How to change the phone number in WhatsApp and save all contacts?

How to change the phone number in WhatsApp and save all contacts - briefly?

To change your phone number in WhatsApp while saving all contacts, first go to Settings > Account > Change Number. Enter both your old and new phone numbers when prompted, ensuring that you have access to the new number for verification. This process will migrate your account information and chat history to the new number seamlessly.

How to change the phone number in WhatsApp and save all contacts - in detail?

Changing your phone number on WhatsApp while ensuring that all your contacts are saved is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through each step, providing detailed instructions to make the transition seamless.

Firstly, it's important to understand that when you change your phone number in WhatsApp, all of your chat history, media, and settings will be transferred to the new number. However, contacts are not automatically saved; you need to take additional steps to ensure they are retained.

Before You Start

1. Backup Your Data: It’s always a good idea to back up your WhatsApp data before making any changes. This can be done through the settings menu in WhatsApp. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and follow the prompts to create a backup.
2. Verify Both Numbers: Ensure that both your old and new phone numbers are active and can receive SMS or calls. This is crucial for the verification process.

Changing Your Phone Number in WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
2. Access Settings: Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner to open the menu, then select Settings.
3. Account Information: In the settings menu, navigate to Account and then tap on Change Number.
4. Enter Old and New Numbers: WhatsApp will prompt you to enter your old phone number in the first field and your new phone number in the second field. Ensure that both numbers are entered correctly.
5. Verify Your New Number: After entering the numbers, tap on Next. You will receive a verification code via SMS or call on your new number. Enter this code when prompted to verify your new phone number.

Saving All Contacts

To ensure that all your contacts are saved and transferred correctly:

1. Check Your Contact List: Before changing the number, make sure that all important contacts are saved in your device's contact list. WhatsApp will use this contact list to transfer messages and media associated with those contacts.
2. Transfer Media and Messages: During the phone number change process, WhatsApp will ask if you want to notify your contacts about the change. It’s a good idea to select Notify Contacts so that they are aware of your new number.
3. Manual Transfer (If Necessary): If for any reason some messages or media do not transfer, you can manually forward them from your old number to your new number before deactivating the old number.

Post-Change Actions

1. Update Your Profile: After the change is complete, update your profile information with your new phone number if necessary. Go to Settings > Profile and make any required changes.
2. Inform Contacts: Even though WhatsApp can notify contacts for you, it’s a good practice to manually inform close friends or family members about the change.
3. Test Messaging: Send test messages to a few contacts to ensure that everything is working correctly with your new phone number.

By following these detailed steps, you can successfully change your phone number in WhatsApp while ensuring that all your contacts and chat history are saved and transferred smoothly.