WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. With so many people using WhatsApp across multiple devices, a common question is how to check exactly which devices are connected to your WhatsApp account.
Why Check Connected Devices?
There are a few key reasons why you may want to check which devices are connected to your WhatsApp account:
- Security – To make sure there are no unauthorized devices logged into your account
- Manage multiple devices – If you use WhatsApp on multiple phones/tablets, to keep track of which devices are connected
- Troubleshooting – If you are having connection issues, checking connected devices can help identify any problems
- Lost/stolen phone – If you lost your phone, you can check that it’s no longer connected and disconnect it
Knowing exactly which devices are accessing your WhatsApp account is important for maintaining security and managing your account across multiple devices.
Check Connected Devices on Android
If you use WhatsApp on an Android device, here are the steps to check connected devices:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your Android phone
- Tap on the 3 dot menu icon in the top right
- Go to Settings > Linked devices
- Here you will see all the devices linked and connected to your WhatsApp account
The Linked Devices screen will show the names of each device (e.g. Samsung S10, iPhone 11 Pro) along with the date and time it was last connected to your WhatsApp.
This allows you to clearly see and identify which devices are currently or have recently been connected to your WhatsApp account. If you see any unknown or unauthorized devices, you can disconnect them from this screen.
Check Connected Devices on iPhone
On an iPhone, the steps to see connected WhatsApp devices are very similar:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Tap on Linked Devices
- View the list of devices linked to your account
This will display the names and last connected time for all devices linked to your WhatsApp. You can also disconnect any devices you don’t recognize or want connected.
Checking Connected Devices on WhatsApp Web
In addition to mobile devices, you may also have WhatsApp connected on a computer through WhatsApp Web or desktop apps. Here’s how to see these linked devices:
- Go to WhatsApp on your phone and open Settings
- Tap Linked Devices
- Look under ‘Computers’ to see any desktop devices linked
This will show any desktops/laptops that have WhatsApp Web or desktop app connected to your WhatsApp account. The device name and last connected time will be displayed.
Managing and Disconnecting Devices
Once you’ve checked the devices linked to your WhatsApp account, you have options to manage the list:
- Disconnect – You can disconnect any device you don’t want connected to your WhatsApp anymore. Just tap ‘Disconnect’ next to the device.
- Logout – Logging out a device will remove your WhatsApp account and data from that device.
- Delete – For desktop devices, you can remotely delete the app data from that computer.
It’s a good security practice to periodically check connected devices and disconnect any you don’t use anymore or don’t recognize. This prevents unauthorized access.
Troubleshooting When Device Doesn’t Appear
If you are missing a device you normally use WhatsApp on, there are a few steps to troubleshoot:
- Restart WhatsApp – Close and reopen the app on your phone
- Check internet connection – Make sure your phone has an internet connection
- Update WhatsApp – Install any pending updates to the app
- Reinstall WhatsApp – As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
- Log in on device – Try logging in to your WhatsApp account fresh on the missing device
In most cases, restarting the app or device should resolve any temporary glitches. If the device still doesn’t show, you may need to re-verify your WhatsApp account on that device.
How to See When a Device was Last Active
In addition to checking connected devices, you can also see the last time a linked device was active or used WhatsApp:
- Go to Linked Devices and tap on a device
- You will see the ‘Last active’ status showing when it was last online
This can help identify unused or old devices that you may want to disconnect from your WhatsApp account. You can also compare the last active times across devices.
Conclusion
Checking connected devices on WhatsApp is quick and easy on both iPhone and Android. Take a few minutes to view the Linked Devices list and confirm only your recognized phones, tablets and computers are connected to your account. Disconnect anything you don’t want accessing WhatsApp anymore.
Keeping tabs on your connected devices is a good security practice and ensures you know exactly which of your gadgets are linked to your WhatsApp at any given time.