WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. One of the security features of WhatsApp is the ability to verify your phone number when you register your account. This verification process helps ensure that your account is secure and prevents others from registering your number without your permission. But how often can you actually verify your WhatsApp account in a single day if needed? Let’s take a closer look.
Verification Limit
WhatsApp currently limits users to verifying an account on the same phone number 5 times within a 24 hour period. This limit is designed to prevent abuse and fraudulent verifications. If you attempt to verify your number a 6th time in a 24 hour window, you will receive an error message stating “Too many verification attempts. Please try again after 24 hours.”
So in summary, the limit is 5 successful verification attempts per phone number per day on WhatsApp.
Why the Limit Exists
This 5 verification attempt daily limit serves a few important purposes for WhatsApp:
- Prevents spam and abuse – Limits the ability for someone to repeatedly verify accounts to send spam messages or abuse the platform.
- Reduces fraud – Helps prevent fraudsters from repeatedly verifying numbers to create fake or scam accounts.
- Protects user security – Limits the ability for an unauthorized person to repeatedly guess verification codes and gain access to your account.
Overall, this limit helps improve security and trust in the WhatsApp ecosystem. Most users will never need to verify their account 5 times in one day, so the limit provides protection without negatively impacting normal usage.
When You Might Need to Verify Multiple Times
There are some circumstances where you may legitimately need to verify your WhatsApp account multiple times in the same day. Some examples include:
- Getting a new phone number – If you get a new SIM card and transfer your account to a new phone number, you will need to re-verify.
- Reinstalling WhatsApp – If you uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, you’ll have to verify again even on the same number.
- Using multiple devices – Verifying WhatsApp on a new linked device such as a tablet requires additional verification.
- Errors in the verification process – Sometimes errors occur and you need to re-verify if it didn’t complete properly the first time.
In these cases, the 5 verification limit provides some flexibility to deal with legitimate verification needs without compromising security. But if you exceed the limit, you’ll have to wait 24 hours before verifying that number again on WhatsApp.
Tips for Avoiding Hitting the Limit
Here are some tips to avoid hitting the 5 verification limit on WhatsApp when you have multiple legit verification needs in one day:
- Carefully enter the verification code – Typos can lead to failed verifications that still count towards the limit.
- Make sure your wifi/data connection is strong – A weak connection can cause errors and failed verifications.
- Restart your device – Restarting your phone may help if you are receiving verification errors.
- Use SMS/text verification – This avoids issues receiving calls for call-based verification.
- Spread out your verifications – If possible, spread out your verification tasks over multiple days.
- Contact WhatsApp – If you hit the limit, you can contact WhatsApp support to report any errors.
Following these tips should help minimize the chances of bumping up against the 5 verification limit unexpectedly when you have multiple legitimate verification needs in one day.
What Happens if You Reach the Limit
If you attempt to verify your WhatsApp account a 6th time within a 24 hour period, here is what will happen:
- Error message – You will receive an on-screen error message alerting you that you have reached the verification limit for the day.
- 24 hour block – You will be blocked from verifying that phone number on WhatsApp for the next 24 hours.
- Partial functionality – You will still be able to use WhatsApp with limited functionality during the block.
- Full access after 24 hours – After 24 hours have passed, you will be able to verify and regain full access to your WhatsApp account.
So in summary, you will be temporarily blocked from verification for 24 hours but will not lose access to your account. You just need to wait out the 24 hour period before you can successfully verify again on WhatsApp.
Ways to Verify Your WhatsApp Account
There are two main methods WhatsApp provides to verify your account during initial registration or when re-verifying your number:
- SMS/Text Verification – WhatsApp will send you a 6-digit verification code via SMS text message that you must enter in the app to verify your number.
- Call Verification – WhatsApp will place an automated voice call to your number, and you must confirm a 6-digit code verbally to verify.
Both verification methods have a 5 attempt daily limit per number. WhatsApp selects one of these methods automatically based on what they determine is the most reliable option, but sometimes you can switch between SMS or call verification in the app settings.
Important WhatsApp Verification Facts
Here are some other important facts to know about WhatsApp verification:
- Verification codes expire after 10 minutes if unused.
- Codes are randomly generated 6-digit numbers.
- You should never share verification codes with others.
- Codes are specific to the device requesting verification.
- Back up your chat history before re-verifying to avoid data loss.
Always be sure to carefully complete the WhatsApp verification process when required to maintain security and access to your account. Contact WhatsApp support if you encounter any issues with verification.
Verification When Switching Phones
When you switch to a new phone and transfer your WhatsApp account, you will need to re-verify your number on the new device:
- Install WhatsApp on your new phone.
- Enter your existing phone number when prompted.
- WhatsApp will send a verification code to your number.
- Enter the verification code in the app to verify your device.
- Your chat history will transfer after successful verification.
This counts as 1 verification attempt out of the 5 allowed per day. Make sure to back up your chat history so you don’t lose your conversations when moving between devices.
