How to Change WhatsApp Number and Keep Chat History

Switching to a new phone number doesn’t mean you have to lose your WhatsApp messages, photos, and group chats. WhatsApp’s built-in “Change Number” feature migrates your account—including your chat history—to a new number while keeping your groups, settings, and even your linked devices intact. This guide walks you through the process on both Android and iPhone, and covers what to do if something goes wrong.

What You’ll Need

Your old phone with WhatsApp installed and working (you’ll need it to initiate the change).
Your new phone number, with the SIM card inserted and able to receive SMS or calls for verification.
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
Access to the phone number’s SMS or call verification (the same phone, or a secondary device if you’re using WhatsApp Web).

Step-by-Step

Back up your chats (optional but recommended). Even though changing your number doesn’t delete your chats, a fresh backup protects you if something unexpected happens. On Android, go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and tap Back up. On iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and tap Back Up Now.
Open WhatsApp on your old phone. Make sure you’re logged into your existing account with the number you’re leaving.
Go to Account settings. Tap the three dots (Android) or the gear icon (iPhone) in the top corner, then select Settings.
Tap “Account,” then “Change Number.” This option is only available on the phone that currently has your WhatsApp account active.
Read the explanation and tap “Next.” WhatsApp will tell you that your chats and groups will move to the new number. It also reminds you that your contacts will see your new number.
Enter your old and new numbers. In the first field, type your current (old) number in full international format (e.g., +1 555 123 4567). In the second field, type your new number in the same format. Double-check both before continuing.
Choose whether to notify contacts. You’ll see a checkbox: “Notify contacts.” If you leave it checked, WhatsApp will send a message to your individual chats and group chats (except for groups where you’re an admin and have restricted who can message) letting them know you changed your number. You can uncheck this if you’d rather tell people yourself.
Tap “Done.” WhatsApp will ask you to confirm that you want to change your number. Tap Done again.
Verify your new number. WhatsApp will send a verification code via SMS or call to your new number. Enter the code when prompted. If you don’t receive it, tap “Resend” or choose the “Call me” option.
Wait for the migration to finish. After verification, WhatsApp will transfer your account data (chats, groups, settings) to the new number. This usually takes a few seconds to a minute, depending on your connection. Your chat history will appear exactly as it was.
Check your linked devices. After the change, your old phone remains active, but you may need to re-link any WhatsApp Web or desktop sessions. Go to Settings > Linked Devices on your phone and re-scan the QR code if needed.

Common Mistakes

Entering the wrong number format. Always use the full international format, including your country code and the leading + (e.g., +1 for US, +44 for UK). Omitting the country code can cause verification to fail.
Changing your number before inserting the new SIM. You must be able to receive the SMS or call on the new number. If you change the number before the SIM is active, you won’t get the verification code.
Using the “Change Number” feature on a new phone. The option only appears on the phone that currently has your account. If you’re setting up a new phone, you should first transfer your chats using the standard backup/restore process, then change the number on the old phone (or on the new one after restoring).
Forgetting to back up. While the change itself is safe, a backup is your safety net. If you accidentally uninstall WhatsApp or lose your phone, you can restore your chats to the new number.
Not notifying contacts. If you uncheck the “Notify contacts” box, your contacts won’t automatically see your new number. They may still message your old number, which won’t reach you.

Tips

Do it when you have a stable connection. A weak Wi-Fi or mobile signal can interrupt the process. Connect to a reliable network before starting.
Keep your old SIM active for a while. Some services (like banking or two-factor authentication) may still send SMS to your old number. Keep it active for at least a week after the change.
Update your contacts in your phone’s address book. WhatsApp will update your number in your own contacts, but your friends’ phones won’t automatically update unless they sync. Tell important contacts directly.
Use the same phone for the change. It’s easiest to change the number on the same phone that has your WhatsApp account. If you’re moving to a new phone, first restore your backup on the new phone, then change the number there.
Check your group admin settings. If you’re an admin of a group and have restricted who can message, the “Notify contacts” feature may not send messages to that group. You may need to manually inform those members.

Troubleshooting

Verification code not arriving. Wait a few minutes and tap “Resend.” If you don’t get an SMS, choose the “Call me” option. Make sure your phone has signal and that you haven’t blocked WhatsApp from sending SMS (check your messaging app’s blocked numbers).
Error: “This number is already registered on WhatsApp.” This means the new number is already linked to another WhatsApp account. You’ll need to delete that account first (on the device that has it, go to Settings > Account > Delete my account), then try again. Be careful: deleting an account erases its chats.
Chat history missing after the change. First, check your internet connection. If chats are missing, restore from your backup. On Android, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, verify your new number, and when prompted, tap Restore from Google Drive. On iPhone, delete and reinstall WhatsApp, verify, and restore from iCloud.
Change Number option is greyed out. This can happen if you’re using an older version of WhatsApp. Update the app from the Play Store or App Store, then try again.
Contacts still see your old number. After changing, your profile shows the new number, but your contacts’ address books may not update automatically. Ask them to save your new number manually, or use the “Notify contacts” feature again (you can do it later via Settings > Account > Change Number and re-checking the box).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I lose my chat history when I change my number?
A: No. The Change Number feature migrates your entire chat history, including media, to your new number. Your chats are not deleted.

Q: Can I change my WhatsApp number without notifying my contacts?
A: Yes. Uncheck the “Notify contacts” box during the process. Your contacts won’t receive an automatic message, but they’ll see your new number when they view your profile.

Q: What happens to my groups when I change my number?
A: You remain a member of all your groups, and your group chat history stays intact. The group members will see your new number in your profile.

Q: Do I need to reinstall WhatsApp after changing my number?
A: No. The Change Number feature works within the same app installation. You don’t need to uninstall or reinstall.

Q: Can I change my number on WhatsApp Web?
A: No. The Change Number option is only available on the WhatsApp mobile app (Android or iPhone). You cannot initiate it from WhatsApp Web or Desktop.

Q: If I change my number, will my chat backup still restore to the new number?
A: Yes. Your backup is tied to your account (via Google Drive or iCloud), not your phone number. After changing your number, you can restore from the same backup if needed.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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