If I change my WhatsApp number, will my contacts know - briefly?
If you change your WhatsApp number, your existing contacts will not automatically be informed about the change. However, if you choose to use the "Change Number" feature within the app, your contacts will receive a notification about your new number.
If I change my WhatsApp number, will my contacts know - in detail?
If you change your WhatsApp number, whether or not your contacts will know depends on several factors.
Firstly, if you have backed up your chat history using Google Drive or iCloud, the process of changing your number should be seamless. When you switch numbers, WhatsApp will attempt to transfer your account information and chat history to the new number. Your contacts will continue to see your profile as it was before the change, including your display picture, status, and any other information you have shared. However, they will not be explicitly notified about the change in your phone number.
Secondly, if you have not backed up your chat history or are using a different platform for backup (such as a local backup on an Android device), the transition may be more complex. In this case, WhatsApp might create a new account associated with your new number. Your contacts will see that their messages to your old number are no longer being delivered and might assume you have changed your number or deactivated your account. If they try to message you again using your old number, WhatsApp may inform them that the number is no longer in use for WhatsApp.
It is essential to understand that even if your contacts do not know immediately about the change, there are certain scenarios where they might become aware of it:
- Group Chats: If you are part of a group chat and someone mentions your old number or tries to add it back to the group, your new number will not be recognized as part of that conversation, potentially leading others in the group to realize you have changed your number.
- Profile Information: If your profile picture, about section, or other visible information is updated, contacts might notice changes and suspect a new phone number.
- Manual Notification: You can manually inform your contacts about the change by sending them a message from your new number. This ensures they are aware of the update and can add you to their contact lists under the correct number.
In summary, while WhatsApp does not notify your contacts directly when you change your number, there are indirect ways in which they might find out. To maintain smooth communication, it is a good practice to inform close contacts about the change manually.