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WhatsApp Tests Multiple Account Support in iPhone Beta

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Apr 12, 2001
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WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows iPhone users to manage two separate accounts within the same app, according to WABetaInfo.

Whatsapp-Feature.jpg

As found in the latest TestFlight beta on iOS, the feature introduces a new "Account List" section in the settings menu, where users can add a second account without needing to go near WhatsApp Business or attempt any sort of workaround.

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. Each account maintains separate chat histories, backup configurations, notification settings, and privacy preferences.

To switch between accounts, users can access the Account List section, press and hold the Settings tab for quick selection, or double-tap the Settings tab to automatically switch to the next account. When notifications arrive, WhatsApp displays both the sender's name and which account received the message to avoid confusion.

whatsapp-multiple-accounts.jpeg

The feature is compatible with App Lock, which requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode when switching to protected accounts. WhatsApp hasn't said when the multiple accounts feature will go live for the general public, but the testing stage suggests we won't have to wait too long.

Article Link: WhatsApp Tests Multiple Account Support in iPhone Beta
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/19/whatsapp-tests-multiple-account-support-ios/
I closed my WhatsApp account just to get rid of the "share on WhatsApp" button under every Facebook post.
 
This has been on Android for a couple years now I believe, and it's always felt like they did this to give a poorer WhatsApp experience on iPhone than on Android because Apple limited Meta's ability to track users on Apple devices. I haven't been able to get loads of people to switch over to Signal, but I sure try every chance I get.
 
I am not sure this would be a commonly used feature.

Instead of focusing on a niche option like this, why not prioritise simpler features such as scheduled send?

Although I suppose having two accounts means more data to collect that can be sold by Zuck.
 
  • Disagree
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tomtad said:
And iMessage continues its nosedive into oblivion.

It could have been the worlds leading messaging platform if only they'd made an Android app years ago, and this was being pushed internally by Shiller I think.

Oh well.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that’s a clever strategy that could have allowed them to eat most of the market. And being an iOS native app, it could have incentivized people to get an iPhone as their next device.

Instead, they chose to keep the messaging system“exclusive” for their customers, which may work if there’s a high iPhone implementation on the market (such as the US), but isn’t ideal if most people is an Android user…

I’m afraid the market is mature enough so we could see any change at this point, even if they made it available on Android. And on the current scenario, Meta’s WhatsApp plays a big role, unfortunately.
 
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tomtad said:
And iMessage continues its nosedive into oblivion.

It could have been the worlds leading messaging platform if only they'd made an Android app years ago, and this was being pushed internally by Shiller I think.

Oh well.
Click to expand...

They should have opened it. I'm in the US and I barely use it as my family and friends are split pretty 50/50 between Apple and Android. Wife is fully Android, daughter just uses Snap Chat, and her and her friends think that the default messaging app (including iMessage) is for old people. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I still think about this often, where Steve said FaceTime would be an open standard. Same deal:

Screenshot 2025-11-19 070443.png
 
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tomtad said:
And iMessage continues its nosedive into oblivion.

It could have been the worlds leading messaging platform if only they'd made an Android app years ago, and this was being pushed internally by Shiller I think.

Oh well.
Click to expand...

It's likely that Apple doesn't trust manufacturers using Android. Samsung for example does datamine extensively as stated in their EULA. Other manufacturers like Huawei do just the same. It's their business model.

Is iMessage going into oblivion? No, it works just fine for many. Never had much trouble communicating with others hooked to Android phones. SMS is just fine. Whenever someone needs to send pictures, we've got email and that works on any platform.
 
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WarmWinterHat said:
They should have opened it. I'm in the US and I barely use it as my family and friends are split pretty 50/50 between Apple and Android. Wife is fully Android, daughter just uses Snap Chat, and her and her friends think that the default messaging app (including iMessage) is for old people. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I still think about this often, where Steve said FaceTime would be an open standard. Same deal:

View attachment 2580836
Click to expand...

Apparently there were some law suits and patent challenges. These days there are so many competing video-chat apps and none of them are really compatible with each other.
 
Powerbooky said:
It's likely that Apple doesn't trust manufacturers using Android. Samsung for example does datamine extensively as stated in their EULA. Other manufacturers like Huawei do just the same. It's their business model.

Is iMessage going into oblivion? No, it works just fine for many. Never had much trouble communicating with others hooked to Android phones. SMS is just fine. Whenever someone needs to send pictures, we've got email and that works on any platform.
Click to expand...
End-to-end encryption doesn't need much trust.

It's also not so much about people "hooked to Android phones". It's about everyone just using Whatsapp. Messages is the least used app on most phones outside the US, which will eventually catch up.
 
Powerbooky said:
It's likely that Apple doesn't trust manufacturers using Android. Samsung for example does datamine extensively as stated in their EULA. Other manufacturers like Huawei do just the same. It's their business model.

Is iMessage going into oblivion? No, it works just fine for many. Never had much trouble communicating with others hooked to Android phones. SMS is just fine. Whenever someone needs to send pictures, we've got email and that works on any platform.
Click to expand...
SMS sends in plain text, and RCS will eventually be end to end encrypted between Apple and Android.
I can't remember the last time I sent an email for photos.
 
Mr. Heckles said:
SMS sends in plain text, and RCS will eventually be end to end encrypted between Apple and Android.
I can't remember the last time I sent an email for photos.
Click to expand...

Maybe.. As I said earlier, our 15 year old and her friends HATE regular SMS/RCS/iMessage texting, and say it's only for old people.. Is it? I don't know, but they only use it reluctantly.

My relatives in Europe (Germany, mainly) do not use SMS or iMessage and RCS isn't available. My sister is Canada still uses iMessage with me and my brother, and that was her primary way to message, but has been switching to WhatsApp as most of her friends coworkers and in-laws have been doing.

I just don't see a lot of headwinds for iMessage.
 
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I am so used to using both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business on my phone (with different notification tones for each one), that I do not see any advantage on blending them into one single app.
 
one more said:
I am so used to using both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business on my phone (with different notification tones for each one), that I do not see any advantage on blending them into one single app.
Click to expand...
Same here, and the account on Whatsapp Business has fallen into disuse. These days I often find that companies introduce features that would have made me happy many years ago, but have become irrelevant by now.
 
fondacio2020 said:
Same here, and the account on Whatsapp Business has fallen into disuse. These days I often find that companies introduce features that would have made me happy many years ago, but have become irrelevant by now.
Click to expand...
They are not being blended. Look beyond your own usage and consider those who actually have more than one number or have numbers in more than one country.
 
Mr. Heckles said:
SMS sends in plain text, and RCS will eventually be end to end encrypted between Apple and Android.
I can't remember the last time I sent an email for photos.
Click to expand...
Plain text, yes... for me that's enough to get a quick message across. And when I do send a large amount of pictures or documents via SMS/iMessage, I use the iCloud links over Apple Messages, SMS or email.

Anyway, I've seen several messaging apps over the years rise and fall. And maybe WA will be considered "for old people" in a couple of years. Who knows?
 
I actually want to merge two Whatsapp Account into one. So I get to keep one number only.
 
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