Skip to Content

How can I see old WhatsApp messages on old numbers?

WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Many of us have changed phone numbers over the years but still want to access old WhatsApp chats and media from previous numbers. Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not provide an official way to transfer chat history between different phone numbers.

Why can’t I directly transfer WhatsApp chats between different numbers?

WhatsApp ties each account to a specific phone number. Your chat history and media are encrypted and stored locally on your device and also backed up to your Google Drive or iCloud if you have chat backup enabled.

So even if you link your new number to your existing WhatsApp account, you will not be able to access any chats from your old number. When you verify your account with a new number, WhatsApp creates a new account and starts with a clean slate.

How can I recover my old WhatsApp data?

Here are a few methods you can try to recover and access old WhatsApp messages from previous phone numbers:

Method 1: Transfer from Google Drive or iCloud backup

If you had chat backup enabled on your old number, your chat history should be stored in your Google Drive account (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone). Here are the steps to restore chats from backup:

  • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone.
  • Verify your new number when prompted.
  • On the ‘Restore chats’ screen, tap Restore to retrieve your chat history from the cloud backup.

This will load all your old chats on your new number. Note that the backup needs to be recent enough to contain the old chats you need.

Method 2: Transfer from local backup

WhatsApp also regularly saves a local backup of your chats on your phone’s storage. If you still have access to the old phone, you can transfer the local backup to your new phone:

  • On your old phone, copy the WhatsApp/Databases folder from internal storage to a computer.
  • On your new phone, install WhatsApp and verify your new number.
  • Replace the empty WhatsApp/Databases folder with the one from your old phone.
  • Open WhatsApp, tap Restore when prompted and it will load your local backup.

This will restore your old chats on the new phone. Do keep in mind that any media files will also need to be manually copied over.

Method 3: Use a third-party app

If the above methods don’t work, you can also use third-party apps to transfer WhatsApp data between numbers. Some popular options are:

  • Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer: Transfers WhatsApp messages, call logs, videos, photos, and attachments between different phones. Works across iOS and Android.
  • CopyTrans Contacts: Lets you selectively transfer WhatsApp chats and media from one phone to another. Available for Windows and Mac.
  • MobileTrans – WhatsApp Transfer: Transfers WhatsApp data between phones with different numbers and platforms. Supports iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

These apps provide an easy way to migrate your WhatsApp data to a new number while retaining your chat history. However, some of them are paid apps or offer limited free trials.

Tips to preserve your WhatsApp data

Here are some bonus tips to make sure you are always able to access your WhatsApp chats even if you change numbers:

  • Enable chat backups regularly to backup your WhatsApp data on Google Drive or iCloud.
  • Export important chats to your email or notes app to have a separate retrievable copy.
  • Frequently copy WhatsApp media files you want to keep to another folder on your phone or computer.
  • Note down important info like codes and passwords stored in old chats to retain access.
  • If changing phones, transfer the WhatsApp local backup or use a data transfer app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp chats from one number to another?

Yes, it is possible to transfer WhatsApp chats from an old number to a new number using methods like Google Drive or iCloud restore, local backup transfer, or third party apps. However, there is no direct way to port chats within WhatsApp.

Can I restore my chat history after changing my number?

If you had chat backup enabled, you can restore your chat history from Google Drive or iCloud after changing your WhatsApp number. You need to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, verify the new number, and restore chats from backup.

How do I backup my WhatsApp chats?

On Android, WhatsApp chats are automatically backed up to your Google Drive account daily if you are connected to WiFi. On iPhone, you can enable iCloud backup for WhatsApp chats in WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. You can also manually backup WhatsApp locally on your phone storage.

Can I transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone?

Yes, you can transfer WhatsApp chats from an Android phone to an iPhone using third-party apps like Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer. The free trial allows transferring chats between different operating systems.

Is my chat history deleted if I change my number?

Your WhatsApp chat history will not be automatically deleted if you change your number. However, the chat history will not transfer over to the new number either. You will need to use backup restore or third-party apps to transfer chats to your new number.

Conclusion

Changing phone numbers often means losing access to old WhatsApp chat history and media. Thankfully, there are several methods you can use to backup and restore your WhatsApp data when changing numbers. Enable regular cloud backups, use local backups, or try third-party apps for easy chat transfers between different phone numbers and platforms.