Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

On a supported Samsung Galaxy, you can run a second WhatsApp account by turning on WhatsApp in Samsung’s Dual Messenger feature, then opening the new copy and registering it with a different phone number. Whether the option appears depends on your model and Android software version, so check that first.

Check whether your Galaxy supports Dual Messenger

Dual Messenger is not available on every Galaxy phone. Samsung’s Japan support article on the feature, updated 8 April 2025, says the menu and the list of supported apps vary by device and Android version. WhatsApp appears among the apps that article lists as supported, but that list is not a guarantee for your phone. (Samsung Dual Messenger overview)

  • Your phone must show Dual Messenger in its Advanced features menu.
  • WhatsApp must appear in that list. If it does not, your model or software does not offer the option for WhatsApp.
  • Samsung’s UK guidance on getting WhatsApp onto a Galaxy, updated 29 September 2025, describes installing it through Google Play and registering with your phone number. (Samsung UK WhatsApp installation guidance)

Set up the second WhatsApp

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Advanced features.
  3. Tap Dual Messenger. Labels can shift slightly with One UI and Android versions, so look for the Dual Messenger entry if the wording differs.
  4. Turn on the switch beside WhatsApp, accept the prompt, and wait for the second copy to install.
  5. Find the second WhatsApp icon. Samsung marks it with a Dual Messenger badge, which tells it apart from your original app.
  6. Open the second icon and register it with a phone number that is not already used by your first account.

Verify the second number

Enter the second number when WhatsApp asks for it, then complete verification with the six-digit code WhatsApp sends. Samsung’s installation guidance describes this same phone-number and six-digit code process for ordinary setup. Keep the second number reachable during registration, because the code is what activates the account.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Do you need a second SIM slot?

No. WhatsApp ties each account to its registered phone number, not to a particular SIM slot. A phone with a single physical SIM can host a second account if that second number is available through another route, such as an eSIM or a second line from your carrier. WhatsApp’s Help Center describes the number-based rule on its multiple phone numbers or accounts page. (WhatsApp Help Center: multiple phone numbers or accounts)

#1 Best Overall
SAMSUNG Galaxy A26 5G 2025 with AI | 256GB, 8GB, Dual SIM | 6.7" 120Hz AMOLED, IP67 Water Resistant, Android 15 | International Model Factory Unlocked for T-Mobile, Global | 25W Charger Bundle (Black)
  • International Model – Global Connectivity – Plug & Play with an Active SIM on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most U.S. carriers. New activations are only supported on T-Mobile in the U.S., as most carriers may not recognize International IMEI's as Compatible. (No U.S. manufacturer warranty; Seller Return policy applies.)
  • 256GB, 8GB RAM, microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot), Exynos 1280 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 GPU
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 8MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.2, 4K at 30fps
  • 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/20/26/28/38/40/41/66, 5G: N1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Dual SIM
  • The included 25W Fast Charger is a generic accessory and is not a Samsung-branded charger, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery, Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7

If WhatsApp is missing from Dual Messenger

  • Update the phone’s software. Support depends on Android version, so an outdated build may not show the option.
  • Check the model and region. Samsung’s support material says availability varies, and some regional pages carry their own variant notes.
  • Try WhatsApp’s own account feature. WhatsApp’s Help Center describes adding and switching between accounts inside the app, with a limit of two accounts. Menu placement can change between versions, so check the current app. (WhatsApp Help Center: switch accounts)
  • Avoid unofficial cloning tools. Third-party apps that copy WhatsApp are outside the official routes described here, and the sources do not support them as a safe substitute.

Compare the three routes

Route What it does What to check
Samsung Dual Messenger Installs a second copy of a supported messaging app on the phone. Whether WhatsApp is listed on your model and software; possible feature limits in the second copy; the second copy is removed when the original is uninstalled.
WhatsApp multiple accounts Adds a second account inside WhatsApp and lets you switch between them. Whether your current WhatsApp version shows the feature; the two-account limit; a separate number for the second account.
Samsung Secure Folder Hosts an app copy inside Samsung’s protected area. Availability on your device and region; whether you want the extra separation a locked area provides.

