WhatsApp is testing new side-by-side view feature on Android tablets: Report

WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new feature for Android tablet users. This will enable users to switch between multiple chats simultaneously, without losing track of the active chat. This will look similar to what is currently available on WhatsApp for Web. It is still being tested among select beta users, but a stable version of the feature is expected to be released soon. Since WhatsApp works on new features and upgrades for Android and iOS devices almost simultaneously, it’s likely that we’ll hear about an iPad version of a similar feature in the near future.

WhatsApp feature tracker website WABetaInfo said in a new report that the social media platform is bringing a side-by-side mode, which will allow users to view and access multiple chats on the same screen. Individual active chats will be shown together with a split screen-like layout, as seen on the WhatsApp for Web interface. This is helpful for users who need to frequently access multiple chats at the same time and also gives them more control over the app layout.

As can be seen in the screenshot shared in the above report, users will be offered a toggle option that will allow them to enable and disable the feature as per their convenience. The option can be accessed through whatsapp settings , chat , side view,

Side-by-side option can be seen in the screengrab
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

Currently, the feature is only available for select beta users who are on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.9.20. The report suggests that gradually, a more stable version of the feature will be released to all Android tablet users with future updates.

Notably, WhatsApp also recently announced that users can link up to four devices to their WhatsApp account. It has to be accessed with a primary registered smartphone and a QR code, just like the WhatsApp web login process. The company noted that they are also working on an OTP-based authentication option for this newly launched multi-device login feature.