WhatsApp is a widely-used instant messaging platform that allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share media files. If you’re planning to change your phone number but don’t want to lose your existing WhatsApp chats, you’re in luck. WhatsApp has a feature called “Change Number” that allows you to switch to a new phone number while retaining all your chats. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of changing your WhatsApp phone number without losing any of your valuable conversations.
Why Change Your WhatsApp Number?
There are several reasons why you might need to change your WhatsApp phone number. You could be getting a new SIM card, switching to a different phone carrier, or simply want to update your contact information. Whatever the reason, it’s important to ensure a smooth transition without losing any of your chats. WhatsApp’s Change Number feature makes it incredibly easy to achieve this.
Things to Consider Before Changing Your WhatsApp Number
Before you proceed with changing your WhatsApp number, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Make sure your old number is still registered: Before changing your number, verify that your old phone number is still registered with WhatsApp. You can check this by going to the WhatsApp Settings menu and tapping on your profile. A screen will appear displaying your name and phone number associated with the app.
- Ensure your new number can receive SMS or phone calls: To successfully change your WhatsApp number, your new phone number must be able to receive SMS or phone calls. This is necessary for verification purposes during the registration process.
- Backup your chats: If you’re also changing your phone along with your number, you’ll need to take a backup of your chats before proceeding. This backup can be stored on Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iPhone users). Once you’ve switched to the new phone, you can restore the backup to retrieve your chats.
Now that you’ve taken these considerations into account, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of changing your WhatsApp phone number.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on Your Phone
First, open the WhatsApp application on your smartphone. The icon usually looks like a green speech bubble with a white phone inside it.
Step 2: Navigate to the Account Settings
For iPhone users, tap on the “Settings” option located at the bottom right corner of the screen. Android users can access the settings menu by tapping the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Select the “Change Number” Option
In the settings menu, look for an option called “Account” and tap on it. Inside the Account settings, you’ll find the “Change Number” option. Select it to proceed.
Step 4: Confirm Your Ability to Receive SMS or Phone Calls on the New Number
After selecting the “Change Number” option, a screen will appear asking you to confirm whether you can receive SMS or phone calls on your new number. This step is crucial for the verification process. If you’re confident that you can receive messages or calls on your new number, press the “Next” button.
Step 5: Enter Your Old and New Phone Numbers
In this step, you’ll be prompted to enter both your old and new phone numbers. Carefully type in the respective numbers in the designated fields and double-check for accuracy.
Step 6: Choose Who to Notify About Your Number Change
WhatsApp gives you the option to notify your contacts about your number change. You can choose from three options:
- All contacts: This option will notify all your contacts about your new number.
- Contacts I have chat with: Only contacts with whom you’ve had previous conversations will be notified.
- Custom numbers: You can manually select specific contacts to notify about the change.
WhatsApp will automatically notify groups about the change, regardless of the option you choose. Select the appropriate option and proceed to the next step.
Step 7: Tap “Done”
Once you’ve made your selection, tap the “Done” button to finalize the process. WhatsApp will now prompt you to register your new phone number. You’ll receive a six-digit code via SMS or phone call on your new number.
Step 8: Enter the Verification Code
Enter the six-digit verification code in the provided field within the WhatsApp application. This code confirms that you own the new phone number and completes the registration process.
Congratulations! You have successfully changed your WhatsApp phone number without losing any of your chats. Your old chats will be available on your new number, and you can continue using WhatsApp as usual.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- If you’re using a dual SIM phone, make sure to select the correct SIM card associated with your WhatsApp account during the number change process.
- Keep in mind that changing your WhatsApp number will not transfer your account information, such as profile picture and status. You’ll need to update this information manually.
- It’s a good idea to inform your important contacts about your number change outside of WhatsApp as well. This ensures they have the most up-to-date contact information for you.
Conclusion
Changing your WhatsApp phone number doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With WhatsApp’s Change Number feature, you can seamlessly switch to a new number while preserving all your precious chats. Just follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be able to update your contact information without any hassle.
Now that you know how to change your WhatsApp number without losing chats, you can confidently make the switch whenever the need arises. Stay connected with your contacts and enjoy the convenience of WhatsApp with your new phone number!
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