WhatsApp has just rolled out a significant update through the beta program, as reported by WABetaInfo. The headline feature in this release is the ability to monitor “connected peripherals” directly linked to your account. This addition is particularly relevant following the recent release of a dedicated WhatsApp app for the Apple Watch, as it aims to bridge the visibility gap between your iPhone and your wearable devices.
The term “connected peripheral” in this context refers to devices that link to your WhatsApp account automatically, bypassing the traditional QR code scanning or six-digit verification process. Currently, this supports the new Apple Watch app, which syncs in the background to provide a seamless messaging experience from your wrist. This automatic connection is incredibly convenient, as it removes the friction of manual setup every time you want to use WhatsApp on your watch. However, until now, there was no centralized way within the iPhone app to verify that this background connection was active or legitimate.
You can find this new information nestled within the familiar “Linked Devices” section of your WhatsApp settings. Just like the standard list of desktop or web sessions, each peripheral entry displays the device’s name and the last time it was active. If you see a device listed here that you don’t recognize or own, it serves as an immediate red flag that prompts you to investigate further.
One distinct difference between standard linked devices and these new peripherals is how you manage their access. Unlike a web session that you can remotely log out of with a single tap, you cannot manually disconnect a peripheral from the WhatsApp settings screen on your iPhone. To remove a peripheral like the Apple Watch, you must physically uninstall the app from the watch itself, which stops the synchronization and eventually removes it from the list.
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