WhatsApp has become an integral part of our daily communication. It allows us to stay in touch with friends and family easily through messaging, voice and video calls. With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms.
Sometimes you may need to change your phone number due to switching service providers, getting a new phone, or other reasons. When you change your phone number, your WhatsApp account is tied to your old number. So what exactly happens when you change numbers on WhatsApp? Let’s find out.
WhatsApp Account Gets Unverified
When you first signed up for WhatsApp, you verified your account using the phone number you provided. WhatsApp sends a 6-digit verification code via SMS to confirm your phone number is correct.
Once you change your phone number, WhatsApp automatically detects your account is no longer verified with the new number. Your profile name will show up as “Unverified” in any group chats you are in. This is because your account is still tied to your old number that you no longer have access to.
You Cannot Verify Your New Number Immediately
You might think you can simply re-verify your account using the new phone number. However, WhatsApp does not allow you to verify a new number on an existing account immediately. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized people from taking over your account.
When you try to re-verify with your new number, WhatsApp will block any verification attempt for 7 days after changing numbers. This waiting period is to allow the original number holder time to regain access to their account in case the number change was unauthorized.
Existing Chats Stay Intact
The good news is any existing chats and groups you are already a part of will remain intact when you change numbers. You do not lose your chat history and data. You can still read and send messages in those chats as normal.
However, during the 7-day blocking period, you will be unable to make calls or send media like photos, videos and voice messages. Text messaging still works fine.
You Appear Unavailable to Some Contacts
To your existing WhatsApp contacts who have your old number saved, it will appear like you are “unavailable” after the number change. They will see a blank profile photo placeholder for your account.
This is because your account is not yet verified with the new number. WhatsApp uses your verified number as the unique identifier for your account. Until you re-verify, your account remains tied to the old number as far as your contacts are concerned.
New Contacts Can’t Find You
For new contacts who do not already have your old number saved, they will be unable to find or message you on WhatsApp during the 7-day period. This is because they are searching for you using the new number, which is not yet verified on your account.
If someone scans your new number’s QR code or saves your new number to their phone contacts, WhatsApp will not allow them to find or message your account until the number is verified.
You Appear Offline
Along with being “unavailable”, your WhatsApp status will show as “offline” or “last seen long ago” to all your contacts after changing your number. Even if you are online and using WhatsApp, it will seem like you are offline until the verification period ends.
This is due to the uncertainty about whether the number change was authorized. To avoid any confusion or fake activity, WhatsApp treats you as offline until your account is securely re-verified.
How to Change Numbers on WhatsApp
Now that you know what happens, here is how to actually change your phone number on WhatsApp:
- First, update your number in your phone’s settings so the new SIM card is activated.
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Change Number.
- Enter your old and new numbers.
- Tap “Next” and confirm the change.
This will immediately link your account to the new number. However, remember you still have to wait 7 days before you can re-verify the number and restore full account functionality.
How to Verify New Number After 7 Days
Once the 7-day period has passed, you can re-verify your account using the new number:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Change Number.
- Tap “Use my current number” and click Next.
- Enter the 6-digit code automatically sent to your new number via SMS.
This will complete the verification process and fully link your account to the new phone number.
Notifications When Changing Numbers
When you change your number, WhatsApp will notify your contacts in certain cases:
- Group Admins – If you are a group admin, other admins will be notified that you changed your number.
- Frequently Messaged – If someone messages you frequently during the 7-day period, they will be notified your number changed.
- Mentions – If someone mentions you in a group chat, they will be notified.
The notification indicates your phone number has changed and your identity is not verified. This avoids confusion for your frequent contacts during the transition period.
Regain Access Using Old Number
If you still have access to your old number during the 7-day period, you can change back to it to regain immediate use of your account. To do so:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Change Number.
- Enter your old number when prompted and tap Next.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code automatically sent to your old number.
This will revert back to using your old number for WhatsApp. You can then try changing to the new number again once you are ready.
Third-Party Apps Stop Working
Many third-party apps like WhatsApp Business rely on your account’s verified number as well. Unless these apps also update to your new number, they will stop working once you change your WhatsApp number.
