How to Link WhatsApp to Another Phone: Companion Mode (2026)

Overview: WhatsApp lets you use the same account and phone number on multiple phones simultaneously using Companion Mode, officially called Linked Devices. The second phone works independently, receives all your messages, and stays active even when your primary phone is offline. This guide covers the exact steps for Android and iPhone, the WhatsApp Web alternative for temporary use, what linked phones can and cannot do, and how to remove devices when needed.

For businesses managing outbound WhatsApp campaigns from one account, a WhatsApp bulk message sender free tool handles those campaign sends separately from your device linking setup.

Before following any steps, confirm which outcome you actually need, the process is completely different.

This guide covers linking, Companion Mode, where both phones remain active. If you are switching to a new primary phone, that is a transfer, not a link, and the process involves backup and restore instead of a QR code scan.

The companion phone is the second device you want to add. Your primary phone is the one already running your WhatsApp account.

On the companion (second) Android phone:

• Download and install the latest WhatsApp from Google Play Store, or open WhatsApp if it is already installed.
• On the welcome screen, tap the three-dot menu (top right corner).
• Tap Link to Existing Account.
• A QR code appears on the companion phone screen. Keep this screen open.

On your primary phone:

• Open WhatsApp.
• Tap Settings > Linked Devices.
• Tap Link a Device.
• Authenticate with your fingerprint, Face ID, or phone PIN when prompted.
• The camera opens. Point it at the QR code on the companion Android phone.
• The scan completes in under 2 seconds. The companion phone begins syncing your chats.

Syncing takes a few minutes depending on how many chats you have. Once complete, your companion Android phone shows your full WhatsApp chat list and is ready to send and receive messages.

Also Read: How to Create a Poll in WhatsApp: Android, iPhone and Web

On the companion iPhone:

• Install the latest WhatsApp from the App Store, or open it if already installed.
• On the welcome screen, tap Agree and Continue.
• Look for the text "Or link this device to an existing account" and tap it. This option appears below the phone number field on the setup screen.
• A QR code appears on the iPhone screen. Keep this screen visible.

On your primary phone (Android or iPhone):

• Open WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices.
• Tap Link a Device.
• Authenticate when prompted.
• Scan the QR code shown on the companion iPhone.
• The link completes and the companion iPhone begins syncing your chats.

If you cannot install the WhatsApp app on the second phone (or only need temporary access), WhatsApp Web works in any mobile browser. The WhatsApp Web login guide covers the full setup. Here is the mobile-specific version for a second phone:

• On the second phone, open Chrome or any browser.
• Go to web.whatsapp.com.
• The browser may show a WhatsApp download page. Tap the three-dot menu > Desktop Site to switch to desktop view.
• Reload the page. The WhatsApp Web QR code appears.
• On your primary phone, go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device.
• Scan the QR code shown in the browser on the second phone.
• WhatsApp opens in the browser. You can now send and receive messages.

The browser session stays active even when your primary phone is offline (subject to the same 14-day rule), but the browser tab must remain open for notifications to work.

Also Read: WhatsApp Business Account Banned: Why and How to Avoid It

Linked phones have almost all the functionality of your primary phone, with a few specific exceptions.

WhatsApp automatically logs out all linked devices if your primary phone has not been online for 14 consecutive days. This is a security measure.

For most users who pick up their primary phone at least once every two weeks, this rule never becomes an issue. But it is worth knowing if you intentionally keep your primary phone powered down for extended periods.

View all linked devices:

• Open WhatsApp on your primary phone.
• Go to Settings > Linked Devices.
• All currently linked devices are listed with their name (or model) and the date they were last active.

Remove a linked device:

• In the Linked Devices list, tap the device you want to remove.
• Tap Log Out Device (or Log Out).
• The device is unlinked immediately. It loses access to your WhatsApp account.

You can only manage linked devices from your primary phone. A companion device cannot view or remove other linked devices.

Linking WhatsApp to a second phone is secure by design, end-to-end encryption is maintained across all devices and each phone has its own encryption key. For broader account security practices, securing your WhatsApp business chats covers additional steps worth taking alongside linked device management.

Enable two-step verification: Go to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification and set a 6-digit PIN. This adds an extra layer of security that prevents someone from linking your account to a new device without the PIN.

Review linked devices regularly: Check Settings > Linked Devices once a month. If you see a device you do not recognize or no longer use, remove it immediately.

Log out of shared or borrowed devices: If you use WhatsApp Web on a friend's phone or a public device, remove that session from your Linked Devices list as soon as you are done. Do not rely on the other person to log out for you.

Set up app lock on the companion phone: If the companion phone is accessible to others (family members, shared household), enable a screen lock or app lock for WhatsApp on that device so your conversations stay private.

QR code scan fails or times out: The QR code refreshes every 60 seconds for security. If the scan takes longer than that, a new code appears on the companion phone, just scan the new one. Make sure both phones have an active internet connection during the scan.

Cannot find "Link to Existing Account" option: Update WhatsApp on the companion phone from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone). The Companion Mode option requires a WhatsApp version from April 2023 or later. On older versions, this option does not appear.

Chats are not syncing after linking: The initial sync can take several minutes if you have a large chat history. Keep both phones connected to a Wi-Fi network and leave WhatsApp open on both during the sync. If syncing stops, close and reopen WhatsApp on the companion phone.

Companion phone keeps getting logged out: Check that your primary phone is connecting to WhatsApp at least once every 14 days. If you rarely use your primary phone, open WhatsApp on it briefly to reset the inactivity counter. Also confirm you have not reached the 4-device limit, check Settings > Linked Devices on your primary phone.

Maximum linked devices reached: WhatsApp allows a maximum of 4 companion devices. If you have reached the limit and need to add another, go to Settings > Linked Devices on your primary phone, remove one of the existing devices, and then link the new one.

Linking WhatsApp to a second phone through Companion Mode takes under two minutes and requires only a QR code scan between the two devices. The companion phone then works as a full WhatsApp device, receiving messages, making calls, and syncing in real time, even when your primary phone is offline, up to the 14-day inactivity limit.

For permanent second-phone use, install the WhatsApp app and link via Companion Mode. For temporary access on a borrowed phone, WhatsApp Web in a browser is faster and does not require installing anything. Manage your linked devices from Settings > Linked Devices on your primary phone and remove any device you no longer need.

For businesses managing outbound WhatsApp campaigns from one number across multiple team devices, Roklo is a free bulk message sender that handles how to send bulk WhatsApp messages to a full contact list from a browser, no API required, no saved contacts needed.

Also Read: WhatsApp Marketing Strategies: 10 Proven Tactics for 2026