Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows Nigerians and other users across the globe to use their WhatsApp on a smartphone and four other devices “simultaneously.”

This was disclosed in a recent statement by the messaging app.

“With this new capability, you can now use WhatsApp on your phone and up to four other non-phone devices simultaneously — even if your phone battery is dead,” said WhatsApp.

With the new feature, WhatsApp said users could connect four different devices to their WhatsApp account without a smartphone being the primary device.

“Each companion device will connect to your WhatsApp independently while maintaining the same level of privacy and security through end-to-end encryption that people who use WhatsApp have come to expect.

“Important, we have developed new technologies to maintain end-to-end encryption while still managing to sync your data — such as contact names, chat archives, starred messages, and more — across devices,” the statement added.

The messaging will test run the new feature within a small group of its users before making it available to all its users.

“We plan to initially test the experience with a small group of users from our existing beta program. We will continue optimising performance and adding a few additional features before slowly rolling it out more broadly. Those who opt in can always opt back out,” WhatsApp explained.

Since its launch in 2009, WhatsApp has garnered close to two billion subscribers worldwide.