Sometimes you may want to change the phone number that is tied to your WhatsApp group for various reasons. Maybe you got a new phone number and want the group chat to reflect that. Or perhaps the current number attached to the group no longer belongs to someone in the group. Regardless of why, changing your WhatsApp group’s number is easy to do.
Requirements for Changing a WhatsApp Group Number
Before changing your WhatsApp group number, there are a couple requirements:
- You need to be the group admin in order to change the number.
- The new number must already have an active WhatsApp account.
As the group admin, you have the ability to alter the group’s settings and information. And for security purposes, WhatsApp requires that the phone number you want to switch to is already registered and confirmed on WhatsApp. As long as those two criteria are met, you can move forward with changing the group number.
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these steps to change your WhatsApp group number:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to the Chats tab.
- Tap on the group you want to modify the number for to open the chat.
- Tap on the group name at the top of the screen to open the group info.
- Scroll down and tap “Group info”.
- Tap on the phone number at the top under “Group Members”.
- Type in the new number you want to switch to and tap “OK”.
- Confirm the change when prompted.
It’s that straightforward to put a new phone number on your WhatsApp group chat! As the admin, you are prompted to confirm the change before it takes effect. This ensures accidental changes don’t happen. After confirming, all group members will see the new number tied to the chat.
Effects of Changing a WhatsApp Group Number
When you change your WhatsApp group number, here are some key effects:
- The group name and photo remain the same. Only the number changes.
- All previous messages and chat history stay intact.
- Group members don’t have to change anything on their end.
- You can no longer message or access the group via the old number.
So the group itself does not change besides having a new associated phone number. All members remain the same and all previous conversations stay in the chat history. The group ID also does not change. The only difference is members will now message and call via the new number when interacting in the group.
Important Notes About Changing a WhatsApp Group Number
Here are some important notes to keep in mind when you switch a WhatsApp group number:
- All group members will be notified of the number change when it happens.
- There can sometimes be a delay before the change fully propagates to all group participants.
- Messages sent to the old number after the change could be lost.
- The group creator cannot be changed along with the phone number.
Make sure to notify your group that you are planning to change the number ahead of time. This ensures they know why their group chat now shows a new number. It also alerts them not to message the old number, as those messages could be lost in the transition.
Give the change some time to fully register across all devices as well. Immediately after altering the number, some group members may not see the update right away. But it should sync up on all devices within a few hours.
As the group admin however, you will not be able to transfer your admin privileges to a new person when changing the number. The WhatsApp group creator remains in control.
Troubleshooting Issues
In some cases, you may run into issues when trying to change your WhatsApp group number:
- If you get an error that you don’t have permission, make sure you are the current group admin.
- If the new number is not valid, verify you entered the correct number linked to an active WhatsApp account.
- If the change is not showing for some group members, ask them to manually reload the chat.
- If members are messaging the outdated number, ask them to delete the thread and search for the new number.
Double check that you are the assigned group admin in your chat settings if the app says you don’t have permission. Verify the new phone number you entered is correct and active on WhatsApp. Have group members try manually refreshing the chat or deleting and re-adding the new number if issues.
What Happens if I Accidentally Change the Number?
No worries if you accidentally change your WhatsApp group number incorrectly. You have a couple options to revert back:
- Immediately tap “Exit Group” and then rejoin with the old number. This will revert the change.
- Change the number again back to the old, original number.
As soon as you notice the mistake, tap “Exit Group”. This will remove you from the chat. You can then search for and rejoin the group using the original number you want tied to it.
If too much time has passed to exit, simply repeat the number change process. But instead switch it back to the old number you want associated with the chat.
Alternative Options Besides Changing the Number
If you decide you don’t necessarily want to change your WhatsApp group number, here are a couple alternative options:
- Create a new group and add people again – This gives you a fresh start.
- Ask a member to create a new group and add you – This transfers admin rights.
- Leave the old group as is and make a new one – You can manage both groups.
Making an entirely new group and adding members again gives you a blank slate. You can recreate the group from scratch. Another option is having an existing member create a new group, then adding you to transfer admin privileges.
Or you can simply leave the current group as is, and make a new group using the number you want. This way you can manage two separate groups simultaneously if needed.
Should I delete the old WhatsApp group if I change the number?
No, you do not have to delete the old WhatsApp group if you change the number. The group will automatically become inactive if you change the number tied to it.
There is no harm in keeping the old group chat in your message history, even though it will no longer be functional. That way you still have access to all the previous messages, files, and memories that were shared in the group over time.
Can I change the WhatsApp group number without informing group members?
It is not recommended to change a WhatsApp group number without notifying members in advance. Here’s why:
- Members may try messaging the old number and wonder why you are not responding.
- They may think the group was deleted and will lose access to the chat.
- It can cause confusion if they notice the number change without understanding why.
To avoid problems, always message the group chat first that you need to update the number tied to it. Explain your reasons and give them the heads up of the change before making it.
Does changing the WhatsApp group number delete chat history?
No, changing the phone number of a WhatsApp group does not delete or erase the message history. The entire chat, including all previous messages, photos, videos, and files sent, will remain intact after changing the number.
Only the phone number associated with the group name will update. Everything else, including the former conversations, will remain saved in the group. So you don’t have to worry about losing any historical data.
Conclusion
Changing your WhatsApp group number to a new phone number is straightforward for group admins to do. Make sure to notify members before changing it to avoid confusion. The process only takes a few taps, and does not disrupt the group atmosphere or erase any prior chat history.
It’s a handy option if you ever need to update your WhatsApp group number to a different one. And if you make a mistake, you can simply exit the group and rejoin, or change the number again, to revert back to the original.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab |
| 2 | Tap on the group you want to modify |
| 3 | Tap the group name and select Group Info |
| 4 | Tap on the phone number at the top |
| 5 | Enter the new number and tap OK |
| 6 | Confirm the change when prompted |