How to transfer WhatsApp chats when changing your number?

How to transfer WhatsApp chats when changing your number - briefly?

To transfer WhatsApp chats when changing your number, you need to backup your data before changing the number and then restore it on the new device or the same device with a different number. This ensures that all your conversations and media are preserved without any interruption in service.

How to transfer WhatsApp chats when changing your number - in detail?

Transferring WhatsApp chats when changing your number is a common scenario that users might face. This process can be seamless if you follow the correct steps. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the transfer:

Firstly, it's crucial to ensure that both your old and new numbers are active on the same device during the migration process. Additionally, make sure that WhatsApp is up-to-date on your smartphone.

Step 1: Backup Your Chats

Before changing your number, you should back up your chats. This can be done via Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iOS users). Here’s how to do it:

For Android:

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Go to the menu by tapping on the three dots in the upper right corner.
  3. Select “Settings.”
  4. Tap on “Chats” and then “Backup.”
  5. Choose your Google account for backup.
  6. Ensure that you have sufficient storage space on your Google Drive.

For iOS:

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Go to the menu by tapping on the settings icon in the lower right corner.
  3. Select “Chats” and then “Backup.”
  4. Choose your iCloud account for backup.
  5. Ensure that you have sufficient storage space on your iCloud.

Step 2: Change Your Number

Once your chats are backed up, you can proceed to change your number within WhatsApp:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to the menu by tapping on the three dots in the upper right corner (for Android) or the settings icon in the lower right corner (for iOS).
  2. Select “Account.”
  3. Tap on “Change Number.”
  4. Enter your old number in the first field and your new number in the second field.
  5. Confirm by tapping “Next.”
  6. WhatsApp will verify your new number via SMS or phone call. Follow the prompts to complete the verification process.

Step 3: Restore Your Chats (if needed)

If you need to restore your chats on a new device, follow these steps:

For Android:

  1. Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp.
  2. Open WhatsApp and verify your number.
  3. When prompted, tap “Restore” to restore your chat history from Google Drive.

For iOS:

  1. Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp.
  2. Open WhatsApp and verify your number.
  3. When prompted, tap “Restore” to restore your chat history from iCloud.

Step 4: Notify Your Contacts (Optional)

While WhatsApp will notify some of your contacts about the change automatically, it’s a good idea to inform them manually as well. This ensures that everyone is aware and can update their contact lists accordingly.

By following these steps, you can successfully transfer your WhatsApp chats when changing your number, ensuring that your conversation history remains intact.