WHATSAPP is testing a major new feature that will change the app for millions of users.
The update has been a WhatsApp fan request for years – but finally appears to be nearing launch.
In the latest test version of the app, WhatsApp has added a new account update.
It lets users easily switch between multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same device, as spotted by app super-sleuths at WABetaInfo.
This would be a massive boost for people who want to keep their personal and work WhatsApps totally separate, giving you a bit of peace on evenings and weekends.
With the new feature, you’d easily be able to use one WhatsApp account with its selection of chats – and then switch to another account with entirely different conversations.
So where is this magical feature? Currently, it’s hidden.
Before WhatsApp sets features live on every device around the world, it tests them first.
And it uses a special “beta” version of the app to do this, where certain users can try out secret features ahead of time.
That way, WhatsApp can work out whether to launch something, change it ahead of time, or scrap it completely
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And the new multiple accounts featured has been spotted inside the beta version of WhatsApp for iPhone.
This particular version will let you quickly swap between WhatsApp accounts from the Settings tab.
Importantly, you won’t need to totally log out of the app or restart it.
Each account will have its own dedicated chat history, and that’s not all.
The accounts will also retain specific notification settings and chat preferences (like having conversations automatically delete or whether media is saved by default).
You can simply tap on the other profile to switch to it – a bit like on Instagram.
It’ll appear under a new Account List option in WhatsApp’s Settings menu.
You’ll be able to add accounts tied to different phone numbers there.
And there’ll also be the option to remove accounts from that phone too.
It’s worth noting that this feature could change before launch, so some of these design choices might not carry through to the general release.
WHAT’S NEW IN WHATSAPP?
Here are some of the new features that WhatsApp says it has added in 2025…
- Live and Motion Photos
- New chat themes with Meta AI
- New backgrounds with Meta AI
- New sticker packs (Fearless Bird, School Days, Vacation)
- Easier group search
- Document scanning on Android
Picture Credit: WhatsApp
And there’s also no word on exactly when this change will roll out to the general public either.
But this isn’t the only change that WhatsApp is cooking up.
The company is also preparing to add usernames to WhatsApp.
This is meant to solve the problem of having to share your phone number with people to communicate.
Usernames would add an additional layer of privacy, and remove the reliance on phone numbers.
Meta-owned WhatsApp is also reportedly planning to let users reserve usernames.
And there might be the option to borrow usernames from other Meta-owned apps like Facebook and Instagram.
However, while username support has been spotted in testing, the feature hasn’t yet rolled out to the general public.