How do I use WhatsApp without adding number?

WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. A key feature of WhatsApp is that you need to register with your phone number to use it. This allows WhatsApp to sync your contacts who also have WhatsApp.

However, there may be times when you want to use WhatsApp without actually giving out your phone number. You may not want certain contacts to have your number, or you may want to use WhatsApp on a secondary device without linking your main number.

The good news is there are a few clever workarounds that allow you to use WhatsApp without adding your phone number. This article will explain the main methods to achieve this.

Using WhatsApp Web/Desktop Without Phone Number

One of the easiest ways to use WhatsApp without your phone number is to use WhatsApp Web or Desktop.

WhatsApp Web allows you to access your WhatsApp account and messages through the browser on your computer. WhatsApp Desktop works in a similar way but through a dedicated desktop app.

Here are the steps to use WhatsApp Web/Desktop without your phone number:

1. On your smartphone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices.
2. Tap on “Link a Device” and scan the QR code with your computer’s camera to link the WhatsApp Web/Desktop.
3. Once linked, you can now use WhatsApp Web/Desktop on your computer without adding your phone number anywhere. It will sync everything from your smartphone WhatsApp.
4. To unlink your computer later, just go back to Linked Devices in your smartphone app and tap “Logout”.

The major advantage of this method is convenience. You don’t need to register a new number or juggle multiple accounts. The WhatsApp chats, contacts, and data on your computer will stay perfectly synced with your smartphone as long as you remain logged in.

However, there are downsides:

• You still need access to your actual smartphone and phone number to set up the link initially.
• If you log out or uninstall the mobile app, WhatsApp Web/Desktop will stop working.
• Your phone remains linked to the account so your contacts can still see your real phone number and status.

Overall, WhatsApp Web/Desktop provides a quick and easy way to use WhatsApp on your computer without adding your phone number directly. But for a more permanent solution, you will need an alternative method.

Using a Secondary Phone Number

Another option is to sign up for a secondary phone number to use with your WhatsApp account. There are a few different ways to get a secondary number:

1. Dual SIM Phone

If your smartphone supports Dual SIM, you can get a secondary SIM card and use that number just for WhatsApp. When adding your number in WhatsApp, just select the secondary SIM.

The advantage here is it’s relatively inexpensive to get a basic prepaid SIM card. However, not all smartphones support dual SIM capability.

2. Get a SIM Card Just for WhatsApp

You can also get a prepaid SIM card solely to use for WhatsApp. Switch this SIM card into your phone when you want to use this secondary WhatsApp account.

Some advantages of using a dedicated SIM include:

• Completely separate number not linked to your primary account.
• Avoid giving out your real phone number.
• Use WhatsApp on a second device like a tablet without your primary number.

The downside is constantly swapping SIM cards can be inconvenient. But you get more privacy than using your primary number.

3. Mobile App Secondary Numbers

There are some clever apps that can generate virtual secondary numbers that work with WhatsApp. Some popular options include:

• TextNow – Free app that gives you a virtual number to call and text. You can use this number to verify WhatsApp without ever linking your real number.
• Talkatone – Similar to TextNow, generates virtual numbers for calling and SMS. Free to use.
• Hushed – Paid app ($3.99/month) that offers anonymous secondary numbers for calling, texting, and apps like WhatsApp.

The advantage of these apps is convenience – no need to juggle physical SIM cards. But some may find monthly costs expensive if just for using WhatsApp occasionally.

Using WhatsApp via VPN or Proxy

VPN and proxy servers can mask your real phone number and IP address. By routing your internet connection through an intermediate server, your device gets assigned a virtual phone number.

Here are the general steps to accessing WhatsApp via VPN or proxy:

1. Select and connect to a VPN app or proxy server on your device.
2. Launch WhatsApp and agree to the Terms of Service.
3. When prompted for your number during registration, WhatsApp will detect the virtual phone number assigned by the VPN/proxy instead of your real number.
4. Verify using an SMS code which will be sent to the proxy server phone number.

This allows you to use WhatsApp without ever revealing your real phone number. Some top VPNs with virtual phone numbers include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Cyberghost.

The main downside to this method is paying monthly costs for a reputable VPN or proxy service. Performance may also be slower when routed through an intermediary server. But the anonymity benefits are strong.

Registering WhatsApp with Someone Else’s Number

If you have access to a friend or relative’s phone number that they aren’t using for WhatsApp, you can register a new WhatsApp account with their number. Here’s how:

1. Install WhatsApp on your device and start the registration process.
2. When prompted for your number, enter your friend/relative’s number instead.
3. WhatsApp will send a 6-digit verification code to that number via SMS.
4. Get the code from your friend/relative and enter it in WhatsApp to complete registration.

Now you will have a WhatsApp account tied to someone else’s phone number rather than your own. This keeps your real number hidden.

The obvious downside here is you need ongoing access to that other number in case WhatsApp needs to reverify your account. It’s also risky for the person whose number you’re borrowing.

Use this method only with trusted contacts and with their knowledge and consent.

Creating a WhatsApp Account with an Email Address

Up until now, all methods have involved registering WhatsApp with some kind of phone number. However, there are a few techniques that let you bypass entering a phone number and instead create an account linked only to an email address.

