronized and private.
Eligibility:
Those who
have WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business app can download the limited beta version of
WhatsApp beta on Android and iPhone.
Unsupported
features:
Surveying live locations on companion devices might be a hassle.
WhatsApp Web or Desktop, lack the feature to pin chats as of now.
Phone has to be used in order to join,
view, and reset group invites from WhatsApp Web and Desktop.
If your contact is using an outdated version of WhatsApp, then messaging or
calling will fail to work from your linked device.
You won't be able to call from
Portal or WhatsApp Desktop to linked devices enrolled in the
multi-device beta.
For other
WhatsApp accounts on your Portal to work, would require for those accounts to be linked with the multi-device beta.
WhatsApp Business users can’t remove their business name or labels from WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
Through this version you can connect up to 4 companion devices at a time, but can only have one phone connected to your WhatsApp account at that time.
You’ll be still required to register your WhatsApp account and link the new devices with your phones
If for some
reason you remain inactive over the phone for over 14 days your linked devices
will become disconnected.
