With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps. While it offers end-to-end encryption for chats, many users want to know if they can chat anonymously without revealing their phone number to their contacts. Here are some tips on how to hide your number when using WhatsApp.
Use a Virtual Phone Number
The easiest way to hide your real phone number on WhatsApp is by using a virtual phone number. Services like Burner, Hushed or TextPlus allow you to generate a temporary virtual phone number that can be used to verify your WhatsApp account. The number usually works just like your real phone number for calling, texting and using any app. When you’re done using it, you can simply discard the virtual number without affecting your real number.
Pros of Using a Virtual Number
- Lets you keep your real number private
- Virtual number can be deleted when no longer needed
- Works for verifying your WhatsApp account
- Allows anonymous chatting without revealing your identity
Cons of Using a Virtual Number
- Costs money to use (though some offer free trials)
- Temporary numbers may get blocked by WhatsApp
- May need to verify the virtual number again if you reinstall WhatsApp
Use WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business is a separate app made for businesses to engage customers. When you create a WhatsApp Business account, it generates a Business Phone Number that masks your personal number. You can give out this business number to chat with people anonymously on WhatsApp without revealing your real number.
Pros of Using WhatsApp Business
- Lets you keep personal and professional chats separate
- Dedicated business number masks your real number
- Business tools help manage conversations at scale
- Lets you chat anonymously without giving out your number
Cons of Using WhatsApp Business
- Doesn’t work well for personal use
- Features optimized for business accounts
- Requires a dedicated business number
- Limits some personal account features like statuses
Use WhatsApp on a Secondary Device
You can use WhatsApp on a secondary phone or tablet without inserting your SIM card. This lets you chat from a separate device using only your WiFi connection. Add your account on the secondary device by scanning the QR code from your main device to link them. You can then give out the secondary device number to chat anonymously without giving your real number.
Pros of Using Secondary Device
- Lets you chat privately without your real number
- Syncs chats from your main device
- No need for separate SIM card
- Allows anonymous chatting from a different device
Cons of Using Secondary Device
- Need access to a spare phone or tablet
- Devices must be on same WiFi network to sync
- Can’t make calls from linked devices
- Secondary device number could identify your main device
Disable Share Contacts Option
You can prevent your phone number from automatically being shared with new contacts on WhatsApp. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy and disable the “Share Contacts” option. This will stop your number from being revealed if any of your new contacts have your number saved in their phonebook.
Pros of Disabling Contact Sharing
- Prevents number being automatically shared with new contacts
- Lets you control who sees your number on WhatsApp
- More private if chatting with strangers or in large groups
- Optional manual number sharing when needed
Cons of Disabling Contact Sharing
- Have to manually share number with each new contact
- Can’t see names of contacts who have your number saved
- Less convenient for chatting with known contacts
- They won’t automatically see your profile photo and status
Use WhatsApp Web Anonymously
You can use WhatsApp Web to chat from your computer browser without revealing your phone number. Open web.whatsapp.com and scan the QR code with your phone to link accounts anonymously. Make sure to disable WhatsApp Web notification previews to hide message content. You can also enable Incognito mode on your browser for added privacy when chatting anonymously.
Pros of Using WhatsApp Web Anonymously
- Lets you chat privately without sharing number
- More convenient chatting from computer
- No need to install app on computer
- Incognito mode hides your activity
Cons of Using WhatsApp Web Anonymously
- Phone must stay connected while chatting
- Not as feature-rich as mobile app
- Can’t make calls from WhatsApp Web
- Incognito mode impacts other browser use
Conclusion
While WhatsApp doesn’t directly offer anonymous chatting, there are several clever workarounds you can use. Getting a virtual number, using a secondary device or WhatsApp Web anonymously lets you hide your real number when chatting. For added privacy, disable contact sharing and use Incognito mode. With these tips, you can anonymously chat on WhatsApp without revealing your personal phone number.