WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, used by over 2 billion people. However, sometimes WhatsApp can ban accounts due to violations of their terms of service. Getting your account banned can be frustrating, but there are some steps you can take to try and solve the issue.
Why Was My Account Banned?
There are a few common reasons why WhatsApp may ban an account:
- Sending spam or abusive messages
- Violating their terms of service in some way
- Using unauthorized third party apps
- Having an account that was previously banned
If your account was banned, you likely received a message from WhatsApp explaining the reason. Understanding the cause can help you avoid the same issue in the future.
How to Check If Your Account is Banned
Here are the signs that your WhatsApp account may be banned:
- You are unable to send or receive messages
- Your contacts see a “This user is banned” message when trying to contact you
- You cannot verify your phone number again
- The app asks you to register your number again
Try logging out and back into your account. If you still cannot access your account, it has likely been banned.
How to Appeal a Ban
If you believe your account was banned by mistake, you can submit an appeal to WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Help.
- Tap “Email us” and send an email to [email protected].
- Explain clearly why you feel your account was banned incorrectly.
- Provide any information that can help verify your case.
- Wait for WhatsApp to review your appeal and get back to you. This can take several days.
However, keep in mind appeals are not always successful, especially if you clearly violated their terms. But it’s worth a try if you honestly did nothing wrong.
Register With a New Number
If your appeals are rejected and your account remains banned, your only option may be to register a new account with a different phone number.
Here is how to create a new WhatsApp account:
- Get a new SIM card and phone number.
- Install WhatsApp and enter your new number.
- Verify your number when you receive the SMS code.
- Build a new contacts list and communicate with people on this new account.
The disadvantage is you will lose your chat history and group conversations. But at least you will have an active WhatsApp account again. Avoid whatever behavior led to your initial ban.
Use a Different Phone
Another option is to install WhatsApp on a different mobile device and register your account with the same number. This essentially creates a new instance of your account.
To do this:
- Borrow a friend or family member’s phone.
- Install WhatsApp on that device.
- Enter your phone number and verify it.
- Once your account is verified, you should be able to use WhatsApp again.
The benefit here is you can keep your existing contacts and chat history. Just remember to avoid anything that could lead to another ban.
Wait Out the Ban
For lesser offenses, WhatsApp may impose a temporary ban for a few hours, days, or weeks. In this case, the best option is to simply wait out the duration of the ban.
- Do not try to circumvent the ban with a new account.
- Wait patiently and you should regain access once the term is over.
- Going forward, be sure not to repeat any behavior that led to the temporary ban.
WhatsApp should send you a notification once the suspension has lifted. At that point, you can start using your account normally again.
Conclusion
Getting your WhatsApp account banned can be inconvenient, but there are ways to resolve it. Appeal the ban if you believe it was a mistake, register with a new number, use a different device, or wait out a temporary suspension. The most important thing is to learn from the experience and be careful not to violate their policies again in the future. With some patience and care, you should be able to recover and continue using WhatsApp.
| Reason for Ban | Solution |
|---|---|
| Sending spam/abuse | Appeal, use new number |
| TOS violation | Appeal, wait it out |
| Unauthorized third party apps | Appeal, use different device |
| Temporary ban | Wait it out |
Key Points
- Understand why your account was banned in the first place.
- Try appealing the ban if you think it was a mistake.
- Get a new SIM card and number to register a new account.
- Use a different device to create a new instance of your account.
- If temporary, wait out the duration of the ban.
- Avoid repeating behaviors that led to your initial ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do WhatsApp bans last?
WhatsApp bans can last anywhere from a few hours up to permanent bans, depending on the severity of the violation. Temporary bans may last 24 hours, a week, or a month.
Can I use WhatsApp without a SIM card?
No, WhatsApp requires a registered mobile number and SIM card to create an account. It uses your phone number for verification, so a SIM card is mandatory.
Does deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp work?
If your device was banned, simply deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp will not work. Your account is banned at the server level, not just on your device. You need to register with a new number instead.
What happens if I get banned again?
If you get your account banned again after registering with a new number, WhatsApp may decide to issue a permanent ban. Repeated offenses will lead to your accounts getting permanently blocked even if you try to create new ones.
Can I get my chat history back after a ban?
Unfortunately, if your account is permanently banned, you also permanently lose access to your WhatsApp chat history and media. There is no way to recover them. However, if using a different device, you can restore your chats.
Preventing Bans in the Future
Here are some tips to avoid having your account banned again in the future:
- Carefully read WhatsApp’s terms of service and ensure you do not violate any policies.
- Never send bulk messages, spam, or abusive content on WhatsApp.
- Do not use any unauthorized third party mods or tools.
- If banned temporarily, wait out the full duration before resuming use.
- Use WhatsApp normally and ethically at all times.
Following WhatsApp’s rules and being a responsible user will help prevent any issues in the future. Having your account banned once can serve as a warning to improve your usage going forward.
Conclusion
Getting banned on WhatsApp can be disruptive but there are several methods you can use to regain access to your account. Appeal a ban if you think it was unfair, register with a new number, use a different device, or wait out a temporary ban. Learning what caused the ban and avoiding repeat offenses will help prevent future issues. With some strategic effort, you should be able to recover and continue using WhatsApp.