Upcoming beta WhatsApp Web no longer requires internet connection on phone

An upcoming version of WhatsApp Web no longer requires the phone to have an active internet connection. There will also be support for using WhatsApp Web on multiple devices at the same time. It is still unknown how it works.

The Facebook subsidiary wants to make it possible to use up to four devices at the same time, WABetaInfo reports. The beta cannot be used yet, but the site already has several screenshots of the notifications that WhatsApp will give users.

It is still unknown how the function works. Chats in WhatsApp are encrypted, so in principle only the phone can decrypt them. Therefore, the active internet connection on the phone is needed; this allows the phone to make the chats readable for use on other devices.

Future builds will include the ability to mute or delete chats from WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop. This is now only possible on the phone. It is still unknown when the new features will work.

Also in the new beta of WhatsApp is a new screen to accept conditions. The new terms and conditions will come into effect from February 8 and include changes to data usage and integration with Facebook products such as Video Calling Device Portal.