WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.6: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.3.6.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets parents configure a secondary account with limited functionality, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Primary controls for parents |
| 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 beta for iOS 26.2.10.73: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to share their chat history with new group members! |
WhatsApp is working on primary controls and secondary accounts
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.1.30 update, we announced a feature under development that helps parents manage secondary accounts through primary controls. This feature will allow parents to create dedicated accounts for their children to increase their online safety. These accounts will have default privacy settings that limit interactions with unknown contacts. While WhatsApp's core privacy principles will be maintained, WhatsApp aims to offer useful tools for parents to manage their children's WhatsApp accounts.
Although this feature is still under development, WhatsApp keeps refining it to make the process of creating secondary accounts easier and more intuitive. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.6 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets parents configure a secondary account with limited functionality.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is currently developing a feature that will allow parents to create secondary accounts, scheduled for release in a future update. A secondary account is a profile with limited features that will be assigned to their children. If a minor does not meet WhatsApp's minimum age, they will have to ask a parent to set up a secondary account. The secondary account prevents minors from sending or receiving messages and calls with accounts that are not in their contacts. The secondary account will also offer parents insights into their activity, such as when they add a new contact. However, it's important to note that this activity report will never include messages shared in chats, in order to safeguard end-to-end encryption.
When setting up an account immediately after the welcome screen, the parent will be required to scan a QR code. Once pairing is complete, the parent will need to create a primary PIN. A primary PIN is a 6-digit code that allows parents to perform certain actions and prevents children from making unauthorized changes. Once the PIN is created, it must be entered on the secondary account to complete the profile creation.
Child accounts will provide limited functionality to ensure a safer experience for minors. Young users will not have access to the Updates tab, which offers tools for sharing content more quickly with contacts and the public. In particular, limiting access to channels helps reduce the risk of minors interacting with content shared by unknown accounts. In addition, child accounts will not support Chat Lock, which prevents chats from being hidden in a separate archive. This allows parents to review their children's devices without the risk of unseen or hidden conversations.
The secondary account will continue to exist until the parent decides otherwise or until the user reaches the permitted age. When they reach the age allowed by WhatsApp's Terms of Service, the secondary account can be unlinked from the primary one and they will have access to all WhatsApp features. It's worth noting that they may be required to accept the terms of service, as they will reflect new features that users will be able to use.
The feature lets parents configure a secondary account with limited functionality is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is continuously working to improve the experience for minors without impacting message encryption and privacy. Once this feature becomes available, parents will be able to create secondary accounts for their children and gain greater control about their online safety.
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