Changing your phone number on WhatsApp without notifying your contacts is possible, but there are some important factors to consider. In this article, we’ll go over whether it’s possible to change your WhatsApp number silently, the pros and cons of doing so, and step-by-step instructions on how to change your number without notifying contacts if you decide to do it.
Is it possible to change WhatsApp number without notifying contacts?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to change your WhatsApp number without having the app automatically notify all of your contacts. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind:
- Your old number will still show up in group chats you’re a part of. Your name will appear with your new number, but the old number is still visible.
- If you have WhatsApp Business and change your number without notifying contacts, your business profile will no longer be verified with the green checkmark.
- While your individual conversations will not be notified, anyone who has your old number saved in their phone’s contacts will still see your profile update to the new number.
- There is no native WhatsApp feature to silently change numbers. You’ll need to use a workaround through changing SIM cards.
In summary, while it is possible to change your number without WhatsApp blasting a notification to all of your chats, aspects of your old number will still be visible and linked to your account. The app does not provide a way to seamlessly switch numbers behind the scenes like some other messaging apps do.
Pros and cons of changing WhatsApp number without notifying contacts
Here are some potential pros and cons to weigh when considering if you want to change your WhatsApp number quietly:
Pros
- Avoid spam and unwanted messages. If your old number gets circulated to lots of strangers, changing it stealthily means they won’t have your new number.
- Give your new number a fresh start. You’ll essentially get a clean slate where your contacts need to reach out for your new number.
- Gradually notify people. You can choose who to give your new number to rather than a mass notification.
- Less disruptive. Not having a public announcement makes the transition less jarring for your important contacts.
Cons
- Contacts may think you blocked them. Friends may take your sudden disappearance personally if they don’t know you changed numbers.
- You may lose contact with some people. Without notifying your whole network, you run the risk of people losing touch.
- It’s disruptive for group chats. Even if you re-join groups under your new number, it’s confusing for members.
- Business profile won’t be verified. Changing numbers quietly will remove the verified checkmark if you use WhatsApp Business.
Overall, the decision depends on your specific circumstances. If you want to start fresh and only keep in touch with your closest contacts, changing numbers quietly may work well. But if you want to avoid disrupted communications, especially in group chats, notifying all of your contacts may be better.
Step-by-step guide to change WhatsApp number without notifying contacts
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decide you want to change your WhatsApp number without notification, here is a step-by-step guide to making it happen:
Step 1. Get a new SIM card
First, you need to obtain a new SIM card with a new phone number. You can get one from your wireless carrier by purchasing a new plan, upgrading your device, or porting your number to a new carrier. Be sure to get the nano-SIM if your phone uses that size.
Step 2. Install WhatsApp on your phone with the new SIM
Once you have your new SIM card, insert it into your phone. You may need to restart your device. When your phone connects to the network, open the Play Store or App Store and download WhatsApp if you don’t already have it installed. WhatsApp will automatically detect your new number.
Step 3. Verify your number with WhatsApp
Upon opening WhatsApp with your new number, you’ll be prompted to verify your phone number. This sends an SMS with a 6-digit code to input. Verifying associates your account with your new number.
Step 4. Create a backup of your old WhatsApp chat history
To preserve your existing WhatsApp data, you’ll want to create a local backup from your old SIM card and number before you deactivate it. Here’s how:
- Insert old SIM card into your phone
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup
- Tap “Back Up” to create a new backup of your messages and media to local storage
Step 5. Insert your old SIM card to deactivate WhatsApp
After backing up your old number’s WhatsApp data, put your old SIM card back into your phone. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Delete my account. This will erase your account data from WhatsApp’s servers.
Step 6. Insert new SIM and restore WhatsApp backup
Finally, insert your new SIM with your new number. Open WhatsApp, verify your number again, and then go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Tap “Restore” to load your old WhatsApp data onto your new number’s account.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully changed your WhatsApp number without having it automatically notify your contacts. Just keep in mind your old number will still appear in group chats until you remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing WhatsApp number notify all contacts?
Typically yes, changing your number through WhatsApp’s built-in process will send a notification to all of your contacts informing them of your new number. However, using the SIM card switch workaround allows you to update your number more discreetly.
Can I hide my old WhatsApp number?
No, there is no way to completely hide your old WhatsApp number. It will remain visible in any group chats you’re still a member of. The only way to remove it is to have an admin delete your old number from the group.
Will my chat history transfer to my new number?
Yes, you can transfer your existing WhatsApp chat history and media files to your new number by creating a local backup of your old number, then restoring that backup on your new number. Just follow the steps outlined above.
Can I transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone?
Yes, it is possible to transfer your WhatsApp data from an Android device to an iPhone if you are changing device platforms. Use the “Move to iOS” app on Android to create a transfer file, then load it during WhatsApp setup on iPhone.
Will my contacts still see my profile photo and status updates?
If your contacts have your old number saved in their phone’s address book, they will see your profile photo, status, and “last seen” information update to your new number. To avoid this, you’d need to delete your profile and start fresh.
Can I tell certain contacts about my number change?
Yes, you can selectively inform contacts about your new WhatsApp number. Just be sure they know not to post it publicly in any group chats you’re in or share it with others without your permission.
What happens to my WhatsApp Business account if I change numbers?
Your WhatsApp Business profile will lose its verified badge if you change numbers without going through the official notification process. To avoid this, you can notify your contacts to retain verification or go through verification again.
Will my groups get notified if I rejoin with new number?
When you join a WhatsApp group with your new number, the other members will see that you’ve joined. However, they won’t receive an automatic notification that you changed your number unless you tell them.
Can I use the same WhatsApp account on two phones?
Officially, you can only use one WhatsApp account per phone number. However, there are unofficial workarounds to use your account on two phones using tools like WhatsApp Plus or GB WhatsApp.
Conclusion
Changing your WhatsApp number without notifying all of your contacts takes a bit more effort than the standard process, but it is possible. The key steps are getting a new SIM card, verifying your new number with WhatsApp, backing up your old number’s chat history, deactivating your old number, and then restoring your chat history on your new number.
While you can pull off a “silent” number change, aspects of your old number will still be visible in group chats and your contacts’ address books. Evaluate the pros and cons carefully to decide if this stealthy approach makes sense for your situation. With some extra work, you can shift your WhatsApp presence to a new number without a mass announcement.