WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its convenience and versatility make it a preferred way to stay in touch for many people. However, what happens if you want to keep using WhatsApp but no longer have an active phone number?
The short answer
Unfortunately, you cannot use WhatsApp if your phone number is deactivated. WhatsApp requires an active phone number to verify your account and send/receive messages. Without mobile service connected to your number, WhatsApp will not work.
Why WhatsApp requires an active number
WhatsApp is designed to provide secure, real-time messaging capabilities globally. To enable this, WhatsApp has the following requirements for using their service:
- An active mobile phone number is needed during initial sign-up and verification. This confirms you have a valid number and SIM card.
- The app uses your phone number as your unique ID on WhatsApp. All your contacts, groups, and messages are tied to your number as the account identifier.
- An active cellular or mobile data connection is required for sending/receiving messages over the internet. The app cannot message without active service.
- Your phone periodically pings WhatsApp servers to maintain an active connection for prompt message delivery.
For these reasons, deactivating mobile service effectively cuts off WhatsApp functionality. Without an active number verification, network connectivity, and real-time pinging, the app cannot provide its messaging capabilities.
What happens when you deactivate your number
When you deactivate your phone number, either by canceling your mobile plan or temporarily pausing service, here is what happens to your WhatsApp account:
- You will immediately stop receiving new WhatsApp messages once service is deactivated.
- For up to 45 days after deactivation, your existing WhatsApp account remains active. You can still open the app and view your full message history during this time.
- You cannot send any new messages, since there is no mobile service enabling your device to connect to the internet.
- After 45 days, your inactive WhatsApp account is deleted. All message history and account info tied to your number is permanently erased.
- If you reactivate your number within 45 days, your WhatsApp is restored with your message history intact. However, your account must be reverified with the number.
- If you reactivate your number after 45 days, your WhatsApp is gone. You’ll need to sign up for a new account and start fresh.
In essence, deactivating your SIM card pauses your WhatsApp account with limited functionality for up to 45 days. Once deleted after that period, there is no way to retrieve your prior WhatsApp activity tied to your deactivated number.
Workarounds
While using WhatsApp without an active phone number is not possible, there are some potential workarounds to consider:
Use WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web provides browser-based access to your WhatsApp account on a desktop computer. As long as you have an internet connection, you can use WhatsApp Web without mobile service active. However, your mobile device still must have the app installed and will need occasional connectivity to sync messages.
Forward calls
Some providers offer call forwarding or text forwarding from your deactivated number. By forwarding to an active number, you can receive SMS messages containing WhatsApp verification codes to register your account. However, overall functionality will be limited without mobile internet.
Use WhatsApp on WiFi only
If you have a smartphone with just mobile data deactivated, but WiFi connectivity still active, you can use WhatsApp over WiFi calling and messaging. Of course, this means you’ll only have WhatsApp active when connected to a wireless internet network.
Change your number
If the above options don’t suit your needs, changing your phone number to an active line would allow you to use WhatsApp normally again. You can try porting your number to a new carrier or simply sign up for WhatsApp with a different number if necessary.
Can you use WhatsApp with a landline number?
Unlike mobile numbers, WhatsApp does not allow using landline phone numbers for accounts. Because the app is designed for mobile messaging, only cellular number verification is permitted during signup. There are several reasons why landlines cannot be used:
- Text messaging is not supported on landlines, which WhatsApp relies on for verification and receiving codes.
- The constant data connectivity WhatsApp requires is only available on mobile networks, not traditional landlines.
- Landlines are tied to a location, while WhatsApp aims to provide messaging capabilities on-the-go.
- WhatsApp’s calling features utilize VoIP technology, which landlines do not support.
Without mobile SMS and always-on internet, WhatsApp functions would be limited even if landline usage was enabled. Mobile numbers are a fundamental requirement for WhatsApp given its technical design.
Can you use WhatsApp with a VOIP number?
VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) numbers provide call and text capabilities over the internet. In some cases, these internet-based numbers can be used to verify WhatsApp:
- Some VOIP services provide real mobile phone numbers that can receive SMS for verification. As long as texts can be received, these numbers may work.
