“To achieve this,” WhatsApp says, “we had to rethink architecture and design new systems to enable a standalone multi-device experience while preserving privacy and end-to-end encryption.” It will start pretty much right away with a “limited public beta,” but then the live rollout will see users around the world gradually invited to opt into the new feature. We’ve been talking about it for years, and the platform’s boss Will Cathcart and his boss Mark Zuckerberg confirmed it was coming during an impromptu online interview last month.īut now it’s finally here. That multi-device access is coming to WhatsApp is no secret. “For years,” their formal announcement, released today, says, “people have been asking us to create a true multi-device experience that allows people to use WhatsApp on other devices without requiring a smartphone connection.” When they called to tell me about this new update, the team were genuinely excited. And while iMessage does sync across all a user’s trusted devices, as soon as you message someone outside Apple’s ecosystem, the blue iMessage bubbles turn green and there’s no security anywhere to be seen.Ĭue WhatsApp. Signal is very much security first, and that means no syncing between linked devices-each is essentially an independent endpoint attached to a user's account, only operating while linked. It’s no mean feat-and both do it seamlessly.īut neither is perfect. No, the trick that iMessage and Signal have achieved is to link devices without compromising security. This update comes in the wake of Meta’s announcement that they are currently working on a feature to allow users to silently leave group chats without notifying others, and rumours on the addition of a feature to hide users’ online status.Facebook Messenger and Telegram also offer multi-device options, of course but neither end-to-end encrypt by default, and so they have issues of their own. However, those interested will likely need to monitor the page for an opening, as it currently displays a message saying that the beta is currently full. Their FAQ page also includes a mention on the development of an upcoming native Mac version of the desktop application, adding that those keen on helping with testing can sign up for the TestFlight of the app here. Users who are unsure if they have already received the update can check the version of their app by clicking the menu button (the three horizontal dots about chats), going to settings, and selecting help, which will display the version number.įor those who are still stuck on the web-based version 2.222.8.14 and can’t wait for the rollout, fret not, there is always the option of installing the beta version of the client available here on the Microsoft store, which should include all the features of the pending rollout. While WhatsApp says that the new desktop app is now live and available to users, it appears that it is currently being gradually rolled out with some users still being on the previous web-based version of the application.īased on screenshots from those who have already received the update, the latest version of the native WhatsApp desktop client is 2.2231.12.0, while some users have not yet received the update and are still on version 2.222.8.14. The point on “optimisation” likely refers to the advantage of native apps on Windows being able to receive notifications even when they are closed, which will be an option for users in the latest client. The Meta-owned messaging platform claims increased reliability and speed, updated design and optimisation for the desktop operating system, along with the ability to continue receiving notifications and messages even when a user’s phone is not connected to the Internet.ĪLSO READ: Want to leave a group chat on the sly? WhatsApp is working on it According to WhatsApp, the latest update to their Windows client is now available to users and is a huge upgrade compared to the original web-based version.
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