Resetting a WhatsApp account means clearing all the data associated with your account and logging out of WhatsApp. This erases your messages, media, settings and other data from the app. Your account remains intact, but it will be like using WhatsApp for the first time again. Resetting is different from deleting your account, which removes your account from WhatsApp entirely.
When to reset your WhatsApp account
Here are some common reasons to reset your WhatsApp account:
- You’re getting a new phone and want to wipe WhatsApp data from your old device.
- You want to delete all WhatsApp data before selling or giving away your phone.
- You suspect your account has been compromised and want to log out all devices.
- You’re having issues with the app crashing, freezing or other glitches.
- You want to clear old chats, media and messages.
Resetting can help resolve data and performance issues. It also lets you clear your digital footprint and start fresh if desired.
How to reset your WhatsApp account
Here is a step-by-step guide to resetting your WhatsApp account on iPhone and Android:
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Chats > Clear All Chats.
- Confirm clearing all messages by tapping Clear All Chats again.
- Go back to Settings and tap Account > Log Out.
- Log back into your account with your phone number.
On Android
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Chats > Clear All Chats.
- Confirm clearing messages.
- Go back to Settings and tap Account > Log Out.
- Log back into WhatsApp with your phone number.
And that’s it! WhatsApp will be reset with no chats, messages, groups or media. Your account remains, just wiped clean. You can log back in and start fresh.
What happens when you reset WhatsApp
Here is what happens when you reset your WhatsApp account:
- You are logged out of WhatsApp on all devices.
- All your messages and chat history is erased.
- Your media files like photos, videos and voice messages are deleted.
- You are removed from all WhatsApp groups.
- Your contacts list is cleared.
- Your settings and preferences are reset to default.
- Your chat backups are deleted.
- Your account remains active and linked to your phone number.
So in essence, your entire WhatsApp presence is wiped clean. It’s like you’re starting fresh and signing up for the first time. Your contacts will not have your chat history anymore either.
What data is kept after resetting WhatsApp
Some account data will remain even after a reset, including:
- Your phone number and account
- Your profile name
- Your profile photo
- Blocked contacts and their current blocking status
So your core account identity remains, but chats, media, settings etc. all get removed. Your blocked contacts also stay blocked after the reset.
Does resetting WhatsApp delete account?
No, resetting WhatsApp does not delete your account. It simply wipes the app data clean. Your account remains active and linked to your phone number. You can log back in after a reset using the same phone number.
To actually delete your WhatsApp account, you need to go to Settings > Account > Delete My Account. This permanently erases your account and removes your WhatsApp presence entirely.
Can you recover reset WhatsApp account?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recover data after resetting your WhatsApp account. Since resetting erases all your messages, media files, settings etc., that data is permanently deleted.
However, if you had previously backed up your WhatsApp chats to iCloud or Google Drive, you may be able to restore some data from the last backup:
- iPhone: Uninstall WhatsApp > Reinstall > Login > Tap Restore when prompted > Select backup to restore
- Android: WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Restore > Select backup date
But any chats or media after the last backup date will be lost when resetting your account.
Does resetting WhatsApp notify contacts?
No, your contacts will not be notified if you reset your WhatsApp account. You simply disappear from their chats and contact list silently.
However, your contacts may realize something is up if:
- They try to search for your old chats and messages with you, which are now gone.
- They notice you disappeared from any mutual WhatsApp groups.
- You re-add them as a new contact later.
But WhatsApp does not directly notify others when you reset your account. Your contacts have to figure it out on their own based on your disappeared chats and messages.
Does resetting WhatsApp change your number?
No, resetting WhatsApp does not affect your actual mobile number. Your phone number stays the same. WhatsApp just wipes all the account data associated with that number.
You log back into your account after a reset using the same mobile number. Your contacts can still reach you on that number.
The only way to change the phone number linked to your WhatsApp account is to switch numbers within WhatsApp’s settings. But account reset does not alter your number itself.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Resetting your WhatsApp account clears all data like messages, groups, media etc.
- Your account remains active and linked to your phone number.
- There is no way to recover erased chat history after a reset.
- Your contacts are not notified when you reset WhatsApp.
- Resetting does not delete your account or change your phone number.
Reset with care, as it permanently erases conversations, photos, videos and other memories you may want to keep. But when needed, it can provide a fresh start on WhatsApp.
| Reasons to Reset WhatsApp Account | What Gets Deleted | What Remains |
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Hope this gives you a better understanding of what happens when you reset your WhatsApp account and the key things to keep in mind before doing so.