Companion Mode, WhatsApp’s upcoming multi-device support feature, has been rolled out to a select group of users for testing, WABetaInfo reports. First discovered to be in development back in May, it is discovered that this particular mode works differently from the platform’s existing Linked Devices feature.
To quickly recap, Companion Mode would finally allow you to link your primary device to a secondary smartphone or a tablet seamlessly – both of which are not supported by WhatsApp’s Linked Devices feature. This way, you can use your account on them without needing to wipe it from the main device.
It is unclear how many devices are supported by the newer feature, given that Linked Devices enables for up to four devices to be linked to a single WhatsApp account. On that note, it is also uncertain whether Companion Mode is designed to work separately or replace the older feature altogether.
According to WABetaInfo, linking your secondary device via Companion Mode works similarly to Linked Devices, where all you have to do is scan a QR code from your main smartphone. Interestingly, it is also discovered that you could link a WhatsApp account configured on an iPhone to an Android tablet. WABetaInfo adds that once your messages are finally synced between the two devices, you can start using the messaging service on your secondary without having the primary connected to the Internet.
Based on the screenshots provided, WhatsApp will log you out from an existing account if one is detected on your secondary device. In addition, all data (chats, media, contacts) related to it will be permanently erased, so be sure to backup everything if you intend to continue using that second account.
As before, it is not known when WhatsApp is planning to officially debut the new Companion Mode feature. That being said, seeing that the platform has begun testing it to select users, it might not be long until it will be made available to a wider group and, eventually, be released to all users.
(Source: WABetaInfo)
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