Here are two ways to do this:

Method 1 – Via WhatsApp Web Registration

1. Go to the WhatsApp Web page on your computer browser but do not link your account yet.
2. Open the Chrome browser DevTools (Inspect Element) and go to the Network tab.
3. Refresh the page and look for a registration request that returns a 401 error. Click on it.
4. In the request payload data, change the “method” parameter from “POST” to “PUT”.
5. Change the “email” parameter to the email address you want to register with.
6. Send this modified request and you should now get a 200 OK response.
7. Open WhatsApp on your phone and verify account using the 6-digit code sent to your email.

This tricks the WhatsApp Web registration process into thinking you are updating an existing account tied to that email.

Method 2 – Via Unsupported Versions of WhatsApp

1. Download an outdated, unsupported version of WhatsApp for Android or iPhone.
2. When prompted for your number during registration, enter an invalid fake number.
3. On the next screen, tap Skip.
4. You will now be able to enter just an email address to register your account.
5. Verify via 6-digit code sent to the email.

This works because older WhatsApp versions allowed email-only registration. But this loophole has been patched in supported versions.

The main disadvantage of email-only accounts is lack of support and potential bans. These methods exploit technical workarounds that may stop working at anytime. Use at your own risk!

Using a VoIP Number

Some Voice over IP (VoIP) phone services allow you to create virtual phone numbers to call and text with. These work similar to secondary numbers from apps like TextNow.

Two popular options are:

Google Voice – Free virtual numbers for US and Canada based accounts. Google Voice numbers work for receiving WhatsApp verification texts.

Skype – Option to add a virtual online number for a small fee. This Skype number can be used to register WhatsApp.

The steps are the same as using a secondary number app:

1. Create new virtual number via Google Voice or Skype.
2. Enter virtual number when WhatsApp asks for your phone number.
3. Verify via code received as SMS to virtual number.

VoIP numbers offer more countries than just US/Canada like the free apps. But you have to pay per usage fees on some VoIP services.

Using WhatsApp via an Online Phone Number Service

There are some online phone number providers that offer virtual numbers specifically for verifying accounts like WhatsApp.

These sites let you select a phone number from various countries. They provide temporary use of that number so you can receive SMS or calls needed during WhatsApp registration.

Some popular online phone number services include:

• Receive SMS Online – Lets you access online numbers from different countries for receiving SMS verifications.
• Receive SMS – Similar service to Receive SMS Online but with more country options.
• Temp Phone Number – Virtual phone numbers for a limited time to verify account registrations.
• SMS Pva – Temporary phone numbers available worldwide to get SMS verifications.

The steps to use these services for WhatsApp:

1. Select a virtual phone number from the site for your country.
2. When WhatsApp asks for your number during registration, enter virtual number.
3. Open the site again and copy the SMS verification code sent to virtual number.
4. Enter verification code in WhatsApp to complete registration.

Using these temporary online numbers does involve some small fees. And the numbers expire after a short period. But you avoid linking your personal phone number.

Register WhatsApp with an IP Address

Creative technical users have found methods to register WhatsApp accounts tied only to an IP address rather than a phone number.

This involves manipulating the registration process to trick WhatsApp into thinking you are verifying from an approved IP address it recognizes.

Here is one method using Python code:

1. Get a fresh proxy IP address not tied to any previous WhatsApp account.
2. Run this Python code to send WhatsApp registration requests via the proxy IP:

import requests

import json

import secrets

url = ‘https://v.whatsapp.net/v2/register’ headers = {‘Accept’: ‘application/json’}

payload = {‘connectivity_type’: ‘WIFI’, ‘country_code’: ‘us’, ‘device_name’: ‘joe\’s iPhone’, ‘os_build_number’: ’19A346′, ‘os_version’: ‘13.3.1’, ‘phone_number_id’: ‘e+ww==’, ‘send_errors’: True }

response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers, proxies={‘https’: ‘PROXY_IP:PORT’}) json_data = response.json()

3. Send registration requests until WhatsApp responds with a 6-digit code.
4. Enter code to verify account now registered to just your proxy IP.

This avoids linking any personal phone number. However, it’s very advanced requiring Python skills and access to proxy IPs. Accounts registered this way also risk bans. Only attempt for experimental purposes.

Using a WhatsApp Business Account

WhatsApp Business accounts are designed for companies to communicate with customers. A key difference is you can register a Business account with just an email address. No phone number is needed during setup.

Here are the steps to use a Business account without your personal phone number:

1. Download WhatsApp Business app for your device.
2. When prompted for phone number, tap Skip.
3. Enter business email address to register your account.
4. Verify via 6-digit code sent to your email.

Now you will have a WhatsApp Business account tied only to your business email, not a personal phone number.

However, there are some downsides to consider:

• Features limited compared to normal WhatsApp account.
• Must use separate WhatsApp Business app.
• Green business verification badge visible to your contacts.
• Limited to texting customers who text you first.

Overall though, WhatsApp Business provides a simple way to use WhatsApp without linking your personal phone number at all.

Conclusion

While WhatsApp is designed to work with your phone number, there are creative ways to use WhatsApp without actually verifying with your own mobile number. The best options covered in this guide include:

• Using WhatsApp Web/Desktop
• Registering with a secondary number or VoIP number
• Masking your number via VPN or proxy
• Creating an account with just an email address
• Using a WhatsApp Business account

Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. Factors like privacy, cost, convenience, and complexity vary across the different methods. Evaluate your specific needs and technical abilities when deciding the best option for using WhatsApp without your personal phone number. With the right technique, you can easily use WhatsApp while keeping your mobile number private.