Quick Answer
No, the WhatsApp app itself does not provide users with a phone number. WhatsApp requires users to sign up with an existing phone number and verifies this number using an SMS or voice call. Once verified, WhatsApp uses your phone number as your unique identifier on the platform. However, you need to already have a phone number to use WhatsApp – the app does not issue new numbers to users.
What is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a hugely popular instant messaging application owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). It launched in 2009 and was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $19 billion. As of 2022, WhatsApp has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide.
WhatsApp allows users to send private messages, group messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents and user location. It uses an internet data connection on smartphones to send messages and make calls. A key feature of WhatsApp is that it identifies users by their phone number – each account is verified by a phone number.
This means you need an active phone number to sign up for and use WhatsApp. But WhatsApp itself does not provide or issue phone numbers to users.
Do you need a phone number for WhatsApp?
Yes, you need a phone number to use WhatsApp. When you sign up for a WhatsApp account, you are prompted to enter your phone number. This number is then verified by an SMS or automated voice call containing a verification code.
Once verified, your phone number becomes your unique identifier on WhatsApp. All your contacts who also use WhatsApp will have you listed by this number. Your profile, messages, groups and all other data will be tied to this phone number.
So without a phone number, you cannot use WhatsApp. The app requires a number both for signup and continued usage.
Why does WhatsApp need your phone number?
WhatsApp uses your phone number for the following reasons:
- Unique identifier: Your phone number is unique to your account and allows WhatsApp to authenticate your identity.
- Contacts: WhatsApp syncs your phone contacts who also use WhatsApp so you can easily message them.
- Verification: Your number is used to verify your identity via SMS/call during signup and when changing devices.
- Notifications: WhatsApp can send notifications by SMS if you opt-in for this.
- Calls: WhatsApp allows voice calls through an internet connection linked to your number.
- Security: Your phone number helps secure the account and prevent abuse.
So in summary, a phone number is mandatory for WhatsApp to link your social connections, securely identify you, verify your account, send notifications and enable calls.
Does WhatsApp provide you with a phone number?
No, WhatsApp itself does not issue phone numbers to users. It is not a phone provider. You need to already have an active phone number before signing up for WhatsApp.
Some key points:
- You cannot create a WhatsApp account without a phone number you already control.
- WhatsApp will not issue a new number or SIM card to use their service.
- You need to get a phone number separately from a mobile carrier before using WhatsApp.
- Virtual phone numbers often don’t work for WhatsApp verification.
- There is no way to use WhatsApp without linking it to your existing number.
So in summary, WhatsApp acts as an secondary messaging app linked to your phone number rather than a provider of phone numbers itself. You cannot get a phone number just by signing up for WhatsApp – it must be supplied by you during signup.
Signing up for WhatsApp without a phone number
Since a phone number is required, there is no way to sign up for WhatsApp without one. But there are some options if you don’t have a phone number yet:
1. Get a regular phone plan
The simplest option is to get a cellular plan from a mobile carrier that provides you with a phone number. You can then use this number to verify your WhatsApp account. Postpaid plans (billed monthly) or prepaid plans allow phone numbers.
2. Use WiFi calling
Some apps like TextNow allow you to make WiFi calls and provide a virtual phone number. This phone number may work for receiving verification texts/calls during WhatsApp signup.
3. Borrow a number temporarily
You can borrow a phone number from a friend or family member temporarily to signup for WhatsApp. Be sure they provide consent to use their number before borrowing.
4. Purchase a prepaid SIM card
You can purchase a prepaid SIM card with some prepaid credit from a mobile carrier. This provides you with a phone number to use for WhatsApp verification.
5. Use a VoIP service number
Some VoIP services like Skype allow you to purchase a virtual phone number you can use for WhatsApp verification. However, WhatsApp may block numbers it detects are VoIP.
So in summary, while WhatsApp itself does not provide a phone number, you have options to get a number specifically to create a WhatsApp account if you do not already have a regular phone number.
Using WhatsApp on multiple devices
Traditionally, your WhatsApp account could only be used on one smartphone at a time linked to your phone number. But WhatsApp now provides options to use your account on multiple devices:
Link up to 4 devices
You can link up to 4 additional devices such as laptops or tablets to your main WhatsApp account on your smartphone. Each companion device needs to scan a QR code during setup.
WhatsApp Web/Desktop app
You can use WhatsApp Web on your laptop browser or the desktop app on your PC. This mirrors chats from your smartphone but still requires the phone app to be active and connected.
Use WhatsApp on 2 phones
With dual SIM phones, you can use your WhatsApp account on both SIMs. Just make sure to set the second SIM as the primary number after verification.
So with companion devices and dual SIMs, you can now use your WhatsApp account on more than just one phone. But all usage still requires your main phone number for verification.
Changing your phone number on WhatsApp
If you want to change the phone number linked to your WhatsApp account, follow these steps:
On Android:
- Open WhatsApp > Tap More options > Settings > Account > Change number
- Enter your old number and tap Next
- Enter your new number and tap Next
- Verify your new number via SMS/call
On iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp > Tap Settings > Account > Change Number
- Enter your old number and tap Next
- Enter your new number and tap Next
- Verify your new number via SMS/call
Key things to remember when changing your WhatsApp number:
- Inform your WhatsApp contacts about your new number
- Your chat history will be deleted if not backed up
- You may lose access to some group chats
- Your account may be temporarily banned if changing number too fast
So in summary, while cumbersome, you can change the phone number linked to your WhatsApp account through the app’s change number feature.
Using WhatsApp without a SIM card
As WhatsApp requires a phone number for sign up and use, it needs access to a SIM card to verify your account. However, there are some limited ways to use WhatsApp without a SIM card in the phone:
On WiFi only tablets
You can install WhatsApp on tablets that only have WiFi connectivity. Use your existing phone number linked to your smartphone for verification.
With a WiFi calling app
If you have a tablet or phone with just WiFi, install a WiFi calling app like TextNow to get a virtual number. Use this for verification.
With phone number verification workaround
There are techniques to receive SMS verification codes on another device which you can manually enter into WhatsApp on the WiFi only tablet to verify your number.
Using WhatsApp Web
You can use WhatsApp Web on your laptop or PC browser without a SIM card, as long as you have an active WhatsApp account on your smartphone.
With multiple devices linked
Once your account is verified on your main smartphone, you can link up and use WhatsApp on up to 4 additional devices without SIM cards.
So in summary, while challenging, there are some options to use WhatsApp on WiFi-only devices by linking to an existing verified smartphone account and using workarounds. But a SIM card is required at some point for initial verification.
Conclusion
– WhatsApp requires a phone number to create an account and does not provide numbers to users directly.
– You need to sign up with a number you already have from your phone carrier. WhatsApp cannot be used without supplying a phone number.
– Alternatives like WiFi calling apps, buying a new SIM card, or borrowing a number allow you to create a WhatsApp account if you don’t have a current phone number.
– Once verified, your WhatsApp account can be used across multiple devices through linking or WhatsApp Web without a SIM card in every device. But a SIM and phone number are necessary initially.
So in summary, while WhatsApp needs you to have a phone number, it does not directly provide any numbers to users. You need to bring your own existing number to the platform to get started and verified.