WhatsApp update: One account may be used on up to 4 different devices simultaneously in a future patch

Options to access a WhatsApp account on multiple devices at the same time is very limited right now. Fortunately, an update to remedy that is reportedly in the pipeline.

WhatsApp’s highly requested feature could become a reality soon

The Facebook-owned messaging app is reportedly getting an update that would finally deliver the highly requested feature allowing users to access the same account in multiple devices. WABetaInfo reported that the coveted feature is already in development. WhatsApp developers are said to be testing the feature to work for up to four different devices.

Right now, a WhatsApp user can open their account on a desktop computer by opening the WhatsApp Web on a browser. However, it remains dependent on the smartphone or tablet’s connection that carries the mobile app. This explains why the device with the mobile app needs to be connected to the internet for the account to be accessible on a desktop browser. WhatsApp Web is also unusable when the phone or tablet has a low battery charge or when it is turned off.

Once the reported feature is released, these limitations should no longer be an issue for WhatsApp users. WABetaInfo suggested that the update might also include chat history syncing so that conversations are updated on all the devices where the same account is logged in.

WhatsApp cross-platform support with other Facebook-owned messaging services looms

The imminent addition of a top-requested feature is not the only major change that awaits WhatsApp users. It was recently reported that Facebook has started merging its facilities for the messaging platforms that it owns, which include WhatsApp. The company also owns the Facebook Messenger and the Instagram that has its own Direct Message function.

The Verge images on how this affects the Facebook-owned apps. In one of the screenshots, a message appears to notify Instagram users to update the app that will then automatically merge it with the Facebook Messenger. After installing the update, the Instagram app will start to display the Messenger icon on the top right corner of the screen.

WhatsApp is part of Facebook’s plan of offering cross-platform communication among its messaging services, but it is unknown when the app will receive this update. As of July, Statista reports that WhatsApp is the most downloaded messaging app with over 2 billion installs followed by Facebook’s Messenger with 1.3 billion downloads.