You will have to update the new phone number within each third-party app to keep accessing your WhatsApp account through them. The process varies for each app.
Chat History Remains Same
It’s worth reiterating that your entire chat history and data stays exactly the same when you change your WhatsApp number. Apart from the verification differences outlined above, your account details do not change.
So any saved messages, shared media, group info, etc. will still be present once you re-verify your account. You essentially pick up right where you left off.
Change Number on WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business accounts work a bit differently than regular WhatsApp. Here’s what happens when you change numbers on a Business account:
- You can instantly verify your new number on WhatsApp Business.
- Your business profile name, info and messaging remains the same.
- Existing customers can still chat with your new business number.
So it is much simpler to change phone numbers on a WhatsApp Business account. Business messaging continues as usual with minimal disruption.
WhatsApp Web/Desktop App Issues
Linked devices like WhatsApp Web and Desktop will run into connectivity issues when you change your number:
- You will be logged out of all linked devices automatically.
- Attempting to log back in will fail with an error during the 7-day period.
- Once re-verified, you can use WhatsApp Web/Desktop by scanning the QR code again.
Conclusion
Changing phone numbers on WhatsApp causes your account to become unverified until you re-verify it with the new number. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized account access.
While there are some limitations for 7 days after a number change, your core messaging and chat history remain intact throughout. Take the necessary steps outlined here to ensure a smooth transition to your new phone number on WhatsApp.
| What Happens | Normal WhatsApp | WhatsApp Business |
|---|---|---|
| Account Verification Status | Unverified for 7 days | Can verify immediately |
| Messaging Ability | Text only, no calls/media | Full messaging ability |
| Appearance to Contacts | “Unavailable” and offline | Online and available |
| Third-Party App Connectivity | Disconnected until re-verified | Usually remains connected |
As you can see, changing your phone number has less impact on WhatsApp Business accounts compared to regular WhatsApp. Business messaging remains fully functional during the transition.
On regular WhatsApp, be prepared for the 7-day interruption until your account is re-verified. Inform your contacts ahead of time to avoid confusion about your “unavailable” status. With some planning, you can make number changes seamless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WhatsApp without my SIM card?
No, you cannot use WhatsApp without your SIM card and verified phone number. The app needs to validate your identity by sending a code to your linked number. Without a SIM card, you cannot receive the verification code or use WhatsApp.
Can I change my number on WhatsApp temporarily?
There is no temporary way to change numbers on WhatsApp. You can only switch to a new number permanently by following the steps outlined earlier. The change disconnects your old number until you verify the new one.
Can I use the same WhatsApp account on two phones?
No, you cannot use one WhatsApp account simultaneously on two different phones. Your account is tied to your verified phone number, so it can only be active on one device at a time.
Can I revert back to my old number on WhatsApp?
Yes, as long as you still have access to your old number, you can change back to it within 7 days. This will restore your account’s verified status. Follow the steps to change numbers again, but enter your old number instead.
Will my groups and contacts be notified if I change my number?
WhatsApp will notify specific contacts if you frequently interact with them, are a group admin, or are mentioned in groups. This avoids confusion about your suddenly inaccessible account during the transition.
Do I lose my chat history if I change my WhatsApp number?
No, your chat history and messages are stored in your account. So even after changing your number, your entire past messaging data remains intact. Nothing is deleted or lost.
Can I change my number if my old SIM card is lost/damaged?
No, you cannot change your WhatsApp number if you no longer have access to your old SIM. Without the old number, you cannot receive the verification code to confirm the change. You will have to create a new account.
Summary of WhatsApp Number Change Process
Here is a quick summary of the steps to change your phone number on WhatsApp:
- Activate your new SIM card and number on your phone.
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Change Number.
- Enter your old and new number when prompted.
- Confirm the change and wait 7 days.
- Go back to Change Number and select ‘Use my current number’.
- Verify the 6-digit code sent to your new number.
Following this process correctly allows you to change your WhatsApp number smoothly, retain your chat history, and avoid any major disruptions during the transition.
Inform your frequent contacts beforehand about the number change. Be prepared for some limitations until your account is re-verified after 7 days. With planning, you can make WhatsApp number changes quick and hassle-free.