Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

minhasbob

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2018
6
0
I just purchased a IPhone XR. Im using the e-sim for my personal line and the regular sim for my business line. The problem...I want two seperate whatsapp accounts for each line but currently Apple doesn’t let you do this. Is there a way around this? Samsung has a dual messenger in its advanced settings that allow for a second Whatsapp account on one device and I would really hate to have to switch to a Samsung. Will Apple have this same feature enabled in future updates?
 

minhasbob

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2018
6
0
It’s not 2 phone numbers on one whatsapp....it’s 2 separate whatsapp apps on one phone that I’m looking for.
 

jtara

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2009
2,008
536
You cannot install two copies of the same app on an iDevice.

Each app has an identifier that is typically (but doesn't have to be) in the form of a reverse domain-name. For example:

com.example.awesomegame

This actually gets prepended with an Apple-generated identifier unique to each publisher (or developer, if developer build). iOS will not install a duplicate copy with the same identifier.

You could do what you want if you are willing and able to use Signal instead of Whatsapp, and are a developer or willing to open a developer account. (Actually, I think there is some free option that is only a bit of a hassle signing because certificates expire after a week. I'm a developer, so not completely familiar with what your options are to avoid paying $99/year).

Build Signal from source with Xcode, and either install one from the App Store and one that you build yourself, or else install two that you build yourself, and give them different identifiers. In either case, the apps won't have the same identifiers.

As a developer, I do this all the time. (Not with Signal, but with my own apps!) I have one copy of our App Store app, and one or more under test, each using a different identifier. Makes it easy to compare the behavior of current production and versions under development or test.

If you use Signal, you also could have the option to run your own private server.

I don't know why anybody uses Whatsapp. I guess because it is popular. I hope people don't use it with the mistaken impression that it is very private.

Honestly, you might be better served by an Android device. See here:

https://www.android.com/enterprise/employees/
 
  • Like
Reactions: gaanee

minhasbob

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2018
6
0
Well whatsapp is a very popular chat app. For work I do group chats with my fellow employees. For personal I do group chats with family and friends. This is why I need 2 whatsapps on my dual sim iPhone. To get everyone to switch to a different messaging app will be impossible. Everyone I know uses whatsapp. Stupid cause aside from this I love the Apple phone

I may have to bite the bullet and go get a Samsung :(
[doublepost=1543815084][/doublepost]
You cannot install two copies of the same app on an iDevice.

Each app has an identifier that is typically (but doesn't have to be) in the form of a reverse domain-name. For example:

com.example.awesomegame

This actually gets prepended with an Apple-generated identifier unique to each publisher (or developer, if developer build). iOS will not install a duplicate copy with the same identifier.

You could do what you want if you are willing and able to use Signal instead of Whatsapp, and are a developer or willing to open a developer account. (Actually, I think there is some free option that is only a bit of a hassle signing because certificates expire after a week. I'm a developer, so not completely familiar with what your options are to avoid paying $99/year).

Build Signal from source with Xcode, and either install one from the App Store and one that you build yourself, or else install two that you build yourself, and give them different identifiers. In either case, the apps won't have the same identifiers.

As a developer, I do this all the time. (Not with Signal, but with my own apps!) I have one copy of our App Store app, and one or more under test, each using a different identifier. Makes it easy to compare the behavior of current production and versions under development or test.

If you use Signal, you also could have the option to run your own private server.

I don't know why anybody uses Whatsapp. I guess because it is popular. I hope people don't use it with the mistaken impression that it is very private.

Honestly, you might be better served by an Android device. See here:

https://www.android.com/enterprise/employees/
Lol I’m not a developer and no way I could build a app. I have tried options like tutu and ostman, but they are unstable and don’t work half the time.
 

jtara

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2009
2,008
536
You might want to look into Slack. I think it may be more suitable for work purposes. Then you could continue to use Whatsapp outside of work.

Whatsapp and Signal use the same protocol and encryption. The protocol was developed by the Signal project.

- Whatsapp is owned by Facebook. Signal isn't.

- Signal is open-source. Whatsapp isn't.

- Signal has been vetted by many security experts, hackers, and ordinary developers. . Whatsapp hasn't been. The Signal/Whatsapp protocol has been - assuming that Facebook is using the code unchanged, which is not a given.

