14 DAY TRIAL // We’ve known for a while that WhatsApp is working on multi-device support for the instant messaging platform, but as it turns out, this new feature isn’t necessarily as helpful as many of us expected it to be.
And it’s all because of the way the Facebook-owned company wants it to work, as WhatsApp will only work on just one phone no matter what.
In theory, multi-device support is supposed to allow you to install WhatsApp and then activate the same account on more than one device. So instead of having different phone numbers registered with WhatsApp on different devices, you’d technically be able to install WhatsApp and use it with the same phone number across multiple devices.
The conversations would always be in sync, so in theory, no matter what device you end up using, you’re always up to date with all your messages.
One phone per account
Needless to say, this feature comes in handy especially when planning to use the same WhatsApp account across different mobile platforms. So for instance, you could activate the same WhatsApp phone number on two phones running iOS and Android, and regardless of which one you use, the latest conversations are always there.
But according to a screenshot shared by WABetaInfo, this new feature may eventually land with a major shortcoming. And it’s all because WhatsApp would only allow a single phone per account, so the multi-device support would allow just one phone and then other devices like PCs and the Facebook Portal smart display.
Of course, many might end up thinking this feature is rather useless since running WhatsApp on the desktop is already possible with the same account as on the phone when the mobile device is synced.
WhatsApp is yet to officially announce this new feature, so fingers crossed for the company to rethink the way it’s supposed to work.