July 10, 2026, 5:37 am | Read time: 2 minutes
WhatsApp may simplify linking additional devices in the future. Instead of connecting a smartphone and a computer or laptop exclusively via QR code, a passkey could also be used.
Hints of this have been discovered by the portal “WABetaInfo” in the code of the Android app. WhatsApp already uses passkeys for login. Confirmation is not done via SMS code but through the security features of the respective device, such as fingerprint, facial recognition, or screen lock.
This method is intended to prevent unauthorized access to an account. According to the hints discovered by WABetaInfo, this technology could also be used in the future when adding additional devices.
So far, the use of passkeys in WhatsApp is limited to login. Device linking is still done via QR code.
QR Code to Remain Available
The planned innovation would not replace the QR code. Instead, it would provide an additional way to connect more devices to an existing WhatsApp account. When a new device is registered via a passkey, WhatsApp displays a confirmation request on the smartphone. Once approved, the linking can proceed.
Users could choose whether to add another device as before via QR code or through a stored passkey.
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It is not yet known when WhatsApp will provide the feature. The hints come exclusively from the code of the Android app. Whether and when the passkey linking will actually be released remains open.