How to restore WhatsApp if you don't have access to the phone number - briefly?
If you lose access to your WhatsApp account due to a change in phone number and do not have access to the old number, you can restore your account by contacting WhatsApp support with detailed information about your issue. Providing proof of ownership, such as a recent backup or unique content from conversations, will expedite the restoration process.
How to restore WhatsApp if you don't have access to the phone number - in detail?
Restoring WhatsApp without access to your phone number can be challenging, but there are several methods you can try. Here’s a detailed guide on how to proceed:
Method 1: Use Email or SMS Verification
If you previously linked your WhatsApp account to an email address, you might be able to restore it using that email. Similarly, if you have access to the old phone number's SMS service, you can use it for verification.
- Install WhatsApp on your new device.
- During the setup process, when prompted to verify your phone number, enter your old number.
- When asked to receive a verification code via SMS or email, choose the option that corresponds to your linked account.
- Check your email inbox for a message from WhatsApp containing a six-digit code. If you’re using SMS, wait for the code to arrive on your old phone number's messaging service.
- Enter the code into WhatsApp on your new device and follow the prompts to restore your chats.
Method 2: Use Google Drive Backup
If you had enabled Google Drive backup on your old device, you can use this backup to restore your WhatsApp data.
- Install WhatsApp on your new device and open it.
- Follow the setup process until you are prompted to enter your phone number.
- Instead of entering a new number, choose "Restore" when asked if you want to restore your chat history from Google Drive.
- Ensure that you have backed up your data with the same Google account you used on your old device.
- Follow the prompts to restore your chats and media from Google Drive.
Method 3: Use Local Backup
If you had a local backup of your WhatsApp data, you can use it to restore your conversations.
- Install WhatsApp on your new device.
- During the setup process, when prompted to verify your phone number, enter your old number if possible. If not, proceed without verification.
- When asked to restore from a backup, choose "Restore" and select the local backup file from your internal storage or SD card.
- Follow the prompts to complete the restoration process.
Method 4: Contact WhatsApp Support
If none of the above methods work, you can try contacting WhatsApp support for assistance.
- Open WhatsApp on your new device and go through the setup process until you reach the verification screen.
- When prompted to enter your phone number, tap "Can't verify account" or a similar option if available.
- Follow the prompts to submit a request for support. Provide as much information as possible about your situation, including any previous phone numbers and email addresses associated with your WhatsApp account.
- Wait for a response from WhatsApp support. They may be able to assist you in restoring access to your account.
Important Considerations
- Backup Regularly: To prevent loss of data in the future, make sure to regularly back up your WhatsApp conversations to Google Drive or another storage method.
- Link Email Address: During initial setup or later in settings, link your email address to your WhatsApp account for easier recovery.
- Security: Be cautious about sharing sensitive information with support services and ensure that you are communicating with the official WhatsApp support team.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to restore your WhatsApp data even if you don’t have access to your old phone number.