- Signal knows the last time your account (identified only by phone number) made contact with their server. And that's all. Whatsapp collects and retains a lot of metadata.

- Facebook wants your data - connections, patterns of communication, etc. Signal doesn't. Signal actively avoids collecting it.

- Signal is currently being heavily-funded by one of the founders of Whatsapp. It was the first thing he (Brian Acton) did when freed from the shackles of Facebook. ($50M donation to Signal Foundation in February, 2018).

https://www.wired.com/story/signal-foundation-whatsapp-brian-acton/

Slack is probably better suited for your work chats in any case. That's what it was designed for.

Do you really want to give Facebook all the details of the connections between your co-workers (and any outsiders that are involved in the chats)? Do you trust Facebook with this data?

IMO, it's best for workplaces to keep their distance from Facebook. And, by extension, Whatsapp. Facebook begs to differ, and would love to worm their way further into the workplace. They'd love to have as close to possible of 100% of both employees goofing-off time, AND their productive work time. And all the data they can scrape from that.

Perhaps Apple will eventually come around to providing full work/personal separation. They have some catching up to do.

https://www.techradar.com/news/the-iphone-now-supports-dual-sim-but-what-about-dual-apps

As a practical matter, enterprises that allow or rely on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) have to support both iOS and Android. That doesn't mean they like it, though.
 
Last edited:

TimFL1

macrumors 68020
Jul 6, 2017
2,005
2,413
Germany
You might want to look into Slack. I think it may be more suitable for work purposes. Then you could continue to use Whatsapp outside of work.

Whatsapp and Signal use the same protocol and encryption. The protocol was developed by the Signal project.

- Whatsapp is owned by Facebook. Signal isn't.

- Signal is open-source. Whatsapp isn't.

- Signal has been vetted by many security experts, hackers, and ordinary developers. . Whatsapp hasn't been. The Signal/Whatsapp protocol has been - assuming that Facebook is using the code unchanged, which is not a given.

- Signal knows the last time your account (identified only by phone number) made contact with their server. And that's all. Whatsapp collects and retains a lot of metadata.

- Facebook wants your data - connections, patterns of communication, etc. Signal doesn't. Signal actively avoids collecting it.

- Signal is currently being heavily-funded by one of the founders of Whatsapp.

Slack is probably better suited for your work chats in any case. That's what it was designed for.

Do you really want to give Facebook all the details of the connections between your co-workers (and any outsiders that are involved in the chats)? Do you trust Facebook with this data?

IMO, it's best for workplaces to keep their distance from Facebook. And, by extension, Whatsapp. Facebook begs to differ, and would love to worm their way further into the workplace.
Some countries are just too invested into WhatsApp to move away from it. I know that here (germany) everyone is on WhatsApp cause it was the first proper cross platform texting app. Good advice but peer pressure makes it impossible to dump WhatsApp (if they don‘t pull a MySpace or BBM).
 

Paul bakker

macrumors newbie
Nov 24, 2018
11
0
I think this apps might help you
1.Parallel app
2.Dual space
3.parallel space- app lock
 

jtara

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2009
2,008
536
I think this apps might help you
1.Parallel app
2.Dual space
3.parallel space- app lock

AFAIK, those are all for Android only. Let us know if you know different.

If you're going to go Android, I would just get Knox-supported devices, and then you can dual ANYTHING, not just selected apps.
[doublepost=1543822703][/doublepost]
Some countries are just too invested into WhatsApp to move away from it. I know that here (germany) everyone is on WhatsApp cause it was the first proper cross platform texting app. Good advice but peer pressure makes it impossible to dump WhatsApp (if they don‘t pull a MySpace or BBM).

Kinda funny, since I installed Signal to talk to an American friend who's currently in Germany. Ya, he wanted to use Whatsapp. I convinced him to install Signal.

I dunno what you mean by "pull a MySpace or BBM"? You mean, "essentially, disappear from the face of the earth, leaving charming remnants?". No. The Borg.... er, Facebook wants to assimilate. I'll bet no longer a separate app, or else rebranded, and requiring a Facebook account, within a year.

