WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.15.6: what's new?
WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will help Android users monitor the activity of their linked devices. This update will make it easier for users to manage their security without opening the Linked Devices page.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Activity for linked devices |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp Web is testing chat themes with 49 color options! |
WhatsApp introduces new features for linked devices
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.11.9 update, we announced a feature to lock chats on linked devices. This functionality enables users to secure their conversations with a passcode directly from their companion devices. Locked chats were initially available only on the main device, so their sensitive conversations remained exposed on companion devices. With this update, WhatsApp extends the chat lock functionality to linked devices as well by setting up a secret code.
Growing importance of linked device security
Over the years, WhatsApp has introduced many features to linked devices, making it easier than ever to connect with friend and family across different devices. However, this increased flexibility also requires greater awareness and responsibility from users. As linked devices become an integral part of our life, it is important to ensure they are always secure and under our control. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.15.6 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to monitor the activity of their linked devices.
WhatsApp is working on real-time linked device activity
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will let users see which of their devices are currently active. Even though this feature is under development and set to release in the future, it already aims to give users better control over their account activity. At the moment, users can see which devices are linked to their main account from the Linked Devices screen. Here, they can manage active sessions and remove any device they do not recognize or use. However, this also requires users to keep a continuous check on their connected devices to ensure their account remains secure and free from unauthorized access.
New security notifications for simultaneous device activity
In a future update, WhatsApp will address this issue by introducing a new security feature. This feature will let users receive a notification whenever another device on their account is active at the same time. This means that when a user is using WhatsApp on their primary device, they would receive a notification if another linked device becomes active at the same time. This would allow the user to quickly understand whether their account is being accessed elsewhere. Users will be able to enable this option right within their advanced privacy settings.
Practical example of detecting suspicious linked device usage
For example, someone might leave a session on WhatsApp Web open on their computer and then walk away from it. If they continue using WhatsApp on their phone and receive an alert about activity from the linked device, it could indicate that someone is interacting with their account on the computer. In such a situation, the user would be able to react immediately and check all active sessions. This will make it easier for users to detect unauthorized access and protect their conversations. As a result, this addition would take things a step further by showing real-time online status for linked devices.
Security notifications are only sent to the primary device
The activity notification is only shown when both the primary device and a linked device are active at the same time. It would not make sense to send an alert when only the linked device is online, since it could simply be the user using WhatsApp on that device. The system is designed to focus on concurrent activity rather than single-device usage. For this reason, the notification is delivered exclusively to the primary device. The primary device is the main point of account control where users can receive security-related updates.
Upcoming rollout of linked device activity notifications
The feature that allows users to monitor the activity of their linked devices is under development, and it is expected to be released in a future update. WhatsApp is currently refining how the app delivers notifications whenever linked devices are active. Once testing is complete, WhatsApp will roll out this feature to select users, making it simpler to keep track of account activity from the main device.
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