Every route needs a separate phone number for the second account. None of them requires a second SIM slot.

Secure Folder as an alternative

Samsung describes Secure Folder as a protected area for private content and apps, and it can hold a second app copy for a different account. Samsung’s Australian setup page, updated 10 August 2026, is written for Australian device variants, so readers elsewhere should confirm that the steps match their own phone. (Samsung Australia Secure Folder setup) Behaviour inside Secure Folder is not guaranteed to match the Dual Messenger copy across models, so test the account after setup.

Rank #2
Samsung Galaxy A16 4G Dual SIM (128GB, 2025) 6.7" 90Hz AMOLED, Splash Resistant 8Core, 50MP Camera (Factory Unlocked International Model for GSM, Global) A165M/DS (25W Fast Charger Bundle, Green)
  • Please note, this device does not support eSIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, Xfinity, AT&T, Total Wireless, or other CDMA carriers.
  • Vivid 6.7” Super AMOLED Display – Enjoy a stunning Full HD+ screen with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and 800 nits brightness for crystal-clear viewing, even in sunlight. 25W Charger Included. The included 25W Fast Charger is a generic accessory and is not a Samsung-branded charger.
  • Powerful Performance – The Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, 4GB RAM, and 128GB storage (expandable via microSDXC - uses shared SIM slot) ensure smooth multitasking and fast speeds.
  • Capture Every Moment in Detail – The 50MP triple-camera system (wide, ultrawide, macro) and 13MP front camera deliver high-quality photos and videos with HDR, panorama, and LED flash.
  • All-Day Battery & Fast Charging – A massive 5000mAh battery keeps you powered, and 25W fast charging gets you back to 100% in no time.

What the second copy can and cannot do

  • Features may be limited. Samsung warns that some features may not work in the second copy of an app.
  • Privacy is not settled by these sources. Dual Messenger separates app instances for account use. The Samsung and WhatsApp material reviewed here does not establish any change to WhatsApp’s privacy or encryption properties, so do not assume a Dual Messenger copy is more or less private than the original.
  • Each account keeps its own number. Two accounts still need two numbers. The second copy does not clone your first account’s registration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Remove the second copy without losing data

Samsung’s manual for the Galaxy S23 FE, published 17 April 2024, is specific to that model and its software version. It says that uninstalling the second copy deletes its related data, and that uninstalling the original app also removes the second copy. (Samsung Galaxy S23 FE user manual)

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Before removing either copy, read WhatsApp’s current backup instructions in the app. The Samsung manual does not say what backup outcome to expect, so do not rely on it to preserve chat history.

Rank #4
Samsung Galaxy A16 4G Dual SIM (128GB, 2025) 6.7" 90Hz AMOLED, Splash Resistant, 8Core, 50MP Camera (Factory Unlocked International Model for GSM, Global) A165M/DS (25W Fast Charger Bundle, Grey)
  • Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup, but is necessary record the IMEI). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also NOT compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc). Please contact the seller for more information about carrier compatibility.
  • Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
  • 4G LTE Bands: B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B13(700), B17(700), B26(850), B28(700), B66(AWS-3) Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
  • Capture Every Moment in Detail – The 50MP triple-camera system (wide, ultrawide, macro) and 13MP front camera deliver high-quality photos and videos with HDR, panorama, and LED flash.
  • All-Day Battery & Fast Charging – A massive 5000mAh battery keeps you powered, and 25W fast charging gets you back to 100% in no time.The included 25W Fast Charger is a generic accessory and is not a Samsung-branded charger.
Rank #3
SAMSUNG Galaxy A16 4G LTE (128GB + 4GB) International Model SM-A165F/DS Factory Unlocked 6.7" Dual Sim 50MP Dual Cam (Case Bundle) (Gray)
  • Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
  • Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
  • 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
  • Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
  • Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.