BTW, as much as I dislike Facebook, I do use Instagram. I will continue to until they either require a Facebook account, or the advertising ratio goes above 50% - which it is dangerously close to right now.
 

minhasbob

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2018
6
0
AFAIK, those are all for Android only. Let us know if you know different.

If you're going to go Android, I would just get Knox-supported devices, and then you can dual ANYTHING, not just selected apps.
[doublepost=1543822703][/doublepost]

Kinda funny, since I installed Signal to talk to an American friend who's currently in Germany. Ya, he wanted to use Whatsapp. I convinced him to install Signal.

I dunno what you mean by "pull a MySpace or BBM"? You mean, "essentially, disappear from the face of the earth, leaving charming remnants?". No. The Borg.... er, Facebook wants to assimilate. I'll bet no longer a separate app, or else rebranded, and requiring a Facebook account, within a year.

BTW, as much as I dislike Facebook, I do use Instagram. I will continue to until they either require a Facebook account, or the advertising ratio goes above 50% - which it is dangerously close to right now.


Tried them...Parallel space and Dual space are on iPhone but are useless because they only mirror an existing account. It doesn’t let you create a whole new whatsapp account. Hard to explain but trust me I’ve tried.

Now we do use slack at work, problem is most ppl are stuck on whatsapp and it will virtually be impossible to move them off of it.
Lol I downloaded Signal...only 2 contacts in my phone (who I rarely talk too) have it...
 

GGJstudios

macrumors Westmere
May 16, 2008
44,556
950
Well whatsapp is a very popular chat app. For work I do group chats with my fellow employees. For personal I do group chats with family and friends. This is why I need 2 whatsapps on my dual sim iPhone. To get everyone to switch to a different messaging app will be impossible. Everyone I know uses whatsapp. Stupid cause aside from this I love the Apple phone

I may have to bite the bullet and go get a Samsung :(
[doublepost=1543815084][/doublepost]
Lol I’m not a developer and no way I could build a app. I have tried options like tutu and ostman, but they are unstable and don’t work half the time.
You can use the same WhatsApp installation for both personal and business use. You just have to choose which number you want associated with WhatsApp. You can have group chats with employees and other group chats with family/friends. You don't need two separate installations of WhatsApp to achieve this.

You might want to look into Slack. I think it may be more suitable for work purposes. Then you could continue to use Whatsapp outside of work.
In much of the world, using another chat app is not an option, since WhatsApp is the most popular chat app in the world. For example, in the 20 countries in Latin America, WhatsApp is the standard for both business and personal chat communication. Changing an entire country or culture is not feasible.
 

jtara

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2009
2,008
536
Changing an entire country or culture is not feasible.

In much of the world, using another chat app is not an option, since WhatsApp is the most popular chat app in the world. For example, in the 20 countries in Latin America, WhatsApp is the standard for both business and personal chat communication. Changing an entire country or culture is not feasible.

You don't need to get an entire country or culture to change.

You just need to get employees to download an app. An app that is required for their continued employment. How hard can that be? Use business tools for business!

Most annoying chat experience was working for the console gaming division of a multi-national corporation (did I spell "Sony" right?) and having to run AOL Messenger on my desk, to chat with people that were in the cubicles surrounding mine. It was both silly (IMO - better to walk 6 feet for my question...) and the wrong tool (a consumer tool that IMO was a security risk - we were all in the same room, sending our chats off to servers at AOL.)

But I did it, because it was the tool that was mandated.

It's just one more app. I don't get the resistance.

BTW, the only reason I installed Signal is I had a group chat with 2 friends in iMessage, but my friend in Germany switched from iPhone to Android, so could no longer (conveniently - he does have a Mac) use iMessage for the group chat. We switched to Signal. His first gut choice was Whatsapp, because "that's what they use in Germany". It was no trouble for anyone to install Signal.

With the infusion of cash earlier this year, you will see Signal use dramatically increase, IMO.

The voice calling is great, BTW. I would never use Skype again, if I can get people to use Signal. Haven't tried the video calling. Everything about it seems to Just Work.
 
Last edited:

GGJstudios

macrumors Westmere
May 16, 2008
44,556
950
You don't need to get an entire country or culture to change.

