WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.21.6: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.22.21.6.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is releasing a version of the companion mode that makes it possible to link an Android tablet to an existing WhatsApp account!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Companion mode - tablet support |
| Status? | Rolling out to some beta testers |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.21.5 and 2.22.21.6 are marked as compatible updates. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | WhatsApp may have released this feature to certain beta testers. In this case, please wait for a future update. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp is releasing a camera shortcut on iOS and Android beta! |
COMPANION MODE - TABLET SUPPORT
In May, we posted news about a companion mode for multi-device, a new feature under development. Thanks to the companion mode, users would have been able to link their accounts to a secondary mobile device. The feature is still under development for mobile devices and we are not even sure when it will be rolled out to users, but WhatsApp is now releasing a particular version of the companion mode to let people link their WhatsApp account to an Android tablet!
As you can see in this screenshot, it is finally possible to link a WhatsApp account to an Android tablet so users can use the same account on up to 4 different devices including a tablet. In order to link a WhatsApp account to an Android tablet, just open WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices: finally, let's scan the QR Code and your chats will start being synced between your devices. In this case, an Internet connection is needed if you want WhatsApp to copy your previous chat history on your tablet. When your messages are finally synced between your mobile device and the tablet, you can start using WhatsApp on your tablet without an Internet connection on your mobile phone. Thanks to this version of the companion mode, even if your primary mobile device is an iPhone, you can link a WhatsApp account configured on your iPhone to your Android tablet.
Since it is in an early stage of development, some features may still not be available such as viewing live locations on a companion device and communities: the support for some missing features will be released in the future. Even the interface may get some changes but we are still not sure about that. In addition, an improved version of the companion mode compatible with mobile devices may be released when the support for those features is implemented, but this is only our assumption.
The ability to link an Android tablet to an existing WhatsApp account is now available to some beta testers so it is recommended to download the latest beta if you want to test the companion mode with a tablet.
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