How to change a WhatsApp number - briefly?
To change your WhatsApp number, first back up your chat history and then follow these steps: Open WhatsApp > go to Settings > Account > Change number. Enter your old phone number and the new one, then confirm.
How to change a WhatsApp number - in detail?
Changing your phone number on WhatsApp is a straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to detail to ensure that all your data and conversations are successfully transferred to the new number. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Firstly, it's important to note that changing your phone number on WhatsApp will not delete any of your existing chats or messages. The change will simply update your contact information across all platforms where you use WhatsApp.
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Before making any changes, it’s always a good idea to back up your data. This ensures that you won’t lose any important conversations or media files during the process. To do this:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap on 'Back Up Now' and follow the prompts to save your chat history to Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device.
Step 2: Update Your Phone Number in WhatsApp
Once you have backed up your data, you can proceed with changing your phone number:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings > Account.
- Tap on 'Change Number'.
- Enter your old phone number in the first field and your new phone number in the second field.
- Confirm that both numbers are correct by tapping on 'Next'.
- You will be prompted to verify your new phone number. WhatsApp will send a verification code to your new number via SMS or call, depending on your preference.
- Enter the verification code when prompted and tap on 'Next'.
Step 3: Notify Your Contacts (Optional)
WhatsApp provides an option to notify your contacts about your phone number change. This feature ensures that your contacts are aware of the update and can continue communicating with you without interruption.
- After verifying your new phone number, WhatsApp will ask if you want to notify your contacts about the change.
- You can choose to notify all contacts, some contacts, or skip this step entirely. It’s recommended to notify at least your most important contacts to prevent any communication disruptions.
Step 4: Complete the Process
Once you have notified your contacts (or skipped this step), WhatsApp will finalize the number change process. Your old phone number will be deleted from WhatsApp’s servers, and your new number will be associated with your account.
Step 5: Verify the Change
To ensure that everything has been transferred correctly, check your WhatsApp profile to see if your new phone number is displayed. Additionally, send a message to one of your contacts to verify that they can still communicate with you without any issues.
By following these steps carefully, you can successfully change your phone number on WhatsApp while preserving all your existing chats and data. If you encounter any problems during the process, WhatsApp’s help center offers additional support and troubleshooting tips.