What happens if I change my number in WhatsApp - briefly?
Changing your number in WhatsApp will result in the loss of your chat history and all associated media unless you have a recent backup. Additionally, your contacts will need to update your phone number in their address book to continue messaging you.
What happens if I change my number in WhatsApp - in detail?
When you change your phone number on WhatsApp, several changes occur that are important to understand. Firstly, WhatsApp does not allow users to simply swap their old number for a new one within the app; instead, you need to create a new account with the new number. This means that all of your previous conversations and media will remain linked to your old phone number, and you will lose access to them unless you transfer them manually before changing your number.
To facilitate this process, WhatsApp offers an option to change your number while keeping your chat history, contacts, and settings intact. This feature is particularly useful for users who want to maintain their conversation history without interruption. To use this feature, go to Settings > Account > Change Number in the app. Follow the prompts to verify your new phone number and ensure that your old number is correctly entered so that WhatsApp can transfer your information.
However, it's essential to note that while this process preserves your chat history, some aspects of your account will not be transferred. Group chats you were part of under your old number will still exist, but you won't be able to access them unless the group admin manually adds your new number back into the group. Additionally, any contacts saved in your phone's address book that are linked to your old number will need to be updated with your new number.
WhatsApp also provides an option to notify your contacts about your new phone number automatically. This feature can be especially helpful for letting people know about the change without having to send individual messages manually. To use this, enable the "Notify Contacts" option during the number change process in WhatsApp.
In summary, changing your phone number on WhatsApp involves creating a new account and potentially losing access to previous conversations unless you take steps to transfer them manually. WhatsApp offers features to ease this transition, such as preserving chat history and notifying contacts automatically, but it's crucial to be aware of the changes that will occur and plan accordingly.