If you’re planning to change your phone number, you may be wondering what will happen to your WhatsApp account. Since your WhatsApp account is linked to your phone number, it’s important to update it when you change your number or your phone. If you don’t, you might lose your entire WhatsApp chat history and other significant types of data.
In this article, we’ll show you how to change your WhatsApp number, whether you plan on getting a new phone or not. We’ll also answer some common questions about changing your WhatsApp number.
How to Change WhatsApp Number Without Getting a New Phone
Sometimes, you change your number without getting a new phone. Changing your phone number usually doesn’t create any issues with apps where you log in with your email. However, that may not be the case if the apps are directly linked to your phone number, like WhatsApp and Viber.
The good news is that WhatsApp created a feature for situations like this. It’s called the Change Number feature, and you can use it when you get a new number and a new phone. When you use the Change Number feature, all your account information will be transferred to your new number. Not only will all your group and individual chats be saved, but your profile picture and your name will remain the same as well.
If you still have the same phone but switched carriers, the first thing you need to do is take out your old SIM card and insert the new one into your device. Once you’re certain that you can receive messages and answer phone calls with your new number.
If you’ve simply changed your phone number verify that it is working before proceeding.
Here’s what you need to do next:
- Launch WhatsApp.
- Go to settings by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner of your screen.
Note: If you have an iPhone, the “Settings” tab is located directly on your home screen. If you’re an Android user, first, you’ll have to tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner of your screen and then proceed to “Settings.” - Continue to “Account.”
- Tap on the “Change Phone Number” option.
- Go to “Next” in the upper-right corner.
- Type in your old country code and phone number in the first field.
- Type in your new country code and phone number in the second field.
- Select “Next.”
At this point, you can choose whether to notify your WhatsApp contacts that you’ve changed your phone number. You can also choose which contacts WhatsApp will notify – all contacts, contacts you chatted with, and custom. - Select “Done” and tap “Next.”
WhatsApp will now prompt you to verify your new phone number. You’ll get a six-digit code via an SMS or a phone call to complete the process.
Keep in mind that once you use the Change Number feature, you won’t be able to undo these changes. Once you transfer to your new WhatsApp account, the old one will automatically be deleted. In other words, your WhatsApp contacts won’t be able to find your old phone number in their contact lists.
How to Change WhatsApp Number on a New Phone
If you’re planning to change your phone number and your phone, then you need to take a couple of additional steps. Before we go into the details about changing your WhatsApp number, there is one thing you should keep in mind. WhatsApp will only let you keep the chat history if you move to the same type of device. For example, if you move from an iPhone to an iPhone or Android to an Android.
Getting a different type of phone means that you’ll be able to keep individual and group chats, and settings, your profile photo, and your name. However, your chat history will be automatically deleted. If you’re getting the same type of phone, you can transfer your chat history to your new account.
How to Back Up Your WhatsApp Chat History
The best way to transfer chat history on WhatsApp is with Google Drive and iCloud. To do this, you’ll need to have a Google Drive/iCloud account, enough room to create the backup, and a stable internet connection.
To back up your chat history on Whatsapp on an Android, follow the steps below:
- Open Whatsapp on your old phone.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner, and go to “Settings.”
- Proceed to “Chats.”
- Select “Chat Backup.”
- Tap on the “Back up to Google Drive.”
- For “Backup Frequency,” choose how frequently you want your chat history to be backed up.
- Choose the Google account you want to use to back up your WhatsApp chat history.
- Select “Back up.”
It will take some time for your entire WhatsApp chat history to be backed up to Google Drive. It’s best to use a strong Wi-Fi connection to do this instead of your cellular data network. The transfer will be faster, and you’ll avoid additional data charges.
To back up your WhatsApp chat history on an iPhone, follow the steps below:
- Open WhatsApp and go to “Settings.”
- Proceed to “Chats.”
- Tap on “Chat Backup” from the menu.
- Select the “Back Up Now” option.
Give it a couple of minutes. Your WhatsApp chat history will be backed up to your iCloud account. Another option you have is to enable the Automatic Backup feature. This will back up your data and chat history on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
How to Change WhatsApp Number on a New Phone
Now that you’ve backed up your WhatsApp chat history, it’s time to change your phone. Once you’ve installed WhatsApp on your new phone, used the Change Number feature, and verified your new phone number, here’s what you need to do next:
- Tap on “Allow” to give WhatsApp access to your contacts.
- Select “Allow” again so that WhatsApp has permission to access your photos, media, and files.
- Tap on “Restore” to restore your chat history from your old phone.
- Wait a couple of minutes. Select “Continue.”
- Choose how frequently you want to back up your WhatsApp data.
- Pick the Google/iCloud account that you used to create your backup.
Don’t forget to delete WhatsApp on your old phone. If you didn’t delete the Whatsapp account associated with your old phone number and activated a new account with your new phone number; the old one will be automatically deleted after 45 days.
It’s always best to delete all your data from your old phone when you’re ready to start using a new one. That way, you’ll keep all your data safe.
Additional FAQ
Here are some more answers to help you master WhatsApp.
Can I change my number in only one WhatsApp group?
Once you change your WhatsApp number, it will be the same number for every contact you have. Since WhatsApp contacts are imported from the contact list on your phone, they can see your phone number, and you can see their numbers. Furthermore, it isn’t possible to have two or more phone numbers for different contacts and groups on WhatsApp.
The moment you change your WhatsApp number, your contacts on WhatsApp won’t be able to see your old phone number.
Will my contacts be notified if I change my WhatsApp number?
When you change your phone number, WhatsApp lets you choose which contacts will be notified. You can select whether all your contacts will be notified, only contacts you interacted with, or only the contacts you want.
However, all your group chats will automatically be notified that you changed your phone number.
If I change my number, will I retain my chat history?
The good news is that your chat history will still be available on your phone when you change your phone number. You only need to back up and restore your WhatsApp chat history when you get a new phone.
What’s more, if you move to a different type of phone (from an Android to an iPhone, or vice versa), you won’t be able to retain your WhatsApp chat history. You can transfer other types of data such as your profile picture, WhatsApp name, settings, group chats, and individual chats.
Continue Using WhatsApp With Your New Number
There are specific steps you need to take when you change your phone number. Updating your WhatsApp account is one of them. With the Change Number feature, you’ll be able to change your phone number in minutes. If you plan on changing your phone as well, then you need to back up your chat history to restore it on your new device.
Have you ever changed your phone number on WhatsApp before? Did you go through the same steps outlined in this guide? Let us know in the comments section below.
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