WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. If you have used WhatsApp for a long time, chances are you may have lost access to your old WhatsApp account due to a forgotten password, lost phone, changed phone number, etc.
Recovering an old WhatsApp account can be challenging, especially if you no longer have access to the phone number associated with the account. Normally, WhatsApp requires you to enter a verification code sent to your registered phone number in order to regain access to your account. However, there are a few methods you can try to recover your old WhatsApp account without needing a verification code.
Try logging in from the old phone/SIM card
If you still have access to the old phone or SIM card number that was associated with your lost WhatsApp account, you may be able to recover the account by simply inserting the old SIM card into a phone and logging into WhatsApp.
WhatsApp verifies your identity based on your phone number, so logging in with the SIM card number associated with the account can allow you to regain access in some cases. This method works best if you lost access relatively recently and your account has not already been reassigned to a new number.
Contact WhatsApp to unlink the old number
If you no longer have the old phone or SIM card, you can try contacting WhatsApp directly to ask them to unlink the old number from your account. WhatsApp provides an email address for account support issues:
Email WhatsApp support and explain your situation. Provide details like your old phone number, the date you registered your account, locations where the account was used, and any other identifying details. Ask them to unlink the old number so you can regain access to the account.
WhatsApp cannot provide the verification code to you directly, but they may be able to unlink the old number after verifying your identity, which would allow you to sign in again without the verification code.
Use WhatsApp on a desktop browser
WhatsApp is available not just on mobile devices, but also through desktop browser apps for Mac or PC. You can scan your QR code using the WhatsApp desktop browser app to link your account without needing immediate access to a verification code on your phone.
To use this method:
- Go to web.whatsapp.com on your desktop browser and click “WhatsApp Web” to open the QR scanner
- On your new phone, install the WhatsApp app and attempt to register using your old number. You will get an option for phone verification.
- On the verification screen, tap the option to get your 6-digit code via SMS instead of automated voice call.
- When prompted, immediately switch to your desktop browser and scan the QR code before the SMS verification code expires.
If done quickly, this process can link your account on the desktop before the SMS code expires, letting you message and use the account on desktop while buying more time to receive the SMS for mobile verification.
Use another phone number temporarily
If you have access to another phone number you can temporarily use, try registering your account on WhatsApp with the other number. Once your account is registered, immediately go to Settings > Account > Change Number and change to your old number.
This will prompt a verification notice to your old number, which you can use to receive the confirmation code and regain access. This method works if you still have access to the old number, even if it’s not active on a device.
Retrieve verification code via email
In some cases, WhatsApp may offer to send your verification code via email if you are unable to receive it by SMS. To take advantage of this option:
- Install WhatsApp and attempt to register your old number
- When prompted to verify via SMS, select the “I can’t get SMS” option
- On the next screen, select to receive the code by email instead
- Enter the email associated with your old WhatsApp account
This will send a 6-digit verification code to your email, which you can then enter in the app to verify your number and regain access.
Use SMS verification on a friend’s phone
If you cannot get the verification code on your own phone for some reason, you may be able to use a friend’s phone temporarily to receive the SMS code.
Install WhatsApp on your friend’s phone and enter your number when prompted. When asked for verification, select SMS and have them watch for the 6-digit code.
Once received, immediately enter the code on your own phone to verify your number before it expires. This bypasses any issues on your end that may be preventing you from receiving the SMS.
Contact your phone carrier
As a last resort, you can try contacting your phone carrier (the carrier for your old number) to ask them to send you the SMS verification message again from WhatsApp.
Explain that you need the SMS message resent because you cannot currently access your WhatsApp account without it. Depending on their policies, some carriers may be willing to resend the verification message from WhatsApp if you can adequately confirm your identity.
Third-party verification apps
There are some third-party apps that claim they can help retrieve your WhatsApp verification code. However, use extreme caution with apps like these as many are scams. Your best option is to use the official WhatsApp channels for account recovery.
Conclusion
Recovering an old WhatsApp account without your verification code can be challenging, but is possible in some cases. Your best options are to log in from the associated old phone/SIM, contact WhatsApp support to unlink the number, or use alternative verification methods like email or SMS on a friend’s device.
With some clever workarounds, you may be able to regain access and recover your valuable WhatsApp chat history. However, there is no guarantee as WhatsApp’s security relies on verification via the registered number. Use security best practices going forward like backing up your verification PIN to prevent losing access again.