WhatsApp is working on another security-focused feature that could help users identify potentially unsafe ways of accessing their accounts through the web.
The Meta-owned messaging platform is reportedly testing a new warning for Android users who connect their accounts through an unofficial or third-party WhatsApp Web client. The alert is expected to appear in the Linked Devices section and encourage users to switch to the official WhatsApp Web experience.
The feature is currently being tested, and there is no confirmed timeline for its wider release.
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WhatsApp Tests Warning for Unofficial Web Clients
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a warning that can notify users when their account is connected through an unofficial WhatsApp Web client.
The warning is expected to appear inside the Linked Devices section of the WhatsApp app. This is where users can already view computers and other devices connected to their account.
According to the reported design, the warning will appear toward the bottom of the screen and ask users to switch to the official WhatsApp Web client to keep their account safer.
Users will reportedly be able to dismiss the warning if they want to continue using the third-party client.
Why Is WhatsApp Warning About Third-Party Web Clients?
Unofficial WhatsApp Web clients can create additional privacy and security risks.
When users connect their accounts through third-party software, they may not know exactly how that software handles their messages, media, files or other account information. While the official WhatsApp Web service is designed to work with WhatsApp’s security infrastructure, unofficial clients may introduce additional risks.
This can be particularly concerning because some third-party clients are designed to look similar to the official WhatsApp interface. As a result, users may not immediately realize that they are connecting their accounts through an unofficial service.
The new warning could make this easier to spot before users continue using such a client.
Warning Will Appear in Linked Devices
The Linked Devices section is likely to be an important part of this feature.
WhatsApp already uses this area to show users which devices are connected to their accounts. Adding a warning here could give users more information about how their account is being accessed.
Instead of silently allowing a connection through an unofficial client, WhatsApp could notify users and recommend moving to its official web service.
This would also give users a simple way to review their connected sessions and remove devices they don’t recognize.
WhatsApp Recommends Using Official Web Client
For users who access WhatsApp from a computer, the safest approach is to use the official WhatsApp Web service.
Users should also be careful when installing browser extensions, desktop applications or other tools that claim to provide an enhanced WhatsApp Web experience. Some unofficial tools may request access to account information or messages without users fully understanding the risks.
If an unfamiliar device appears in the Linked Devices section, users should remove it rather than leaving the connection active.
WhatsApp Is Also Testing Scam Alerts
The unofficial Web client warning comes as WhatsApp continues to work on other security and privacy features.
The company has also been testing a Scam Alert feature designed to help users identify potentially suspicious messages.
The feature uses an on-device machine-learning system to detect possible scam patterns. When WhatsApp identifies a suspicious conversation, it can show a warning and provide options to block or report the chat.
The feature is intended to give users another layer of protection without requiring their private messages to be sent to WhatsApp’s servers for this type of detection.
Users can also ignore the warning if they believe the message has been incorrectly flagged.
WhatsApp Web Continues to Get New Features
WhatsApp has been expanding its web experience beyond simple messaging.
The web version now supports audio and video calling, including one-to-one and group conversations. Calls are also protected with end-to-end encryption.
WhatsApp Web users can also use features such as screen sharing and reactions during calls, making the platform more useful for people who regularly use WhatsApp from a computer.
As more features move to the web, keeping linked accounts and connected devices secure becomes increasingly important.
When Will the New Warning Be Available?
For now, the warning for unofficial WhatsApp Web clients is still in development.
WhatsApp has not announced an official release date, and the feature may change before it becomes available to a larger group of users.
As with many WhatsApp beta features, testing does not guarantee that the feature will immediately reach the stable version. The company could also expand the warning to more platforms in the future.
What WhatsApp Users Should Do
Until the feature becomes widely available, users can take a few simple precautions.
Always use the official WhatsApp applications and the official WhatsApp Web service when accessing your account from another device. It is also worth checking the Linked Devices section regularly and removing any session that you don’t recognize.
Users should be especially cautious about third-party applications that promise additional WhatsApp features or a modified Web experience.
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Final Thoughts
WhatsApp’s upcoming warning could be a useful privacy and security addition, particularly for users who may not realize that they are accessing their account through an unofficial Web client.
By placing the alert directly in the Linked Devices section, WhatsApp could make it easier for users to identify potentially risky connections and switch back to the official Web experience.
The feature is still being tested, so it may be some time before it reaches all Android users. Until then, sticking with official WhatsApp apps and services remains the safer option.