Switching your WhatsApp account from one phone number to another is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. Here are the steps to change your WhatsApp account to a new number:
Requirements for Switching WhatsApp Accounts
Before starting the process, make sure you have the following:
- The old phone number currently associated with your WhatsApp account
- Access to the phone with the old number and the WhatsApp app
- The new phone number you want to switch to
- Access to the phone with the new number and the WhatsApp app
You cannot switch WhatsApp accounts between operating systems. For example, you cannot transfer your account from an iPhone to an Android device. Both phones need to be running the same operating system.
Back Up Your WhatsApp Chat History
To transfer your chat history, media, and settings from the old account to the new one, you’ll need to back up your WhatsApp data first:
- On the phone with your current WhatsApp account, open WhatsApp and tap the More options icon (3 dots in top right)
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Back up
- Tap Back up to Google Drive or iCloud depending on your phone OS
- Wait for the backup to complete. This can take a few minutes depending on the size of your message history.
This will create a recent backup of your WhatsApp data linked to your Google or Apple account. As long as you use the same account on your new phone, the backup will transfer automatically.
Remove WhatsApp from the Old Phone
Once your chat history is backed up, you can uninstall WhatsApp from the phone with the old number:
- On the old phone, open WhatsApp and tap More options > Settings
- Tap Account > Delete my account
- Tap Delete account and confirm
This will delete your WhatsApp account from the device so it can be transferred to the new phone.
Install WhatsApp on the New Phone
Now it’s time to install WhatsApp on the phone with your new number:
- Download and install WhatsApp from the app store on the new phone
- Open WhatsApp and agree to the Terms of Service
- Enter your new phone number when prompted
- Verify the number via SMS or voice call
At this point, your new phone number will be associated with your WhatsApp account.
Restore Your Chat History
Finally, restore your chat history backup to access all your old WhatsApp messages:
- On the new phone, open WhatsApp and tap More options > Settings
- Tap Chats > Chat history > Restore
- Select the backup associated with your Google or iCloud account
- Tap Restore to confirm and wait for the restoration process to complete
Once finished, you’ll have your complete WhatsApp chat history moved over to the new account. You can now start using WhatsApp with your new phone number.
Notify Contacts About Your New Number
Although your chat history is transferred, your WhatsApp contacts won’t automatically know your account has changed to a new number. To avoid confusion:
- Update your profile name and photo on the new account
- Let your WhatsApp contacts know you have a new number
- Ask contacts to update your number in their phone address books
This will ensure your friends and family continue messaging you without interruption.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Account Switches
If you encounter issues transferring your WhatsApp account to a new number, here are some troubleshooting tips:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Can’t install WhatsApp on new phone | Make sure you uninstalled WhatsApp from your old device first. WhatsApp won’t allow install on the new phone unless the account is deleted from the old one. |
| Chat history won’t restore | Double check your internet connection. Restoration requires a stable internet connection. Try restoring again. |
| Backup size too large | WhatsApp has a backup size limit. If your chat history exceeds this, not all messages may transfer over. Consider deleting large files before backup. |
| Missing media files | Media such as photos and videos may not always transfer properly. Re-send any missing media files to contacts. |
Getting Help With WhatsApp Account Changes
If you continue having issues switching WhatsApp to a new number, here are some options for help:
- Contact WhatsApp support – WhatsApp has a web-based help center with FAQs and the ability to submit a support ticket
- Ask a friend for help – Someone tech-savvy may be able to troubleshoot the backup and restoration process
- Perform a factory reset – As a last resort, reset both phones to factory defaults and try the account transfer process again
Conclusion
Changing your WhatsApp number is a straightforward process as long as you carefully follow WhatsApp’s backup and restore procedures. The most important steps are:
- Back up chats on the old phone before uninstalling WhatsApp
- Delete your WhatsApp account from the old device
- Install WhatsApp on the new phone and enter your new number
- Restore the chat history backup from your Google or iCloud account
This will smoothly transfer your WhatsApp account to the new phone number while retaining your entire message history. Just be sure to notify your contacts about the change so they can continue messaging you as usual.
