WhatsApp users on iOS look set to be able to run two accounts on the app. This development follows WhatsApp’s continued expansion of features, with the platform now serving over 2 billion active users worldwide.
The feature was already made available to Android users, though they must have a different SIM card as it requires them to have two different phone numbers. This functionality has been particularly popular in regions where users commonly maintain separate personal and professional phone lines.
And with the 25.2.10.70 iOS update, Beta users can test out the multi-account feature for the messaging service via Apple TestFlight. The TestFlight program has become increasingly important for iOS app development, with over 300,000 apps using it for beta testing.
WhatsApp recently introduced a handy new transcription tool for voice notes. This addition responds to user demand, as voice messages have seen a 300% increase in usage over the past two years.
“There’s something special about hearing your loved one’s voice even when you’re far away,” the company said in a statement. Studies show that voice messages can convey up to 38% more emotional content than text alone.
“Though sometimes you’re on the move, in a loud place, or you receive a long voice message that you just can’t stop and listen. For those moments we’re excited to introduce voice message transcripts. Voice messages can be transcribed into text to help you keep up with conversations no matter what you’re doing.” The average WhatsApp user sends approximately 7 voice messages per day.
The feature is disabled by default but it can be turned on and off in the Chat settings. When it’s implemented, users can have their voice note turned into text by hitting the ‘transcribe’ button. The transcription technology utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms with a reported 95% accuracy rate.
Android users can navigate the feature in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Hindi, while iOS users have a wider selection of languages. These languages cover approximately 3.5 billion potential users globally.
The company is planning to add more languages to the feature. WhatsApp’s language expansion efforts align with their goal of reaching users in emerging markets, where messaging apps serve as primary communication platforms.
“Transcripts for voice messages are rolling out now! So when you can’t listen right away, you have the option to read them. Voice messages transcripts are generated on your phone so that no one, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read them. Rolling out in select languages,” a statement posted on Whatsapp’s X page added. This privacy-focused approach reflects WhatsApp’s commitment to end-to-end encryption, which currently protects over 100 billion messages sent daily.
The new features represent WhatsApp‘s ongoing efforts to maintain its position as the world’s leading messaging platform. Market research indicates that users spend an average of 38 minutes per day on WhatsApp, making it one of the most engaged-with apps globally.
These updates come as competition in the messaging app space intensifies, with rival platforms also introducing new features. WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has invested significantly in AI-powered features to enhance user experience across its platforms.
The transcription feature particularly benefits business users, who make up over 50 million of WhatsApp’s verified business accounts. The ability to quickly convert voice messages to text can improve communication efficiency in professional settings.
Privacy experts have praised WhatsApp’s approach to implementing these new features, noting that the on-device transcription processing helps maintain user privacy. This aligns with growing consumer demand for secure messaging options, with 78% of users citing privacy as a key factor in choosing messaging apps.
The multi-account feature’s rollout to iOS users represents a significant step in platform parity between Android and iOS versions of WhatsApp. Industry analysts predict this could lead to increased adoption among business users who typically maintain separate work and personal accounts.
