WhatsApp Chief Confirms Rollout of Multi-Device Support in Next 2 Months

3 years ago 147
BOOK THIS SPACE FOR AD
ARTICLE AD

WhatsApp has confirmed the rollout of several new features on its platform. This includes a new Disappearing Mode, a new View Once feature, and the anticipated multi-device support. These features were confirmed by none other than Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart. They divulged this information through a unique WhatsApp chat with a renowned features tracker. Cathcart also offered hope on opening up iOS beta sign-ups and support for iPad devices in the future.

Popular WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo was invited into a unique group chat with Cathcart and Zuckerberg. The two executives confirmed in the chat that a new Disappearing Mode feature will be rolled out soon. This will, by default, turn on disappearing messages for all future chats and make the WhatsApp experience more ephemeral. Currently, users can turn on Disappearing Messages in groups and chats individually, but Disappearing Mode will enable it fully across chats and groups in the app.

Another feature that Zuckerberg confirmed through the conversation is ‘View Once' and it will enable users to send content and have it disappeared after the person sees it. With this enabled, the recipient can only open photos and videos once before they disappear from the chat.

Zuckerberg and Cathcart also confirmed multi-device support and said that testing for public beta users will roll out in a month or two. Zuckerberg explained that the feature took a while to develop as there were several challenges. For instance, he said, “It's been a big technical challenge to get all your messages and content to sync.” However, the company has managed to iron out all issues and says that users will soon be able to use same WhatsApp account on multiple devices, without logging out from any of them.

Cathcart added that getting multi-device support right will enable WhatsApp to work on support for iPad as well. Furthermore, he added that WhatsApp will consider opening beta sign-ups for some more iOS users soon and that multi-device support will allow users to link up to 4 devices at once.


It's an all television spectacular this week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, as we discuss 8K, screen sizes, QLED and mini-LED panels — and offer some buying advice. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on Twitter, Facebook, and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Tasneem Akolawala is a Senior Reporter for Gadgets 360. Her reporting expertise encompasses smartphones, wearables, apps, social media, and the overall tech industry. She reports out of Mumbai, and also writes about the ups and downs in the Indian telecom sector. Tasneem can be reached on Twitter at @MuteRiot, and leads, tips, and releases can be sent to tasneema@ndtv.com. More

Related Stories

Read Entire Article