WhatsApp Business on Multiple Devices and for Multiple Users

The WhatsApp Business app lets you use one number on your phone plus up to four linked devices, such as WhatsApp Web, the desktop app or another phone. With a paid Meta Verified plan that includes multi-agent, that rises to up to 10 devices, with chats assigned to agents.

For bigger teams, the WhatsApp Business API has no device limit: everyone logs in to a shared inbox with their own account. This guide explains each option, its limits, and which fits a team of 2, 10 or 50.

Option 1: linked devices in the WhatsApp Business app

WhatsApp’s Help Center says the Business app supports “up to four linked devices and one phone at a time”. Linked devices can be WhatsApp Web, the Windows or Mac app, an Android tablet or iPad, or a second phone added as a companion.

1. On the main phone, open WhatsApp Business → Linked devices → Link a device.
2. Scan the QR code shown on WhatsApp Web, the desktop app or the companion phone.
3. Repeat for up to four devices.

• Linked devices keep working when the main phone is offline, but they log out if the phone isn’t used for more than 14 days, and an unused linked device is disconnected after 30 days.
• Some features don’t work on linked devices, such as broadcast lists and posting status.
• Everyone shares one login: there’s no record of who replied, no assignment, and anyone can read every chat.

Option 2: Meta Verified with multi-agent (up to 10 devices)

Businesses with a paid Meta Verified (or Meta One) subscription that includes multi-agent can link up to 10 devices, name each device, assign chats to agents and see which agent sent a message. WhatsApp’s tiers are 4 devices on Standard, 6 on Plus, 8 on Premium and 10 on Max.

• Availability is limited to select businesses and locations, and the price depends on your country and plan.
• With more than 4 linked devices, calls ring only on the main phone.
• If the subscription ends, only the 4 most recently active devices stay linked.

Option 3: the WhatsApp Business API with a shared inbox

Meta says businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform can connect “thousands of agents and bots”. You don’t link devices at all: your number is connected to a provider, and your team logs in to the provider’s inbox in a browser or on their phones.

• Own logins and roles: owners, managers and agents, so people see what they need.
• Assignment: chats shared out automatically (for example round-robin) or by a manager.
• Internal notes, statuses and follow-ups that customers never see.
• Automation that runs without a phone online: keyword replies, chatbots and AI.
• Reports on who replied, how fast, and how many chats each person handled.

Which option fits your team?

Rule of thumb: 1 or 2 people answering a handful of chats a day can stay on the app. A sales or support team, or anyone who needs assignment, reports or automation, is better off on the API. More on bulk sending in WhatsApp broadcast limits.

Keep the app and add the API: coexistence

With WhatsApp coexistence, you connect your existing WhatsApp Business app number to the API and keep using the app on your phone. Your team works in the shared inbox while you still see and send messages from the app. Coexistence has its own limits (for example up to 4 companion devices, no WhatsApp for Windows, and 20 messages per second), so read WhatsApp coexistence before you switch.

Multiple users in Automate AI

• Unlimited users on every plan, each with their own login as owner, manager or agent, and departments.
• Round-robin auto-assignment, with reassignment and a reopened chat assigned again.
• Internal notes, statuses, follow-ups, pinned chats and drafts, like WhatsApp.
• Staff activity report: messages sent, status changes, follow-ups and chats closed per person.
• Phone-friendly: the inbox installs on your phone like an app.

See the shared team inbox or the plans on our pricing page.