WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the useful features of WhatsApp is the ability to link your account to multiple devices, allowing you to access your chats from your phone as well as a computer or tablet.
A common question for many WhatsApp users is – can I see a history of all devices that have been linked to my account? The answer is yes, WhatsApp does provide a way to view your linked devices history and when they were last active.
Viewing Linked Devices on WhatsApp
Here are the steps to view your linked devices history on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone
- Go to Settings
- Select ‘Linked Devices’
- You will now see a list of all devices linked to your account and when they were last active
This ‘Linked Devices’ screen shows the device name (e.g. ‘iPhone’, ‘Desktop’), along with the last time that device was actively connected to your WhatsApp account. It provides a handy log of each device linked to your account.
History Available for Last 90 Days
WhatsApp retains the linked devices history for the last 90 days. So you will be able to see any devices linked and used with your account over the last 3 months.
If you see an unknown or unauthorized device in your list, that you don’t recognize linking to your account, it’s recommended you take action immediately to unlink it and secure your account.
Number of Devices That Can Be Linked
WhatsApp currently allows you to link up to 4 devices in addition to your phone. So in total you can have WhatsApp active on up to 5 devices at the same time. This includes:
- 1 smartphone (your main WhatsApp device)
- 4 additional linked devices – like laptop, tablet, desktop computer
If you already have 5 devices linked, and try to link a 6th device, WhatsApp will automatically unlink the device that has been inactive for the longest time.
How to Unlink a Device
If you see an unknown or unauthorized device linked to your account, here are the steps to unlink it:
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices
- Tap on the device you want to unlink
- Tap ‘Unlink’
This will immediately unlink that device from your WhatsApp account so it can no longer access your chats and messages.
Logging Out on Linked Device
Simply unlinking a device from your phone will not automatically log that device out of your WhatsApp account. If you want to remotely log out a linked device:
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices
- Tap on the device you want to logout
- Tap ‘Log Out’
This will remotely log that device out of your WhatsApp account. To access WhatsApp on that device again, you will need to scan the QR code from your phone to link it again.
Know When Devices Are Active
The Linked Devices screen will show you the last time and date each linked device was ‘active’ and connected to your WhatsApp account. This helps you identify:
- Devices you’re currently using with WhatsApp
- Old devices that are still linked but haven’t been used in a long time
- Any unknown devices that may be linked without your knowledge
It’s a good idea to check this screen occasionally to see your active and linked devices. If you see any unauthorized devices, unlink them immediately.
Conclusion
Viewing your linked devices history is easy in WhatsApp and provides a useful log of all the devices connected to your account. It enables you to:
- See all active and inactive devices
- Identify any unauthorized devices
- Unlink old or unknown devices
- Remotely log out devices when needed
Keeping track of your linked devices helps ensure the security of your WhatsApp account and messages. Check your linked devices regularly and unlink any that look suspicious or unauthorized.
| Device | Last Active | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Today at 9:30 AM | Unlink |
| Samsung S10 | 2 days ago | Log Out |
| MacBook Pro | 5 days ago | Unlink |
| Motorola G5 | 3 months ago | Unlink |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp notify when a new device is linked?
Yes, whenever a new device is linked to your WhatsApp account, you will get a notification on your phone with details of the newly linked device.
Can I see linked devices history on desktop?
No, the ability to view linked devices history is currently only available on the WhatsApp mobile app, not the desktop version.
Is there a limit to how far back linked devices history is shown?
Yes, WhatsApp will only show details of linked devices from the last 90 days. Any devices linked prior to that time period will not show up.
Can I unlink a device remotely?
Yes, you can remotely unlink a device by going to Linked Devices on your phone’s WhatsApp and tapping ‘Unlink’ on the device you wish to remove.
If I get a new phone, will it automatically unlink my old phone?
No, getting a new phone does not automatically unlink your old phone. You will need to manually unlink your old phone by going to Linked Devices on your new phone.
Is there a limit on number of devices that can be linked?
Yes, currently WhatsApp allows linking your account to up to 4 additional devices. So in total 5 devices can be linked including your phone.
Is the linked devices history the same across platforms?
The linked devices history syncs across platforms. So the list of linked devices will be the same whether you view it on an Android phone, iPhone or WhatsApp Web.
Can I see when a particular device was linked?
The Linked Devices screen shows when each device was last active. It does not show the original date that a device was linked.
Can I view linked devices history of other users?
No, the linked devices history is only visible to your own account. You cannot view the linked devices of other WhatsApp users.
Does deleting my WhatsApp account also unlink all devices?
Yes, if you delete your WhatsApp account entirely, it will also unlink and log out of all linked devices at the same time.
Summary
The ability to view linked devices on WhatsApp helps users monitor and control devices connecting to their accounts. It enables identifying unauthorized logins, unlinking old devices, and remotely logging out when needed. Users are advised to periodically check their linked devices to ensure account security.