Changing phone numbers shouldn’t mean starting your WhatsApp conversations from scratch. Follow the guide above and you’ll be chatting on your new WhatsApp account in no time.
Here are some additional tips for changing your WhatsApp number:
Notify important contacts individually
While broadcasting the change is helpful, take the time to notify your most important WhatsApp contacts individually. This extra step prevents you from losing touch if they don’t see the broadcast message.
Update your profile details
Don’t forget to update your profile photo, name, and About section in the new WhatsApp account. This helps avoid confusion for your contacts after the switch.
Export important chats
Consider exporting key conversations to your phone storage or email before the switch. While you should be able to transfer everything seamlessly, exports provide an extra safeguard for your most important chat history.
Clear old messages and files
Take the account change as a chance to clear out old or unnecessary WhatsApp messages and media files before you transfer and backup the account. This can speed up the switch.
Update WhatsApp Business
If you use WhatsApp Business, remember to update your business profile with your new number as well. This ensures customers can continue contacting you.
WhatsApp Account Switch FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about changing WhatsApp accounts:
Can I transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Android?
Unfortunately no. WhatsApp accounts and chat history can only be transferred between devices using the same operating system (iOS to iOS or Android to Android).
Does WhatsApp notify my contacts automatically?
No, WhatsApp does not notify your contacts. You will have to inform everyone yourself that you have a new number.
Can I merge two WhatsApp accounts?
No, it is not possible to merge two existing WhatsApp accounts. You can only transfer one account to a new number.
Will my group memberships transfer over?
Yes, when you move your WhatsApp account to a new number, your participation in all groups will remain intact.
Can I transfer WhatsApp without my chat history?
Yes, you can switch WhatsApp numbers without transferring your chat history. Simply skip the backup and restore steps.
Will my media files transfer over?
Photos, videos, and other media files will transfer over in the backup process. However, some files may not properly transfer in rare cases.
Can I transfer WhatsApp to a new phone?
You can move your WhatsApp account to a new phone in the process of changing numbers. Just be sure the new phone has the same OS.
WhatsApp Account Security Tips
When changing your WhatsApp number, it’s a great time to also optimize the security of your account. Here are some tips:
- Turn on two-step verification for account logging and added protection.
- Change your privacy settings to control who can see your profile photo, status, etc.
- Set a strong password for your WhatsApp account to prevent unauthorized logins.
- Enable encryption to keep your chats and calls private.
- Limit Who Can Add You to Groups to prevent spam group invites.
Keeping your WhatsApp account secure should be a priority whether you switch numbers or not. Take advantage of WhatsApp’s built-in privacy controls.
Warnings About WhatsApp Account Switches
While changing your WhatsApp number is straightforward, here are a few warnings to keep in mind:
- Your chat history should transfer, but may not transfer fully in rare cases.
- Media files may not always make it across during backup and restore.
- If you don’t backup properly, your chat history could be lost.
- Without notifying your contacts, some may not recognize your new number.
- If your old number is recycled, the new user could access your old WhatsApp account.
As long as you follow WhatsApp’s official process and notify contacts, your switch should go smoothly. But it’s important to be prepared for potential complications just in case.
Closing Thoughts on Switching WhatsApp Accounts
While juggling two phone numbers can be a headache, transferring your WhatsApp account to a new number is straightforward enough. The key steps are:
- Back up your account fully before uninstalling from the old device.
- Install WhatsApp with your new number and verify it.
- Restore your chat history and media files from backup.
- Notify all of your contacts about the change.
Following this process correctly allows you to keep your entire message history intact during the switch to a new phone number. Just be cautious, take it slow, and don’t hesitate to contact WhatsApp support if you need assistance completing the account change.