Changing a phone number or transferring data to a new smartphone often requires changing your account in popular instant messengers. This process is implemented quite flexibly, but users often encounter difficulties when trying to save the entire correspondence history. Wrong actions can lead to complete loss of data or blocking of the profile, so it is important to follow a clear algorithm. WhatsApp This process is implemented quite flexibly, however, users often encounter difficulties when trying to save the entire correspondence history. Wrong actions can lead to complete loss of data or profile blocking, so it is important to follow a clear algorithm.
Many people mistakenly believe that to change an account it is enough to simply delete the application and install it again. This approach will lead to the fact that your contacts and groups will remain on the old number, and the new profile will be completely empty. In this article, we will analyze in detail the official methods of changing an account, the features of data transfer and the nuances of working with backups on the platform Android.
Preparing for changing an account and checking data
Before starting any manipulations with your profile, you need to make sure that you have access to both phone numbers: the old and the new. This is a critical condition, since the system will require confirmation via SMS code or voice call. If the SIM card with the old number has already been disposed of, the process may become significantly more complicated or impossible without contacting support.
Make sure that the backup function is enabled on the device. In the messenger settings, check the status of the latest backup in Google Drive. If the last copy was created a long time ago, force the data to be saved right now. This ensures that no messages are lost during the migration process.
It is also worth checking the amount of free space on the internal storage of your smartphone. The migration process may require temporarily creating duplicate database files. Lack of memory often causes errors when restoring chats.
- 📱 Make sure that both SIM cards (old and new) are active and receiving calls.
- ☁️ Check for the latest backup in your account settings.
- 💾 Free up at least 1-2 GB of free space on the internal storage.
Before changing your number, export important chats separately using the "Export Chat" function in order to have a backup copy in text format in the mail.
The official way to change the number through the settings
The developers WhatsApp implemented a special "Change number" function, which allows you to transfer account information, including groups and privacy settings, to a new phone number. This method is the most preferred as it automatically notifies your contacts when data changes.
To start the procedure, open the application and go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version of your Androidsmartphone, but usually it looks like this: click on the three dots in the upper right corner, select Settings, then go to the Accountsection. This is where the key option for migration is hidden.
Select item Change number. The system will display a warning that your old number will be removed from the contact lists of other users, and a new one will be added. Click "Next" and enter the phone number in international format. It is important to enter the country code correctly, otherwise the confirmation code will not be received.
After entering the data, you will be asked to choose who to notify about the change of number. You can notify all contacts, only those with active chats, or select specific people manually. Ignoring this step may result in friends continuing to write to the old number, which you no longer control.
☑️ Number change algorithm
Transferring correspondence history to a new number
One of the most frequently asked questions concerns saving message history. When using the “Change number” function inside the application, all chat history, media files and group settings are transferred automatically. You do not need to manually copy database files through the file manager, as was required in older versions of the software.
However, if you change not only the number, but also the device itself, the process becomes more complicated. In this case, you must first create a full backup on your old phone, linked to your account Google. Then, when installing the application on a new smartphone, use the same account Google to restore the data.
If you have already changed the number in the application and then reinstalled it, the restoration may not work correctly without additional manipulations with the local backup files.
| Data type | Transferred automatically | Requires manual backup |
|---|---|---|
| Text messages | Yes (when changing the number in the application) | Yes (when changing device) |
| Media files (photos, video) | Yes | Yes (if media downloading is not enabled) |
| Privacy settings | Yes | No |
| Pinned chats | Yes | No (reset) |
What to do if the automatic transfer did not work?
If chats do not appear after logging in with a new number, try manually renaming the database file msgstore.db.crypt14 in the Databases folder, adding the current date, and reinstall application.
Complete reinstallation of the messenger
Sometimes users prefer not to use the number change function, but simply delete the application and register again. This method is suitable if the old number is completely lost and it is impossible to restore access to it. However, in this case, you will lose your entire correspondence history if you have not previously saved local copies.
