WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.14.18.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to link your account to WhatsApp Web by using your phone number, and it’s available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Link with phone number |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.14.18 is marked as a compatible update, but some lucky users may be able to get the same feature by installing certain previous versions of the app. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it’s rolling out to more people over the coming days. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.14.0.70: what’s new? WhatsApp is releasing a sticker suggestion feature! |
LINK WITH PHONE NUMBER
After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.14.18 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, it may be possible to experiment with a new feature aimed to help users link their accounts with an additional device with ease. Specifically, the feature is called “Link with phone number”. Thanks to this feature, users can finally link their account to WhatsApp Web without scanning the QR Code. As usual, this new option is available to certain beta testers:
As you can see in this screenshot, a new option may be available when attempting to link a new device. With this feature, users can link a device using their primary account phone number and a one-time code generated by WhatsApp Web. To link a device to your WhatsApp account, you need to open WhatsApp Web on the desktop device you wish to link and select the new “Link with phone number” option. After entering your phone number along with your country, you should be prompted with an 8-character code that you need to enter into WhatsApp after receiving a notification.
We believe that this feature is very useful in specific situations. In particular, over the years, some users were unable to use WhatsApp Web because their device’s camera was not working. As a result, they were unable to scan the QR code. But now, with the “link with phone number” feature, anyone can connect to WhatsApp Web, even in situations where it was not previously possible. Please note that at the moment, this feature is only compatible with WhatsApp Web. Therefore, you cannot yet link your WhatsApp account to a secondary mobile device using only the phone number.
The feature to link your account to WhatsApp Web by using your phone number is available to some beta testers that install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store, and it will be released to even more people over the coming days. Since this is a wider rollout, some users may get this feature by installing certain previous versions of the app. In addition, note that some beta testers may also get this feature after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS update from the TestFlight app. However, there will be a dedicated article for iOS users.
Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on Twitter where you can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.
Do you like this news? Please, let us know on Twitter: we love hearing your feedback! If you’re curious to know where you can find WABetaInfo, there is a dedicated page where you can discover our services.
In addition, we have set up a Discord Server where you can chat with other people, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest announcements from WABetaInfo.