Through a limited public beta test, WhatsApp will allow users to have WhatsApp active on their phone and up to four other non-phone devices simultaneously, even if the phone battery is dead.

Each device will connect to WhatsApp independently, with end-to-end encryption kept in place for each device.

Encryption will also remain despite data such as contact names, chat archives and messages being synced between devices.

The company plans to initially test the new feature with a small group of users from its existing beta program, before slowly rolling it out more broadly. Users who opt in will be allowed to opt back out.

A statement from WhatsApp said: “For years, people have been asking us to create a true multi-device experience that allows people to use WhatsApp on other devices without requiring a smartphone connection.

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