The deletion process must be thorough. Simply dragging an icon to the trash is not enough. Go to Settings your Androidsmartphone, find the Applicationssection, select WhatsApp and press Delete. After this, it is recommended to clear the cache and data if the system prompts you to do so before deleting.
When installing again, make sure that you download the application only from the official store Google Play. Using modified versions (such as GBWhatsApp or WhatsApp Plus) may lead to temporary or permanent account blocking by the messenger servers.
⚠️ Attention! If you completely reinstall without using the “Change number” function, you will be removed from all groups. Group administrators will have to add you manually using the new number.
After installation, enter the new phone number. The system will send a confirmation code. If you are using a dual SIM phone, make sure the correct SIM card is selected to receive SMS. In some cases, the SMS does not arrive instantly, and you have to wait for the countdown timer to request a voice call.
Working with backups in Google Drive
Integration with cloud storage Google is a standard for the platform Android. Correctly setting this parameter allows you to avoid data loss during failures. Go to chat settings and select Chat backup. Here you will see the date of the last save and the account Googleto which it is linked.
The frequency of automatic creation of copies can be configured at your discretion: daily, weekly or monthly. For those who frequently change data or are concerned about the safety of information, it is recommended to select daily updates. However, it is worth considering that frequent backups can consume mobile traffic if copying is not configured only via Wi-Fi.
Local copies are stored in the phone memory for 7 days and are created daily at 02:00 am. This is an important nuance: if the cloud backup is damaged or inaccessible, you can always try to restore data from a local file by renaming it appropriately before installing the application.Typical errors and ways to solve them
When changing an account, users often encounter an error "The backup could not be restored." This can happen for several reasons: account mismatch Google, lack of Internet access, or database file corruption. Check whether the email is specified in the phone settings as in the messenger settings.
Another common problem is endless code reviews. If the code does not arrive, check whether your security system or antivirus is blocking incoming SMS from short numbers. Also try rebooting your device and switching to airplane mode to refresh your network connection.
If the app throws an error when changing a number, stating that the number is already registered, it means that there is already an active account on that number. You will have to log into this account and delete it, or use the change number function to “absorb” the old profile with the new one.
- 🔒 Authentication error: check your Google account password and two-factor authentication.
- 📶 Network problems: switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or vice versa.
- 📂 File access error: check the application permissions to access the storage in the Android settings.
⚠️ Attention! Never share the SMS code with strangers, even if they introduce themselves as WhatsApp support staff. This is the most common method of hacking accounts.
Most errors when changing an account are associated with an unstable Internet connection or mismatch of Google accounts.
Privacy settings after changing a number
After successfully changing an account, it is recommended to double-check your privacy settings. Sometimes data may be reset to default values during migration. Go to the section Privacy and make sure that the profile photo, “Been” status and read information are configured as convenient for you.
Pay attention to the phone number display settings. New versions of the application have the ability to hide a number from group members if they are not saved in your phone book. This is a useful anti-spam feature that should be activated immediately after moving to a new number.
Also check your list of blocked contacts. When you change your number through the built-in function, the blocked list is usually transferred, but if you manually reinstall it, you will have to create it again. Remember to block the old number if it has been transferred to another person to avoid confusion.
What will happen to my groups after changing the number?
When you use the “Change Number” feature, you will remain in all groups, and other members will see a notification that your number has changed. When you create a new account from scratch, you will leave all groups and will have to ask the administrators to add you again.
Is it possible to have two WhatsApp accounts on one phone?
Yes, many modern Android smartphones have the “App Cloning” or “Dual Messenger” function. You can also install the official WhatsApp app and WhatsApp Business app using different phone numbers.
How to transfer chats from iPhone to Android when changing number?
Direct transfer via the cloud is not possible due to differences in backup systems (iCloud vs Google Drive). You must use a special cable or data transfer function when initially setting up a new Android smartphone that supports migration from iOS.
⚠️ Attention! The application interface and menu layout may change after updates. If you do not find the described item, use the search inside the settings section.
Use the "Archive chats" function before changing the number to clear the main screen and quickly find the necessary dialogues after restoring the data.