If you change your number in WhatsApp - briefly?
If you change your phone number on WhatsApp, your chat history and groups will remain intact as they are linked to your account, not the phone number itself. However, your contacts will need to update their address books with your new number to continue messaging you without interruption.
If you change your number in WhatsApp - in detail?
If you decide to change your phone number on WhatsApp, there are several steps and considerations you should be aware of to ensure a smooth transition. WhatsApp allows users to change their number while keeping their account information, such as contacts, groups, profile photo, and settings. However, it is essential to understand that this process involves some critical steps to avoid losing important data or disrupting communication with your contacts.
Firstly, you need to back up your chat history. WhatsApp provides an option to create a backup of your chats, which can be stored on Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iPhone users). This step is crucial as it ensures that all your messages and media are safely backed up before initiating the number change process.
Once you have created a backup, you will need to notify WhatsApp of your new phone number. To do this, open WhatsApp on your device, go to the "Settings" menu, and select "Account." From there, choose the option that allows you to change your phone number. You will be prompted to enter your current phone number and then verify it using an SMS code sent to that number. After verification, you can input your new phone number.
During this process, WhatsApp will attempt to transfer your chat history, profile photo, and settings from your old number to the new one. It is important to note that while this transfer is usually seamless, there may be instances where some data might not transfer over completely due to technical limitations or issues with the backup.
After successfully changing your phone number, it is a good idea to inform your contacts about the change. This ensures that they can update their address books and continue communicating with you without interruption. Additionally, you may want to delete your old WhatsApp account associated with the previous phone number to avoid any confusion or potential security risks.
In summary, changing your phone number on WhatsApp involves backing up your chat history, notifying WhatsApp of the change, and informing your contacts about the new number. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition while maintaining access to your important data and continuing communication with your contacts.