In a move that could redefine how iPhone users manage their digital lives, WhatsApp is reportedly testing a long-awaited feature: the ability to switch between multiple accounts on a single iOS device. This development, currently spotted in beta version 25.19.10.74, promises to streamline communication for users juggling personal and professional identities without the need for multiple devices or the WhatsApp Business app.
Until now, iOS users could only use one WhatsApp account per device – unless they resorted to workarounds like WhatsApp Business or third-party solutions. But the new feature introduces a native, seamless way to manage multiple accounts within the same app.
At the heart of this update is a new “Account List” section in WhatsApp’s settings. This centralized hub will allow users to:
- Add or remove WhatsApp accounts.
- View profile pictures and statuses for each account.
- Instantly switch between accounts without logging out or restarting the app.
Each account will retain its own chat history, media, notification tones, auto-download settings, and backup preferences – ensuring a clean separation between identities.
When a user switches to a different account, WhatsApp will:
- Load the corresponding chat history and settings.
- Update the interface to reflect the selected account.
- Maintain background functionality for other accounts, including notifications.
Notifications are also getting smarter. If a message arrives for a secondary account while the user is active in their primary one, the notification will display both the sender’s name and the account it belongs to. Tapping the alert will automatically switch to the relevant account and open the conversation.
This feature is a game-changer for:
- Professionals who manage both personal and business communications.
- Frequent travelers using multiple SIMs or eSIMs.
- Privacy-conscious users who prefer to keep different aspects of their lives compartmentalized.
It also aligns WhatsApp more closely with other Meta platforms like Instagram and Facebook, which already support multi-account switching.
As of now, the feature is still under development and not available even to beta testers via Apple’s TestFlight program. WhatsApp has not announced an official release date, but the presence of the feature in beta builds suggests it could arrive in a future update.
