Where Is "Link Devices" on iPhone — and What Does It Actually Do?
If you've gone looking for a "Link Devices" option on your iPhone and can't find it, you're not alone. The confusion usually comes from one of two places: the feature exists under a slightly different name or location depending on your iOS version, or you're thinking of a feature that belongs to a different app or service entirely. Here's a clear breakdown of what this feature is, where to find it, and why its location shifts depending on your setup.
What "Link Devices" Means on iPhone
"Link Devices" isn't a standalone system-wide iPhone setting. Instead, it appears as a feature inside specific apps — most commonly WhatsApp — and occasionally in account-based services like iMessage or iCloud. The term describes the ability to connect your iPhone account or session to another device (like an iPad, Mac, or web browser) so they share the same data, messages, or account state.
The most common place users encounter this phrase is in WhatsApp, where "Linked Devices" lets you use your WhatsApp account on up to four additional devices without those devices needing their own SIM or phone number.
Where to Find "Linked Devices" in WhatsApp on iPhone
If WhatsApp is what brought you here, here's exactly where to look:
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone
- Tap the Settings tab (bottom-right corner, gear icon)
- Tap Linked Devices
- Tap Link a Device to add a new one, or manage existing linked sessions
From this screen, you can see every device currently connected to your WhatsApp account, when each was last active, and remove any you no longer use or don't recognize.
📱 The exact appearance of this menu can vary slightly between WhatsApp versions. If you don't see it immediately, make sure your app is updated through the App Store.
Where to Find Device Linking in iMessage and FaceTime
Apple's own iMessage and FaceTime don't use the phrase "Link Devices" directly, but they have equivalent functionality — allowing the same Apple ID to send and receive messages across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
To manage which devices share your iMessage account:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone
- Tap your name at the top (Apple ID)
- Scroll down to see all devices signed into your Apple ID
To manage iMessage specifically:
- Go to Settings → Messages → Send & Receive
- Here you can see which phone numbers and email addresses are active for iMessage on your account
For FaceTime, the equivalent is:
- Settings → FaceTime → You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At
These aren't labeled "Link Devices" but functionally serve the same purpose — tying your identity and conversations across multiple Apple hardware.
iCloud and "Link Devices" Confusion
Some users arrive at this question after setting up a new iPhone or restoring from backup, where Apple prompts you to link the new device to your Apple ID. This process runs through:
- Settings → Sign in to your iPhone (if not already signed in)
- Or Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud for managing what syncs
Again, Apple doesn't use "Link Devices" as the literal button label, but the behavior — associating a device with an account for synced data, photos, contacts, and backups — is what people typically mean when they search for it.
Variables That Affect Where You'll Find This
The reason this gets confusing is that the location depends entirely on which app or service you're linking through. A few factors determine your experience:
| Factor | How It Affects the Location |
|---|---|
| App version | Older WhatsApp versions placed this under a different menu path |
| iOS version | Apple's own device management UI shifts slightly between major iOS releases |
| Account type | Personal Apple ID vs. Managed/Work Apple ID can restrict device linking options |
| App permissions | Some enterprise MDM profiles limit which devices can be linked to which accounts |
| First-time setup vs. ongoing management | Initial linking and reviewing linked devices happen in different spots within the same app |
What Happens When You Link a Device 🔗
Understanding the mechanics helps you use this feature more deliberately:
- In WhatsApp, linked devices operate independently from your phone after the initial QR scan. Your phone doesn't need to stay online for the linked device to function (this changed in a 2022 update).
- In Apple's ecosystem, linking is persistent — devices stay associated with your Apple ID until you explicitly sign out or remove them from your account page.
- Security implication: Any device linked to your messaging account can read your conversations. Reviewing your linked devices periodically — especially after lending your phone or using a shared computer — is a reasonable habit.
When "Link Devices" Doesn't Appear at All
If you've looked through the app and the option isn't there, a few things could explain it:
- Outdated app version — WhatsApp, in particular, rolls out features gradually; updating the app usually resolves this
- Business vs. personal account — WhatsApp Business has a different interface structure
- iOS restrictions — Screen Time settings or MDM profiles on managed devices can hide or disable certain app features
- Regional rollouts — Some features reach different markets at different times
The right path — and whether any limitations apply to your device — depends on your specific iOS version, which apps you're working with, and how your Apple ID or device is configured.