Changing the phone number in WhatsApp

A new phone number does not require a new WhatsApp account: the built-in change number feature carries over the profile, the username, the settings, the chats and the groups. The account linked to the old number is closed in the process, so the step cannot be undone.

What moves to the new number?

• Moves over: the profile photo, the display name, the username, the privacy settings, the WhatsApp contacts, and individual and group chats.
• Closed: the account linked to the old number. Contacts no longer see the old number as a WhatsApp user.
• Blocked contacts: they stay blocked and are not notified of the new number.
• Cloud backup: a backup is tied to the number it was made with, so a backup made with the old number cannot be restored with the new one. Make a new backup right after the change: WhatsApp chat backup and restore.

Checks before the change

• The new number must be active and able to receive SMS and calls, because the six-digit registration code is sent there.
• The old number must be registered in WhatsApp on this very phone. This can be seen by opening “Settings” and tapping the profile.
• Not every number can be registered: VoIP, toll-free and premium-rate numbers do not work, and landline numbers can only be used in the WhatsApp Business app.
• The change can only be started on the primary phone. On WhatsApp Web, in the desktop app and on other linked devices, “Change number” is greyed out.
• If two-step verification is turned on, the matching password or PIN may be needed when verifying the new number. If it has been forgotten, sort that out first: Resetting a forgotten WhatsApp two-step verification password or PIN.

Steps to change the number on the same phone

1. Insert the new SIM card in the phone (or activate the eSIM).
2. On Android, start from “Settings” in the ⋮ menu at the top right; on iPhone, from the “Settings” tab or the profile photo.
3. Open “Account” > “Change number”, then tap “Next”.
4. Enter the old number in the first field and the new one in the second, including the country code, then tap “Next”.
5. When “Notify contacts” is turned on, choose “All contacts”, “Contacts I have chats with” or “Custom…”. Groups are always notified regardless.
6. After “Done”, WhatsApp sends the six-digit code to the new number; use it to verify the number. If the code does not arrive: The WhatsApp registration code doesn't arrive.

A new number and a new phone at the same time

The order matters here, because the backup is tied to the phone number. First change the number on the old phone and make a fresh backup there with the new number (on Android to the Google Account, on iPhone to iCloud). Then install WhatsApp on the new phone, register with the new number and restore the backup. In the reverse order, the backup belonging to the old number cannot be used on the new phone. According to the help, the username can only be carried over by changing the number on the same phone. Details of the move: Moving WhatsApp to a new phone with all chats.

If the old number is no longer available

• WhatsApp is still running on the phone: the number change can still be started, because the code is sent to the new number. The old SIM card is not needed, only for the account to be logged in with the old number. Use this option as soon as possible.
• The old number was lost together with the SIM card (theft, loss): the mobile carrier can usually provide a replacement SIM with the same number, which lets the account be verified again and then properly moved to the new number.
• The old number has been cancelled and WhatsApp is logged out too: the account cannot be transferred. A new account has to be registered with the new number, group admins have to invite you again, and the backup tied to the old number cannot be restored. WhatsApp automatically deletes the old account after a period of inactivity (usually 120 days).
• The new number is already registered: the number was probably used on WhatsApp by a previous owner. The new registration replaces it, and the previous owner's chats do not appear.