WhatsApp testing huge 'secret' feature that will change the app for millions of users
A highly requested update that WhatsApp users have been asking for over the years finally appears to be close to becoming reality.
In the latest test version of the messaging app, WhatsApp introduced a new account management feature that lets users switch between multiple accounts on a single device.
According to app tracking experts at WABetaInfo, users could use one WhatsApp account with its own set of conversations, then easily switch to another account containing entirely different chats.
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This would be a game-changer for people wanting to separate their personal and work WhatsApp accounts.
Right now, the update is not publicly available as it is still undergoing extensive tests, but we're probably looking towards 2026. When it's ready for rollout, the Meta-owned app uses a 'beta' version, allowing select users to trial certain features before the rest of the public gets access. This testing phase helps WhatsApp decide whether to launch a feature, make modifications or get rid of it entirely.
Already, the new multiple accounts feature has been discovered within the iPhone beta version of WhatsApp. Like Instagram and Facebook, Apple users can swap between multiple WhatsApp accounts in the Settings tab.
The beta currently supports up to two accounts, which can be 'newly created numbers, existing accounts from WhatsApp Business or other devices, or companion accounts linked via QR code scanning,' MacRumors explained.
Each account will have its own chat history, notification settings, backup configurations, privacy controls and chat preferences. So, users can choose to enable auto-delete conversation settings or default media saving options on their accounts.
Under the 'Accounts List,' users can add accounts linked to different phone numbers and can also remove them from the device. For iPhone users, the feature is reportedly compatible with App Lock, which requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode when switching to protected accounts. To avoid confusion, WhatsApp should display both the sender's name and the account that received the message.
But since it's still in beta, some parts of the design might differ in the final public release.
Meanwhile, the messaging app is currently developing a username system for WhatsApp. The feature aims to address the issue of having to share phone numbers with people to communicate on the platform.
Usernames would provide an extra layer of privacy and reduce dependency on phone numbers for connecting with others.