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WhatsApp rolls out multi-device support to all iPhone users

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WhatsApp multi-device beta
Activate the beta today.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp’s handy multi-device feature is now rolling out to all users on Android and iPhone, making it easier to access your messages on other devices. The upgrade finally makes WhatsApp a little less reliant on your smartphone.

Sadly, multi-device support still does not allow you to use WhatsApp on two different smartphones — like you can with rival messaging services.

WhatsApp rolls out encrypted chat backups on iPhone

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WhatsApp encrypted chat backup
Ensuring only you have access to your chat data.
Image: WhatsApp

WhatsApp’s encrypted backups features is now rolling out on iPhone. Users can create a password to prevent unauthorized access to their chat data, while still uploading it to iCloud or Google Drive for their convenience.

The feature ensures that your WhatsApp chats are protected, even if the backup file itself somehow makes it into the wrong hands.

Facebook’s 6-hour outage is the result of one small slip-up

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Facebook outage
Oops.
Photo: Sofitel/Flickr/Cult of Mac

“A faulty configuration change.” That’s all it takes to bring three of the world’s biggest social platforms to their knees for more than six hours, according to an apology issued by Facebook after Monday’s disastrous outage.

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp became unavailable worldwide between approximately 9:15 a.m. PDT and 3:30 p.m. PDT on October 4. Facebook said it has no reason to believe user data was compromised during this time.

WhatsApp’s promise of end-to-end encryption may be a complete lie

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WhatsApp encryption message
WhatsApp says no one — not even WhatsApp — can read your messages.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp promises to protect every one of its 2 billion users with end-to-end encryption that ensures their messages cannot be seen by anyone outside of the original conversation. But does it live up to that promise?

A new report alleges that the Facebook-owned messaging platform uses artificial intelligence and more than 1,000 contract workers to examine “millions of pieces of users’ content” using “special Facebook software.”

That’s despite Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg telling the U.S. Senate in 2018 that “we don’t see any of the content in WhatsApp.”

WhatsApp patches security hole that could expose sensitive user data

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Facebook messaging apps
Keep your app up to date to stay safe.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp recently patched a serious security vulnerability that could expose sensitive user data. Security researchers discovered the hole, which could be exploited by opening an attachment that contained a malicious image file.

More recent versions of WhatsApp now check the integrity of image that has been edited with filters to keep users safe.

WhatsApp for Mac gets new public beta ahead of multi-device upgrade

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WhatsApp has debuted its official OS X native app.
Try out new WhatsApp features early on Mac and Windows.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp now allows anyone to beta test its desktop app for Mac and Windows. You can enroll in its new public beta program today to get your hands on the newest updates early — and you won’t want to miss it.

By gaining access to the beta, you’ll be one of the first to try out WhatsApp’s incoming multi-device overhaul when it finally starts rolling out.

WhatsApp will stop working on iPhones running iOS 9

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WhatsApp-dark-mode
Make sure you'll be able to continue using WhatsApp.
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac

WhatsApp has updated its app requirements, meaning that all users must now run at least iOS 10, as released in 2016.

That means that iPhone 4s users can no longer run the popular messaging app. Instead, anyone who wants to use WhatsApp must have an iPhone 5 or later. Otherwise WhatsApp will stop working.

WhatsApp will cut off message sending and receiving for users who don’t agree new terms

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WhatsApp-dark-mode
New rules come into effect in May.
Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac

Users who don’t get on board with WhatsApp’s terms and conditions will be unable to send or receive messages after May 15. While calls and notifications will continue to work for a short while, this will supposedly only be for a period of a “few weeks.”

WhatsApp first announced the changing privacy policies in January. The changed policy notes that, “As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies.”

Facebook’s spat with Apple keeps getting uglier

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Facebook’s spat with Apple keeps getting uglier
Facebook continues to attack Apple, with the social-networking giant accusing Apple of unfair business practices.
Photo: PxHere

The war of words between Facebook and Apple heated up further on Wednesday, with the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating, “we increasingly see Apple as one of our biggest competitors.” And the rivalry between the might be headed to court, with the social-networking giant accusing Apple of using the App Store to disadvantage rivals.

Beeper app promises to bring iMessage to Android and Windows

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Beeper brings iMessage to Android and Windows
15 different chat platforms in one.
Photo: Beeper

Beeper is a new all-in-one chat app that merges 15 different platforms into one. That sounds pretty interesting already, but what makes Beeper really exciting is its promise to put iMessage on Android and Windows.

The app, from Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky and his team, is “using some trickery” to make the impossible possible. But you’ll have to cough up a monthly subscription fee if you want to take advantage of it.

This app lets you easily move WhatsApp chat histories between iOS and Android

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Dr. Fone - WhatsApp Transfer
With Dr. Fone - WhatsApp Transfer, moving chat histories between iOS and Android devices is no longer a puzzle.
Photo: Wondershare

This WhatsApp chat transfer post is presented by Dr.Fone.

When you get a new device and transfer your WhatsApp account to it, you might be surprised to find your past conversations don’t automatically make the trip from the old device. Thankfully, WhatsApp transfer, backup and restore are nice and simple with Wondershare’s Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer, even when you’re going from an iPhone or iPad to an Android device (or vice versa).

The functionality is part of Shenzhen, China-based Wondershare’s popular Dr.Fone suite, which includes various apps covering everything from screen unlocking and system repair to data recovery and backup for iOS and Android devices.

WhatsApp starts pushing out increased group call limit for all

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WhatsApp group calls
Look out for the newest WhatsApp update.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp has begun rolling out a big increase to its group call limit that will make it easier to keep in touch with colleagues and loved ones while stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s now possible to have voice and video calls with up to eight people. The change comes just days after code hinting at a new limit was spotted in an early WhatsApp beta release.

WhatsApp may increase group call limit to help keep us connected

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WhatsApp group calls
WhatsApp currently allows just four people in a single group call.
Photo: WhatsApp

Seeing friends and family in person just isn’t possible during a global pandemic, so WhatsApp could be making some changes to ensure that we can still have face-to-face contact (via a screen) without leaving our homes.

Changes in the app’s latest beta release suggest the limit for group audio and video calls will soon increase. It currently allows for just four participants at any one time, while others — like Facebook Messenger — can support up to 50.

WhatsApp outlines its mission to keep you safe during COVID-19

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whatsapp-logo
It includes tighter restrictions on message forwarding.
Photo: WhatsApp

WhatsApp on Tuesday outlined measures to keep its more than 2 billion users safe and secure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measures include tighter limits on message forwarding, and working with organizations and governments like the World Health Organization to help connect user with more accurate information.

“We believe that now more than ever people need to be able to connect privately,” WhatsApp said. “Our teams are hard at work to keep WhatsApp running reliably during this unprecedented global crisis.”