- Virtual numbers that only allow app-based calling/messaging cannot activate WhatsApp, since they cannot complete SMS verification.
- Services that offer combined virtual numbers and SMS may enable WhatsApp verification.
The key criteria is whether the VOIP number service supports SMS messaging for confirmation codes. If so, there is a possibility it could be used for WhatsApp. However, overall functionality may be limited compared to a regular mobile number and data connection.
Can you use WhatsApp with a Google Voice number?
Google Voice provides virtual phone numbers that forward calls to your mobile or landline numbers. Unfortunately, Google Voice numbers cannot be used to activate WhatsApp for the following reasons:
- Google Voice numbers do not support SMS/text messaging, which WhatsApp requires for verification.
- The numbers are VOIP-based and tied to internet connectivity.
- Google Voice is designed to forward to existing numbers rather than provide standalone mobile service.
Without native SMS capabilities, there is no way to complete verification with just a Google Voice number. It may be possible to link a Google Voice number to a regular mobile number that has WhatsApp registered. But on its own, a Google Voice number cannot activate WhatsApp.
Can you use WhatsApp with a tablet or WiFi-only device?
Modern tablets and other devices that have mobile apps but no cellular connectivity often cannot use WhatsApp. Without mobile phone service for SMS verification and regular internet access, WhatsApp has limited utility.
It is possible to use WhatsApp Web on these devices when connected to WiFi. Pairing to an existing WhatsApp account on your smartphone provides access only while the phone is actively connected. But without mobile service, there is no way to create or verify a WhatsApp account on a WiFi-only tablet or device.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp requires an active mobile phone number for necessary account verification and messaging capabilities. Deactivating mobile service essentially disables your WhatsApp account until you reactivate your number or switch to a new active number. While there are some limited workarounds, real WhatsApp functionality will be restricted without mobile network connectivity enabling your device.
As a smartphone messaging app, WhatsApp is designed for modern internet-connected mobile numbers. Alternative options like landlines, virtual numbers, and WiFi-only devices have compatibility issues that prevent full WhatsApp access without a proper mobile number. So for the foreseeable future, an active cellular number remains a prerequisite for using the popular communication platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get verification codes without an active number?
No, without an active mobile network connection, there is no way to receive the SMS verification codes required to register and activate your WhatsApp account.
Can I use WhatsApp on WiFi with a deactivated number?
You can access your existing WhatsApp account on WiFi without mobile data. However, you cannot verify a new account or reactivate a deactivated number unless mobile service is restored.
Can I forward texts/calls from my deactivated number to use WhatsApp?
Possibly, if your carrier offers forwarding from your inactive number to an active number. This would enable receiving verification codes indirectly at your active forwarded number.
Do internet-based phone lines work with WhatsApp?
Some internet-based numbers with SMS capabilities may be able to activate WhatsApp. But functionality may be limited compared to a traditional mobile number with cellular service.
How long until my WhatsApp account is deleted after deactivating my number?
You’ll have 45 days to reactivate your number before your WhatsApp account is permanently deleted along with your entire message history.
What to do if you need to change or reactivate your number
If you need to change your phone number or reactivate service after a deactivation, here are some tips for maintaining your WhatsApp account:
- To change numbers, update your number in WhatsApp’s Change Number setting and verify the new number.
- If your number was deactivated, reactivate service with your carrier first before accessing WhatsApp.
- When reactivating the same number, request your account data from WhatsApp to avoid losing your chat history.
- Make sure to back up your WhatsApp account data to Google Drive or iCloud before making any changes.
- If your account was deleted after 45 days, you’ll need to sign up for WhatsApp again with your new or reactivated number.
With proper planning, you can maintain your WhatsApp messaging when transitioning between mobile numbers. But losing your chat history is a risk if your account is deactivated for too long before reestablishing service.
The bottom line
WhatsApp is designed as an internet-based smartphone messaging app, making an active mobile number a key requirement. While limited workarounds exist, there is no full-functionality WhatsApp access without mobile phone service for account verification and regular data connectivity.
If you need reliable WhatsApp access, using it with an inactive number is typically not feasible. The best options are reactivating your current number or changing to a new active mobile number to continue using the convenient messaging platform.