WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. When you sign up for WhatsApp, your account is linked to a phone number which allows you to connect with other users. But what happens if you get a new phone number and want to keep using your WhatsApp account? Is it possible to change the number linked to your WhatsApp account?
Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to change the phone number linked to your WhatsApp account. However, WhatsApp currently only allows you to change your number once every 120 days. Here is a quick rundown of how to change your WhatsApp number:
- Notify your contacts that you are changing your number.
- Back up your WhatsApp chat history.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Enter your new number when prompted during setup.
- Verify your number via a text or call.
This process will unlink your old number and link the new phone number to your WhatsApp account while transferring your chat history.
Notifying Contacts of New Number
The first step when changing your WhatsApp number is to notify your contacts and groups that you are switching to a new number. This ensures people can still reach you on WhatsApp when your number changes.
Here are some tips for notifying contacts:
- Change your WhatsApp profile name to include your new number.
- Send a broadcast message or email to inform contacts of your new number.
- Personally message close friends and family to give them a heads up.
- In groups you admin, message the group with your new number.
Giving advanced notice ensures your WhatsApp contacts can update your details in their phones before you change your number. This will minimize disruptions to your WhatsApp communications during the transition period.
Individual vs. Broadcast Notification
When notifying contacts about your new number, you have two options:
- Individual messages – Personally message each contact or group to inform them. This ensures the message is received but takes more time.
- Broadcast message – Send a broadcast message to all your contacts at once. Quicker but not guaranteed to be seen.
If you have a small WhatsApp contact list, individual messages may work best. For those with large contact lists, a broadcast message can quickly spread the word about your new number.
Backing Up Your Chat History
Before changing your WhatsApp number, it’s essential to back up your chat history. This saves all your conversations, media, and messages so they can be restored after you switch numbers.
Back Up to Google Drive
The easiest way to back up your chat history is to Google Drive:
- Open WhatsApp > Tap More options > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap Back up to Google Drive and select a backup frequency and Google account.
- Tap Back up over mobile data if you want backups to occur over cellular data.
- Tap Back up now to manually trigger an immediate backup.
With Google Drive backups enabled, your chat history will automatically save to the cloud regularly.
Local Android Backups
You can also backup WhatsApp chats to local storage on Android phones:
- Open WhatsApp > Tap More options > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap Back up to local storage.
- Tap Back up now to manually backup chats to local storage.
Local backups allow you to restore chats without an internet connection. But backups are only saved to the phone storage.
iCloud & iTunes for iPhone Backups
For iPhones, WhatsApp supports two backup options:
- iCloud – Toggle on iCloud Backup in WhatsApp settings to backup chats to iCloud automatically.
- iTunes – Connect iPhone to computer and backup locally to iTunes to save WhatsApp chats.
Ensuring regular backups via Google Drive, iCloud, or local storage will secure your WhatsApp chat history when you switch numbers.
Uninstalling and Reinstalling WhatsApp
Once your chat history is backed up, the next step is to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp:
- iPhone – Delete WhatsApp from the home screen. Then download it again from the App Store.
- Android – Go to Settings > Apps and select WhatsApp. Tap Uninstall. Then install it again from the Play Store.
Uninstalling deletes your WhatsApp account from the device so you can enter your new number when reinstalling the app.
Verifying Your Number
When you reinstall WhatsApp and attempt to log in, it will detect your phone number has changed. You will be prompted to enter your new phone number to verify your account.
WhatsApp provides two options to verify a number:
- Text message – WhatsApp sends a text with a 6-digit code to your new number.
- Phone call – Receive an automated WhatsApp call and enter the 6-digit code provided.
Once verified, your new phone number will be linked as the WhatsApp account number.
Restoring Chat History
After verifying your new number, WhatsApp should detect a previous chat history backup and provide an option to restore it.
Tap Restore to recover your messages, files, history and other data to WhatsApp with your new number. This completes the number change process.
Limits on Changing Your WhatsApp Number
While it is possible to change the number linked to your WhatsApp account, there are some limitations:
- You can only change numbers once every 120 days.
- Group memberships do not carry over to the new number.
- You may lose access to some chat history if latest backup is over 40 days old.
- It takes time for all your contacts to update your new number.
Due to these restrictions, it’s recommended only to change your WhatsApp number when essential. Many people who switch cell phone plans opt to port their existing phone number to the new carrier so they can keep their WhatsApp account unchanged.
Using Dual SIM Phones
For those who need to switch numbers but still access old WhatsApp chats, dual SIM phones provide an option. These phones have two SIM card slots, allowing you to use your old and new numbers simultaneously.
You can use your old number just for WhatsApp while your new phone number is set as the primary SIM. This avoids the need to change WhatsApp numbers when you get a new mobile number.
Transferring WhatsApp from One Phone to Another
Rather than changing the number linked to your WhatsApp, you may simply want to transfer WhatsApp from one device to a new phone. Here is how to move your WhatsApp account between phones:
iPhone to iPhone
- Back up iCloud and iTunes on old iPhone.
- Restore backup to new iPhone during setup process.
- WhatsApp account will transfer automatically.
Android to Android
- Backup chats via Google Drive or local storage.
- Install WhatsApp on new phone.
- Verify your number when prompted.
- Restore chat history from backup.
iPhone to Android
- Backup iPhone WhatsApp via iCloud.
- Email chat history backup file to yourself.
- Open backup email on Android and download attachment.
- Install WhatsApp and restore chats using backup file.
Android to iPhone
- Create Google Drive or local backup on Android.
- Install WhatsApp on iPhone.
- Log in using same phone number.
- Tap Restore Chat History.
- Scan QR code shown on iPhone using old Android phone.
- Tap Export on Android and select backup file to transfer.
Following the correct steps for your device transfer ensures you move your WhatsApp account and chat history to your new phone.
Getting a Virtual Phone Number for WhatsApp
Rather than linking your personal mobile number to WhatsApp, some people prefer using a virtual phone number. These provide an alternate WhatsApp number that forwards calls and messages to your real number.
Here are some reasons to use a virtual number for WhatsApp:
- Keep your personal mobile number private.
- Easily block unwanted contacts.
- Separate work and personal WhatsApp accounts.
- Flexibility to change the virtual number anytime.
A few popular virtual phone number providers include Google Voice, Hushed, and Sideline. Prices start around $1 per month for basic call and text forwarding.
Setting up a virtual phone number as your WhatsApp account gives you more privacy and control without having to change your actual SIM card number.
Closing Your WhatsApp Account
If you no longer wish to use WhatsApp on any number, follow these steps to close your account:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Account > Delete My Account.
- Enter your phone number and select Delete My Account.
- Confirm by tapping Delete My Account at bottom of page.
Closing your account will erase your WhatsApp chat history, groups, and remove your account from all WhatsApp devices. You can sign up again in the future with same number if desired.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp initially links to the mobile number you signed up with, there are ways to change, transfer or hide your WhatsApp phone number if needed. Notifying your contacts, backing up chats, reinstalling the app and restoring your history allows you to change the number linked to your account. Moving WhatsApp to a new phone also enables transferring your account and chat data between devices. For enhanced privacy, virtual phone numbers can provide an alternate WhatsApp number that forwards to your real mobile number. With the proper steps, you can modify the phone number tied to your WhatsApp account to meet your messaging needs.