WhatsApp is working on this switch to sync contacts for linked devices
WhatsApp for Android is rolling out a new privacy-related feature for managing synced contacts, according to details shared by a feature tracker. The feature could add new functionality to the multi-account feature that lets users use two WhatsApp accounts on the same device without having to use parallel apps. The change will let users choose how they want to sync their address book contacts. It builds on other recently introduced beta features on WhatsApp for Android, including a new shortcut to mark all chats as ‘read’ at once.
According to to provide tracker WABetaInfo, the contact sync feature will allow users to manage their address book syncing when using WhatsApp across devices. It was spotted on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.18.14. When it eventually rolls out, users will reportedly be able to choose the contacts they want to sync to their phone for different accounts.
New Contact Sync Feature on WhatsApp
According to the screenshot shared by the feature tracker, it will arrive with a new UI with the description “Keep your contacts separate for each account”. Apart from managing contact syncing, it would also allow users to manage WhatsApp contacts from the linked devices.
WABetaInfo claims that the new shortcut is still in development and is not even available to beta testers registered through the Google Play Beta program. It may be rolled out with a future update to WhatsApp for Android. However, it is crucial to note that WhatsApp may be working on several new features, but not all of them will make it to the public version of the app.
WhatsApp Chat Management Shortcuts in Development
WhatsApp for Android is also reportedly testing another feature for better chat management. After the rollout, users may have the ability to clear their unread messages by marking all received messages as “read” using a new option that will appear in the overflow menu at the top-right corner of the screen.
There is also speculation that a similar ‘mark as read’ feature is in the works for the iOS version of the app, as the messaging platform typically provides the same functionality across its apps for iOS and Android smartphones.
