WhatsApp Introduces Multiple Accounts on Android: Here’s How to Enable the Feature
WhatsApp, one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, is now making it easier for Android users to manage both their personal and work accounts simultaneously. Users have long been restricted to a single active WhatsApp account on a device, even if they use the platform on multiple devices. To access a secondary account tied to a different phone number, users typically had to log out from their primary account. However, WhatsApp, now under the Meta umbrella, is changing the game. The instant messenger announced a new feature that allows Android users to have two active WhatsApp accounts logged in at the same time, making the platform more versatile than ever.
How to Set Up Multiple WhatsApp Accounts on Android:
- Get a Second Phone Number or SIM Card: To enable this feature, you’ll need a second phone number or a SIM card. Alternatively, you can use a phone that supports multi-SIM or eSIM functionality.
- Access WhatsApp Settings: Open your WhatsApp app and head to the settings menu.
- Add an Account: In the settings, find your profile information, and click on the “Add account” option.
- Set Up the Second WhatsApp Account: Using your secondary phone number, you can now set up a completely separate WhatsApp account within the app.
With this new functionality, users can easily switch between two WhatsApp accounts without the need to log out, making it simpler to manage personal and professional communications. Moreover, you can customize privacy and notification settings independently for each account, tailoring your WhatsApp experience to your specific needs. For example, you can mute notifications for your personal account while keeping them active for your work-related communications.
Importantly, WhatsApp ensures that all messages sent and received on both accounts remain end-to-end encrypted, prioritizing user privacy and security.
The introduction of this multi-account feature not only streamlines the way users manage their WhatsApp accounts but also eliminates the need to carry multiple devices. This is a significant convenience, particularly for those who rely on WhatsApp for both personal and professional purposes.
WhatsApp has taken care to advise users to exclusively download the official WhatsApp app from the Google Play Store and avoid imitating or third-party applications. It’s important to note that the company has not yet confirmed the availability of this feature on iOS devices.
In addition to the multi-account feature, WhatsApp has been actively rolling out several other updates and enhancements. Recent reports indicate the testing of a ‘view once’ mode toggle for voice messages, similar to the feature available for sending photos and videos within the app. Earlier this week, WhatsApp also introduced support for passkeys on Android, offering enhanced security for user account access by enabling biometric authentication or device PIN.
WhatsApp’s commitment to providing a seamless and secure messaging experience continues to make it a standout choice for users around the world.