Losing your phone can be stressful, especially if you have sensitive information on apps like WhatsApp. If you’ve lost your device, it’s important to take steps to secure your WhatsApp account as soon as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate WhatsApp if you’ve lost your phone.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about deactivating WhatsApp if you lost your phone:
- You need to deactivate your WhatsApp account from a new device. You can’t deactivate it from the lost phone.
- Deactivating WhatsApp removes your account from the app but doesn’t delete your chats. Your chats will reappear if you reactivate your account.
- To deactivate WhatsApp, open WhatsApp on a new device, go to Settings > Account > Deactivate Account.
- You’ll need to enter your phone number to receive a confirmation code via SMS before deactivating.
- Once deactivated, your WhatsApp account will disappear from your contacts’ phones within a few hours.
Step 1: Install WhatsApp on a New Device
First, you’ll need to install WhatsApp on a new device. This can be a new phone you purchase, a friend’s phone, or even an old spare device you have lying around. WhatsApp is available for Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone.
Head to your device’s app store to download WhatsApp. On Android, go to the Google Play Store. For iPhone, go to the App Store. And for Windows Phone, use the Windows Store.
WhatsApp is free to download on all platforms. Once installed, open the app and agree to the Terms of Service.
Step 2: Verify Your Phone Number
Next, WhatsApp will ask you to verify your phone number. This connects your account to the new device.
Enter your phone number in full international format. For example, a US number would be +1XXXXXXXXXX. Tap the “Next” button.
WhatsApp will send a 6-digit verification code via SMS to your number. Enter this code when prompted to verify your device.
Step 3: Request Account Deactivation
Once your number is verified on the new device, you can now deactivate your WhatsApp account.
Go to Settings in WhatsApp and select Account > Deactivate Account. Read the confirmation prompt carefully.
Deactivating means you’ll no longer have access to your account on any device. Your contacts will see you disappear from their contact lists as well. However, your chat history will NOT be deleted.
Step 4: Enter Phone Number Again
To prevent unauthorized deactivations, WhatsApp will ask you to confirm your phone number again. Enter your full number and tap “Next.”
This sends a 6-digit deactivation code via SMS to your number. Enter the code when prompted.
Step 5: Wait for Account to Deactivate
Once you enter the deactivation code, your WhatsApp account is scheduled for deactivation. You’ll see a notice that the deactivation will take place within 24-28 hours.
Your contacts will see a “This user was deleted” message when they try to access your chat.
You will stop receiving messages and calls on WhatsApp within a day. On iPhone, your chat history will be deleted after 30 days.
How Long Does Deactivation Take?
WhatsApp schedules all deactivations to fully complete within 24-28 hours. Here is a more detailed timeline:
- Within 1 hour: You’ll disappear from all WhatsApp Groups you’re a part of
- Within 2 hours: Your last seen, profile photo, and status will no longer update
- Within 24 hours: You’ll disappear completely from all your contacts’ phones
- Within 28 hours: You can no longer reactivate your old account and chat history
So while the deactivation starts immediately, give it a full day or two for it to fully complete across WhatsApp’s servers worldwide.
Can I Reactivate My Account Later?
Yes, you can reactivate a deactivated WhatsApp account anytime within 28 hours of requesting deactivation.
Simply install WhatsApp again, enter your number, and request reactivation. Your chats and groups will reappear.
After 28 hours, reactivation is impossible. You’ll have to sign up for WhatsApp again from scratch using that number.
Will My Chats Be Deleted?
No, deactivating your WhatsApp account does NOT delete your chat history. Your entire chat history remains saved on WhatsApp’s servers.
If you reactivate within 28 hours, all your old chats will automatically restore. It will be like you never left!
However, after 28 hours, your chat history is deleted from WhatsApp’s servers and is unrecoverable.
Should I Delete My WhatsApp Before Selling My Phone?
| Action | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Deactivate account |
|
|
| Delete app |
|
|
| Full reset |
|
|
If you’re selling or giving away your phone, properly deactivating your WhatsApp account is the best approach.
Doing a simple app delete or phone reset isn’t enough. Your WhatsApp account will remain active and accessible to whoever gets that phone number next.
Can I Deactivate Without My Old Phone?
Normally, you need your old phone to receive the SMS deactivation code. However, there are a couple options if you’ve completely lost your device:
- SMS Forwarding: Forward texts from your old number to a new device before losing your phone.
- New SIM Card: Get your carrier to issue a new SIM with the same number.
- Text Verification: Use WhatsApp’s text verification setting to receive codes via voice call instead.
As long as you can get the 6-digit verification code somehow, you can deactivate without access to your old device.
What Happens When I Deactivate WhatsApp?
Here’s a full summary of what happens when you deactivate your WhatsApp account:
- You’ll disappear from all group and individual chats.
- Your profile will no longer be visible in your contacts’ address books.
- You can no longer send or receive WhatsApp messages and calls.
- Your chat history remains saved for 28 hours after deactivation.
- You can reactivate your account within 28 hours to restore chats.
- After 28 hours, your account and chat history will be permanently deleted.
In effect, deactivation puts your account on hold while removing it fully from the app. You have a 28 hour window to reactivate before WhatsApp deletes your data for good.
Should I Notify My Contacts?
It’s a good idea to let your contacts know you’re deactivating WhatsApp, especially if it’s your main communication channel with them.
Send them an SMS or email informing them you’ve lost your phone and will be deactivating WhatsApp as a precaution. Provide an alternate way to reach you.
Otherwise, your contacts may think you’ve deliberately cut off communication when your account disappears from their app.
How Do I Get My Chat History Back?
If you’ve exceeded the 28 hour reactivation window, your chat history is permanently deleted and can’t be retrieved. However, here are some ways to restore some chats:
- iCloud/Google Drive Backups: WhatsApp may have auto-backed up your chats to the cloud.
- Local Backups: Check old phones or computers for local WhatsApp backups.
- Email Chats: You can email entire WhatsApp chats to yourself.
- Ask Contacts: Request busy contacts to screenshot or forward important chats.
While you can’t get everything back, these methods may help you recover at least some irreplaceable conversations.
Can Someone Else Deactivate My WhatsApp?
No, only you can initiate deactivation of your WhatsApp account. This prevents abuse.
Even if someone inserts your old SIM card into a new phone, they can’t deactivate your account without access to your phone to receive the SMS code.
However, it is possible for someone else to take over your inactive number if they insert your old SIM into a new device. This person could then reactivate your WhatsApp on that device.
So don’t discard your old SIM carelessly. Keep it secure until your number is fully disconnected.
Is My Number Permanently Unusable After Deactivation?
No, phone numbers are eventually recycled after being inactive for a certain period of time. This varies by carrier, but is usually 90 days to 6 months.
Once your wireless provider detects inactivity, they’ll disconnect the number and may issue it to a new customer.
At that point, the new user can sign up for WhatsApp with your old number. However, they won’t have access to your chat history, which is deleted after deactivation.
Conclusion
Losing your phone doesn’t have to be a catastrophe if you act quickly to secure your accounts. Deactivating WhatsApp is the safest way to prevent access to your messages if your device falls into the wrong hands.
While the process takes nearly a full day to complete, deactivation buys you time to get a new phone set up before your chats are deleted. Just make sure to reactivate within 28 hours if you still want your chat history.
With your WhatsApp properly deactivated from your lost phone, you can breathe easier knowing your private conversations and groups are protected.