You just need to get employees to download an app. An app that is required for their continued employment. How hard can that be? Use business tools for business!
The OP said "fellow employees" so I'm guessing they can't mandate a change to another app.
 

jtara

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2009
2,008
536
The OP said "fellow employees" so I'm guessing they can't mandate a change to another app.

I was about to ask about that myself!

It's unclear if OP is in a position to set policy and select tools.

If you are, I would urge you to consider having everybody use Slack.

I assume OP doesn't want to give out personal phone number to co-workers, and wants to avoid embarrassing leakage like thinking he's chewing out meddling Aunt Sally in a family chat and it goes to everyone at work.

The concern is not unique to OP. Employers should consider these universal employee privacy concerns. Using a business-oriented app that is more suited to the purpose than consumer chat apps is a good way to avoid encroaching on employee privacy. It's much less likely you will open Slack, not notice that it doesn't look like iMessage, or Whatsapp, and post your Aunt Sally missive to all of your co-workers.
 

minhasbob

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2018
6
0
You can use the same WhatsApp installation for both personal and business use. You just have to choose which number you want associated with WhatsApp. You can have group chats with employees and other group chats with family/friends. You don't need two separate installations of WhatsApp to achieve this.


In much of the world, using another chat app is not an option, since WhatsApp is the most popular chat app in the world. For example, in the 20 countries in Latin America, WhatsApp is the standard for both business and personal chat communication. Changing an entire country or culture is not feasible.
Yes I’m aware that I can choose one of the phone numbers for whatsapp. That’s the problem. I want 2 whatsapps on one phone. Whatsapp will lock out the app if you switch back and forth on the app frequently
[doublepost=1543876263][/doublepost]
I was about to ask about that myself!

It's unclear if OP is in a position to set policy and select tools.

If you are, I would urge you to consider having everybody use Slack.

I assume OP doesn't want to give out personal phone number to co-workers, and wants to avoid embarrassing leakage like thinking he's chewing out meddling Aunt Sally in a family chat and it goes to everyone at work.

The concern is not unique to OP. Employers should consider these universal employee privacy concerns. Using a business-oriented app that is more suited to the purpose than consumer chat apps is a good way to avoid encroaching on employee privacy. It's much less likely you will open Slack, not notice that it doesn't look like iMessage, or Whatsapp, and post your Aunt Sally missive to all of your co-workers.
I would love it if my coworkers would switch to slack but they won’t. To try to get like 20 ppl to switch is impossible. Again why can’t Apple just do what Samsung does and let you clone the app for a separate account
 

pika2000

Suspended
Jun 22, 2007
5,587
4,903
Well whatsapp is a very popular chat app. For work I do group chats with my fellow employees. For personal I do group chats with family and friends. This is why I need 2 whatsapps on my dual sim iPhone. To get everyone to switch to a different messaging app will be impossible. Everyone I know uses whatsapp. Stupid cause aside from this I love the Apple phone

I may have to bite the bullet and go get a Samsung :(
[doublepost=1543815084][/doublepost]
Lol I’m not a developer and no way I could build a app. I have tried options like tutu and ostman, but they are unstable and don’t work half the time.
Currently, there's no way to have 2 Whatsapp accounts on iOS. You can moan and groan as much as you want, but that won't solve your problem.
My suggestion is to simply buy a cheap secondary iPhone/Android phone and go on with your life. Or you can petition whatsapp to port their Whatsapp for business app to iOS. On my Android phone, even if the phone doesn't support dual app functionalities, I at least can use Whatsapp for business and the regular Whatsapp.
 

minhasbob

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 2, 2018
6
0
Currently, there's no way to have 2 Whatsapp accounts on iOS. You can moan and groan as much as you want, but that won't solve your problem.
My suggestion is to simply buy a cheap secondary iPhone/Android phone and go on with your life. Or you can petition whatsapp to port their Whatsapp for business app to iOS. On my Android phone, even if the phone doesn't support dual app functionalities, I at least can use Whatsapp for business and the regular Whatsapp.
Lol yeah I guess the moaning and groaning won’t get me anywhere. I’ll msg whatsapp to see when whatsapp for business will be available for iOS although I think that Apple will be the ones deciding if they want to carry w for b.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.