Verifying a WhatsApp Business Account
Business accounts on WhatsApp also adhere to the 5 verification limit per day. To verify a WhatsApp Business account:
- Download WhatsApp Business and enter your business phone number.
- Agree to the Terms of Service.
- Enter the verification code sent via SMS or automated call.
- Follow the on-screen steps to create your business profile.
The business verification process counts towards the 5 limit daily limit if verifying multiple accounts. Manage your business verifications carefully to avoid disruptions.
Can You Bypass the Verification Limit?
There is no official way provided by WhatsApp to bypass or raise the 5 verification attempt limit in one day. Even if you contact WhatsApp support, they will not be able to allow more than 5 verifications in 24 hours due to security policies.
Attempting to bypass the limit through unauthorized modifications of the app or exploiting vulnerabilities is strictly prohibited under WhatsApp’s Terms of Service and can lead to your account being banned. You will simply have to wait 24 hours to verify that number again if you reach the limit.
How WhatsApp Detects Automated Verifications
WhatsApp has measures in place to detect and prevent automated verifications coming from bots or unauthorized third-party apps. These include:
- Usage patterns – WhatsApp analyzes how the app is being used to detect anomalous behavior.
- Device binding – Verifications are tied to specific devices to detect unusual device switching.
- Security keys – Each verification generates security keys that are analyzed for patterns.
- Number blocking – Numbers engaging in suspicious verification may be blocked.
These measures allow WhatsApp to block most attempts to automatically verify accounts in bulk. Do not try to circumvent these mechanisms, as your account may be banned.
Verifying WhatsApp Web/Desktop
When linking WhatsApp Web/Desktop using QR code scanning, your phone will automatically verify the pairing request without using one of the 5 daily verification attempts. However, if accessing WhatsApp Web/Desktop without your phone, you will need to verify via SMS or call on the computer which counts towards the limit.
Managing Verifications for Multiple Accounts
If you need to manage multiple WhatsApp accounts for personal and business use, make sure to carefully track verification attempts across accounts. Use all 5 verifications on one number before switching to another account to maximize ability to verify accounts without hitting limits and waiting 24 hours.
Lost/Stolen Phone Verification Issues
If your phone is lost or stolen, recovering your WhatsApp account can be tricky due to the 5 verification limit. Work with WhatsApp support to recover your account without burning through verification attempts before getting locked out. In some cases, you may need to wait 24 hours before regaining access after losing your device.
Is WhatsApp Verification Secure?
Yes, WhatsApp’s verification process is designed to add an extra layer of security:
- End-to-end encryption prevents interception of codes.
- Randomly generated codes prevent prediction.
- Requiring the latest code prevents reuse.
- Limits on attempts increase difficulty of brute forcing.
Combined with two-step verification and other security features, WhatsApp’s verification system helps keep accounts secure while maintaining user convenience.
Verifying Without a SIM Card
It is not possible to verify a WhatsApp account without a valid SIM card number. WhatsApp requires a working phone number to send the verification code via SMS or automated call. Using a SIM card is necessary for the verification process to associate your account with your mobile device.
Troubleshooting Verification Problems
If you are having trouble verifying your WhatsApp account, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Check for typos when entering the verification code.
- Try switching between SMS and automated call verification.
- Restart your device and try verifying again.
- Check your internet connection and cellular signal.
- Verify your SIM card is active and has available balance.
- Check if you’ve reached the 5 verification limit for the day.
- Contact WhatsApp support if issues persist.
With some diligence, you should be able to successfully complete the verification process and access your WhatsApp account.
Verification When Creating New WhatsApp Account
When creating a brand new WhatsApp account on a device, you will need to verify your phone number to complete the registration process:
- Enter your phone number on the WhatsApp registration screen.
- Agree to the Terms of Service.
- Confirm your country code and phone number.
- Enter the verification code sent via SMS or call.
- Set a profile name to complete account setup.
This counts as 1 verification attempt. You can verify up to 5 new accounts on different numbers per device within 24 hours.
Using Two-Step Verification for Extra Security
For extra security, enable two-step verification in WhatsApp’s app settings. This requires entering a custom 6-digit PIN in addition to phone number verification when:
- Registering your phone number for the first time.
- Adding an existing account on a new device.
- Wanting to re-verify your phone number later.
The PIN prevents unauthorized verifications even if someone has your phone number. Combined with number verification, two-step verification gives your WhatsApp account enhanced protection.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp limits users to 5 successful verifications per phone number per 24 hour period as a security measure. This limit applies when verifying during initial registration, when re-verifying your account, switching devices, and other verification scenarios. If you exceed the 5 limit, you will be temporarily blocked from verifying that number again on WhatsApp for 24 hours. Carefully track your verification attempts across devices to avoid hitting the limit. WhatsApp’s verification system adds an extra layer of security while still providing a reasonable amount of flexibility for legitimate verification needs.