Use Multiple WhatsApp Accounts on One iPhone
▼ Summary
– Meta has introduced multi-account support in a WhatsApp beta build on TestFlight, allowing users to manage multiple accounts natively.
– The beta currently supports syncing up to two accounts, which can be new, existing, or companion accounts linked via QR code.
– Users can add and switch between accounts through a new “Account List” section in settings or a dedicated button next to the QR code icon.
– Each account maintains separate preferences for chat history, backups, and notifications, with notifications indicating the source account to avoid confusion.
– There is no official release timeline yet, but testing is advanced, suggesting the feature may launch soon.
Managing more than one WhatsApp account on a single iPhone has long required awkward workarounds, but that’s about to change. Meta is now testing native multi-account functionality through a beta build on TestFlight, signaling a major shift in how users will handle multiple numbers.
According to reports from WABetaInfo, selected beta testers can now find a new “Account List” section within the app’s settings, or a dedicated button near the QR code icon. This allows for adding a new account directly, eliminating the need for a second phone or the separate WhatsApp Business app. For the time being, the beta supports a maximum of two accounts.
The flexibility of this new system is noteworthy. You can register a brand new account tied to a phone number never used with WhatsApp before. Alternatively, you can add an existing account, such as one previously active on WhatsApp Business or another mobile device. There’s also a companion account option, which lets you link an account from another phone by scanning a QR code. Once linked, this companion account will automatically synchronize its messages and settings with your primary iPhone.
A significant benefit is that each account maintains its own independent preferences. This includes separate chat histories, distinct backup configurations, and unique notification tones, so settings from one profile won’t spill over into the other. To prevent any mix-ups, WhatsApp will also clearly label which of the two accounts an incoming notification belongs to.
While an official public release date has not been announced, the advanced stage of beta testing suggests the wait for this convenient feature may soon be over.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
