How to restore WhatsApp on your phone if you do not have access to the number?

How to restore WhatsApp on your phone if you do not have access to the number - briefly?

If you no longer have access to the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account, restoring your chat history can be challenging. However, you can request a change of number through the app's settings and then proceed with verifying the new number via SMS or call.

How to restore WhatsApp on your phone if you do not have access to the number - in detail?

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to restore WhatsApp on your phone but no longer have access to the number associated with your account, there are several methods you can try to regain access. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

1. Backup and Restore: The first step is to ensure that you have a recent backup of your WhatsApp data. If you have previously backed up your chats to Google Drive or iCloud, you can restore them even if you don't have access to the original number.

   • For Android users: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store. During the setup process, select "Restore" when prompted to restore your chat history from Google Drive.
   • For iOS users: If you have an iCloud backup, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store. When setting up WhatsApp, select "Restore Chat History" to retrieve your messages from iCloud.

2. Verify via Email: If you did not set up two-step verification previously, WhatsApp will send a six-digit code to the email address associated with your account. You can use this code to verify your phone number and restore access to your WhatsApp account.

   • During the setup process, when prompted for the verification code, select "Send code via email" instead of "Call me". Enter the six-digit code sent to your email address to complete the verification process.

3. Two-Step Verification: If you had two-step verification enabled on your account, you will need the 6-digit PIN that was created during setup. Without this PIN, recovering your WhatsApp account without access to the original number becomes very challenging.

   • If you remember your PIN, enter it when prompted during the setup process. If you have forgotten your PIN, you will need to contact WhatsApp support for further assistance, as there is no other way to bypass this security measure.

4. Contact WhatsApp Support: In cases where you cannot recover your account through backups or email verification, reaching out to WhatsApp support is the next best option. Provide them with as much information as possible about your situation, including any previous phone numbers associated with your account and the date of your last backup.

   • Go to the WhatsApp website and navigate to the "Help Center" or "Contact Us" section. Fill out the form with all relevant details and submit it for review.

5. Use a Different Phone Number: If all else fails, you may need to start fresh with a new phone number. While this means losing access to your previous chat history, you can still use WhatsApp to communicate with others.

   • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your device. During the setup process, enter a new phone number when prompted for verification. This will create a new account, and you can start using WhatsApp again.

By following these steps, you should be able to restore access to your WhatsApp account even if you no longer have access to the original phone number. Always remember to keep your backups up-to-date and enable two-step verification for added security.