WhatsApp testing the ability to use the same user account on multiple devices

WhatsApp is allegedly testing using the same user account on up to four different devices at the same time, based on hints discovered in WhatsApp beta for Android by WABetaInfo.

Logging in to WhatsApp on an additional iPhone or Mac may require authorizing access via verification codes, but no details were provided. One of the screenshots shows a new Linked Devices feature. It’s unclear when and if, for that matter, this feature might roll out publicly.

This way overdue capability would solve the major problem where losing your mobile phone number means losing your WhatsApp account, too, in one fell swoop. Currently, the Facebook-owned messaging service won’t let you use the same account on another phone without transferring your number to the new device.

While it’s possible to use WhatsApp on both mobile and desktop at the same time, this requires opening WhatsApp’s web interface on your computer and using WhatsApp for iPhone to scan the QR code provide by WhatsApp Web, which links your phone number to that computer.

To say that this is a bit clunky would be an understatement because rival messaging platforms already do this. For instance, Rakuten-owned Viber not only provides a proper desktop app, but also makes it super easy to stay logged in to both devices at the same time.

Thoughts?