Whatsapp Users Could Get a Welcome Phone Feature With Support for Multiple Accounts

For millions of iPhone users, the digital divide between “work” and “life” has historically required a physical divide: carrying two handsets. But that era is ending. In a major architectural shift for its iOS platform, Meta has begun rolling out WhatsApp Multi-Account Support to beta testers. This long-awaited update (version 25.34.10.72) eliminates the need for the “WhatsApp Business” workaround, allowing users to seamlessly toggle between two phone numbers within a single app interface. While Android users have enjoyed this flexibility since late 2023, the arrival on iPhone marks a significant maturation of Apple’s app ecosystem and a massive quality-of-life upgrade for gig workers, privacy advocates, and enterprise users alike.

Key Facts & Executive Summary

• The Breakthrough: WhatsApp iOS Beta v25.34.10.72 enables adding a second mobile number to the main WhatsApp application.
• Target Audience: Professionals with dual-SIM iPhones (eSIM + Nano SIM) who previously carried two devices.
• Privacy Architecture: Accounts are “sandboxed”—chats, notifications, and settings from Account A are invisible to Account B until you switch.
• Release Timeline: Currently available via TestFlight (Beta); global public rollout expected by December 2025/January 2026.
• Market Parity: This brings iOS features in line with the Android version released in October 2023.

The “Two-Phone” Struggle

To understand the magnitude of this update, one must understand the friction it solves. Since the introduction of Dual-SIM iPhones in 2018 (starting with the iPhone XS/XR), Apple hardware has been capable of supporting two phone numbers. However, software lagged behind.

For seven years, WhatsApp strictly enforced a “one device, one account” policy. Users desperate to separate their personal life from their professional correspondence had three poor options:

1. Carry two phones: Heavy, expensive, and inconvenient.
2. Use WhatsApp Business: Install the Business app for the second number—a functional but imperfect solution that labels personal numbers as “Business Accounts” to contacts.
3. Unofficial Clones: Risky third-party apps that often violated Terms of Service and compromised data security.

The new WhatsApp Multi-Account Feature solves this natively. By leveraging the secure enclave capabilities of modern iOS, Meta has found a way to run two authenticated sessions simultaneously without data leakage.

Deep Dive: How the Feature Actually Works

Based on our analysis of the beta build and reports from WABetaInfo, the implementation is designed for “frictionless identity switching.”

1. The Setup Process

The days of logging out to log back in are over.

• Entry Point: Users navigate to Settings. A new arrow icon now sits beside the QR code button next to the profile name.
• The Card Menu: Tapping this reveals a bottom sheet card menu showing the current active account and an option to “Add Account.”
• Verification: The user enters the second phone number. An OTP (One-Time Password) is sent via SMS (or call) to that number. Note: The SIM card for the second number must be active in the phone (via Dual SIM) or in a nearby phone to receive the initial OTP.

2. Session Management & Notifications

This is where the engineering shines. Both accounts remain active in the background.

• Idle State: Even if you are using your “Personal” account, the “Work” account is listening for incoming packets.
• Notification Handling: When a message arrives for the inactive account, the push notification explicitly tags it. For example: “[Work] John Doe: See you in the meeting.”
• Switching Speed: Switching accounts takes approximately 0.5 to 1 second—there is no loading bar or data fetch delay. It is instant.

3. Siloing Settings

Meta has ensured that settings do not bleed across accounts.

• Privacy: You can disable “Read Receipts” on your work profile while keeping them on for your personal profile.
• Profile Data: About info, Profile Photos, and Status updates are completely independent.
• Bio-metrics: FaceID locks apply to the app level currently, meaning unlocking the app grants access to the currently active account. Beta testers have requested granular locking per account, which is currently under review.

Comparative Analysis: Old vs. New Way

Why switch if you are already using the WhatsApp Business workaround?

Verdict: Unless you actually run a business that needs auto-replies and catalogs, the Native Multi-Account feature is superior in every way for personal/work separation.

Expert Analysis: The Security & Strategy Angle

Why did this take so long? And what does it mean for the industry?

The “Sandboxing” Challenge

We spoke to mobile security analyst Dr. Aris Vlachos regarding the delay on iOS.

“iOS operates on a very strict ‘sandbox’ model where apps are walled off from each other and the system. Running two instances of a database within a single app container on iOS is significantly more complex than on Android, which has a more open file system. Meta likely had to rewrite their local database architecture (SQLite) to support distinct containers for message history within the same app ID to satisfy Apple’s App Store guidelines.”

Meta’s “Super App” Ambition

This update aligns with Meta’s broader goal of identity fluidity. On Instagram and Facebook, users have long been able to switch between profiles. Bringing this to WhatsApp is a critical step toward a unified “Meta Identity.”

Furthermore, as noted by TechRadar in mid-November 2025, this prepares the ground for Username-based connection. Once usernames are fully rolled out, your “account” will be less tied to a phone number and more tied to a digital handle. Multi-account support is the infrastructure required to make usernames viable.

Impact on The Gig Economy & Digital Well-being

The societal impact of this feature is non-trivial.

1. The “Right to Disconnect”

For employees in high-pressure environments (finance, law, tech), the inability to “turn off” work on a personal device contributes to burnout. The new feature allows users to mute the Work account entirely during weekends while keeping the Personal account active. This provides a psychological boundary that was previously impossible without a second phone.

2. Privacy for Gig Workers

Uber drivers, TaskRabbits, and freelance consultants often have to share their numbers with strangers.

• Scenario: A driver can now spin up a secondary prepaid eSIM, add it to WhatsApp as a “burner” account for client comms, and keep their primary number private—all on their main iPhone.

Troubleshooting & Limitations (Beta Phase)

While promising, the current Beta (v25.34.10.72) has known limitations that users should be aware of before the full release:

• Call History Merging: In the current iOS native phone app, WhatsApp audio calls from both accounts appear in the generic iPhone “Recents” list. This can be confusing as it doesn’t always clearly label which account took the call.
• Companion Mode Conflict: You cannot currently use “Companion Mode” (linking a second phone) and Multi-Account simultaneously in a stable manner. It is recommended to stick to one method of expansion.
• Backup Complexity: iCloud backups currently create a unified backup file. If you restore your chat history on a new phone, it attempts to restore both accounts. This increases the size of the backup significantly, which might force users to upgrade their iCloud storage plans.

What to Watch Next

The rollout of multi-account support is likely the first domino in a series of Q1 2026 updates for WhatsApp iOS:

1. iPad Support: A native iPad app has been in “beta limbo” for years. Multi-account support is likely a prerequisite for a proper iPad app that can handle independent logins.
2. AI Integration: With Meta AI becoming a core part of the chat experience, multi-account support will likely allow for different “AI Personas” or context memories for work vs. personal chats.

Conclusion

The arrival of the WhatsApp Multi-Account Feature on iPhone is a triumph of utility over complexity. By effectively killing the need for a second phone, Meta has saved users money and pocket space. More importantly, it has handed control back to the user, allowing them to define the boundaries between their various identities.

As the beta concludes and the global rollout begins, this will likely become the default way millions of people interact with the world: one device, many lives.