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Comment by gcatalfamo | Hacker News Reader

For some reason, certainly not technical, they are still not allowing multiple numbers on the same device, with the same ease I can switch accounts on instagram, for example.

(web vs app workaround are clearly not the right way to go)

And, honestly, if bots and spam is what they were really worried about, allowing "two numbers" instead of just one would already be plenty for 99.999% of people that would gladly avoid carrying to devices (typically, personal and work)

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Workaround I've been using for a while: You can install both the "regular" WhatsApp and the "Business" version, those are separate apps in the App Stores. This way you can set up your personal number on the regular WhatsApp and your work number on WhatsApp for Business.

Although valid, this is in fact a workaround not meant to be a stable solution, because it has the drawback of de-activating that number-whatsapp link on the first phone you used it on.

edit: I am stupid, as the latest feature actually allows this workaround to become a permanent solution...

On Samsung phones you can clone the app with a few taps which gives you the same functionality.

Still annoying though.

The Dual Messenger is a great feature, in addition to the business version. IIRC, you can also have separate instances running in the secure folder too.

In my phone I can go to Settings->Apps->Dual Apps and enable WhatsApp. This creates a clone of the app, which can be registered with a second number. When you open WhattsApp you can select which of the two you want to open. Have been using this for probably 2+ years now...

AFAIK, this only works if you have 2 SIMs on your phone. If both SIMs stay in their respective phone, I can't enable dual apps.

p.s. also, this feature is Android only, I think.

I think I enabled this with a SIM in another phone and entered the SMS based OTP, but I can't be sure. In any case, right now I only have one SIM in the device, and the dual app continues to work without a problem.

Yes, it's Android. Not surprised that it doesn't work on iOS.

There are some bugs. Contacts that show up in one app doesn't show in the second one. At least that's my experience.

This is probably because that implementation of multiple apps is using the built-in Android Work features. That isolates contacts by default.

If you sync contacts into work mode, it should work.

> In my phone I can go to Settings->Apps->Dual Apps and enable WhatsApp.

Is that specific to some Android device manufacturer? I have a dual SIM Android phone with two SIMs, and I don't see that option.

It's there in Xiaomi and a few others. It essentially creates a separate sandboxed space for the entire phone. Apps, settings, themes, everything is isolated. Both the SIMs are accessible in either space.

It is specific to mostly non-Google OEMs.

On Pixel phones and other devices which don't support Dual Apps, you can create a "Work Profile". It is a completely isolated section of your phone and you can install another copy of Whatsapp by opening the playstore in your work profile.

https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/6191949?hl=en

You can provision a Work profile on Android using Island (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng....) and install two instances of WhatsApp. Although, this does require the second SIM also on the same phone.

Yes, I currently have three numbers and I had to carry two iPhone with me. Already using Whatsapp and Whatsapp Business.

I wish Whatsapp Business actually allow Multiple Numbers with Subscriptions. Still dont understand why Meta dont monetise it. I have been send emails begging for them to charge me for certain business features.

> allowing "two numbers" instead of just one would already be plenty for 99.999% of people

I expect they already have a solution that is plenty for 99.999% of people.

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