WhatsApp has just submitted a new stable update for iOS, available on the App Store: the build number is 23.10.76.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is widely rolling out a feature to link an existing account to a second iOS device: the companion mode!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Changelog about? | Companion mode |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp for iOS 23.10.76 is marked as a compatible update. |
| I have the same version but I don’t have this feature, why? | Although WhatsApp has officially announced the feature, some users may receive it over the coming weeks, as mentioned in the changelog on the App Store. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Windows gets app language feature and message draft filter! |
COMPANION MODE
Last month, WhatsApp announced a feature that allows users to use the same account on multiple phones. This feature finally enables users to send and receive calls and messages across all their devices while maintaining the same level of privacy and security thanks to end-to-end encryption.
Although WhatsApp did not specify it in their blog post, this feature was only available for WhatsApp for Android, so it was not possible to link your WhatsApp account to a second iOS device. However, thanks to the official changelog for the latest WhatsApp for iOS 23.10.76 update available on the App Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is finally releasing the ability to link an iPhone as a second device to everyone!
The official changelog mentions news regarding keeping messages from disappearing and a GIF autoplay feature, but it also mentions that companion mode is rolling out to users. In fact, some people may be prompted to link their devices to an existing account. If this option is selected, scanning the QR code by pointing the phone at the screen to capture it will be necessary to link the additional device. After linking your WhatsApp account to another iPhone, the chat history will safely be synchronized across all your linked devices. As happens on WhatsApp for Android, some features are still not available, such as the ability to manage broadcast lists and post status updates from the linked device.
With this feature, users can link up to four devices simultaneously, which means you can connect even more than two mobile phones to your WhatsApp account. In addition, your personal messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted even when using WhatsApp from a linked mobile phone. When someone sends you a message, it is sent to all your devices while maintaining encryption. As we recommended in our article published when the feature was available on the Android app, we suggest you read the updated whitepaper for technical details about how encryption works when using multi-device.
If you don’t have this feature, note that some accounts may receive it over the coming weeks, as indicated in the official changelog. Please stay ahead by regularly updating WhatsApp from the App Store and the TestFlight app to get the feature in the future in case you don’t have it after installing this update.
The ability to link your account to a secondary iPhone is finally available for iOS users that install the latest update of WhatsApp from the App Store. It is also available after installing the latest version of the WhatsApp Business app. Make sure to install this update to enjoy a better user experience.
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