Changing a SIM card or mobile operator often raises concerns among messenger users: will important correspondence be lost, will groups and contacts remain? The application WhatsApp has a special mechanism that allows you to transfer your entire profile to a new number without having to delete the app or reset your smartphone. This is critically important for those who store years of communication in messenger archives.
The procedure for changing a number is technically simple, but requires care at every stage. System automatically will notify all your interlocutors that you have a new number, unless you prohibit it yourself. At the same time, chat history, media files and privacy settings will remain untouched, since they are tied to the device account, and not just to the SIM card.
Before taking active steps, make sure that the new SIM card is already installed in the smartphone and is receiving incoming calls or SMS. Without access to the new number, verification will not take place, and the data transfer process will be interrupted at the most interesting point. Let's look at a step-by-step algorithm of actions for different versions of Android.
Device preparation and backup
Although the built-in number change function is designed to save data automatically, the rule of “God saves the best” has not been canceled in the world of digital technology. It is strongly recommended that you create a fresh backup of your chats before starting the procedure. This will serve as insurance in case of unexpected network failures or synchronization errors during the migration process.
To create a backup, open the application and go to the settings menu. You need to find the section Chats → Chat backup. Click the "Backup" button and wait for the process to complete. Make sure that the copy is saved to the exact cloud service that is linked to your Google account - Google Drive.
Also check the availability of free space on the internal drive. Sometimes, when transferring large amounts of media files, the system may require temporary space to buffer the data. If the memory is full, clear the cache or delete unnecessary files before starting.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure you remember the password for your Google account to which the backup is linked. Without authorization in the same account, it will be impossible to restore data on a new device or after reinstalling the application.
☑️ Ready to change number
Starting the number change function in the settings
The process itself is initiated directly from the application interface, and not through the phone settings. Open WhatsApp and click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen to bring up the context menu. Select "Settings". At the very top you will see your avatar and current phone number - click on it.
The “Account” screen will open. Here find the option Change number and tap on it. The system will immediately warn you that the number to which the account is registered will be changed. Click the “Next” button to proceed to entering data.
You will be asked to enter two numbers: in the first field, enter the old number (which is currently active in the application), and in the second - the new number to which you want to switch. The input format must be international, so the country code is usually entered automatically, but you can change it manually.
If you change the number within one country, the country code will remain the same. If you moved to another country and received a local SIM card, be sure to change the country code in the new number entry field.
After entering the numbers, click “Next”. At this stage, the system will prompt you to choose who to notify about the number change. This is an important point in communication with your contacts.
Setting up notifications for contacts
WhatsApp provides flexible settings for notifying your interlocutors. You can choose who will know about your new number: all contacts, only those with whom you have open chats, or manually selected contacts. The “Nobody” option is also available if you want to change your number incognito.
If you choose to notify all contacts, a system message will appear in their chat list indicating that you have changed your number. This will save you from having to write to everyone personally and will prevent you from losing contact with those who have not added your new number to your phone address book.
- 📢 All contacts: absolutely all people in your phone book will receive a notification, regardless of whether you have communicated with them or not.
- 💬 Contacts with open chats: the message will only come to those with whom you have an active correspondence or groups.
- 🎯 Selected contacts: you can tick specific people for whom it is important to know about the number change.
Having selected the appropriate option, press the confirm button. It is at this moment that the data transfer process will begin. Do not close the application or lock the screen until the process is completed.
The process of verifying the new number
The next step will be to confirm ownership of the new number. An SMS message with a six-digit confirmation code will be sent to the specified number. Enter this code into the appropriate field in the application. If the SMS does not arrive within a minute, you can request a voice call.
After successfully entering the code, the system will begin transferring information. This includes transferring profile information, privacy settings, and most importantly, message history. The process time depends on the volume of your chats and Internet speed.
| Process stage | What happens | User actions |
|---|---|---|
| Data entry | The system accepts the old and new number | Enter numbers in the format +7... |
| Notification | Creating a list of contacts for notification | Select a contact category |
| Verification | Sending SMS to a new one number | Enter the code from the message |
| Migration | Transfer chats and media to a new number | Wait for completion (do not close the application) |
⚠️ Attention: The old SIM card will no longer be linked to your WhatsApp account. If you insert it into another phone and try to register WhatsApp there, a new empty account will be created, and the old profile on the new number may be deactivated if there is no activity for a long time.
What happens to groups and settings
One of the most frequently asked questions: will I stay in groups? The answer is unequivocal - yes. When you change your number through the built-in function, you automatically leave all groups under the old number and instantly join them under the new one. For the rest of the group members, this looks like changing the administrator or member number, but you do not lose access to the history of correspondence in the group.
Privacy settings, such as “Who sees my status,” “Who sees my profile photo,” and “Who sees information about the last visit,” are also completely preserved. You don't have to configure them again. Moreover, your new number is automatically added to the address books of those contacts who have saved your old number, provided that they use the synchronization function.
It is important to note that if you had a PIN code enabled, then when you log in from a new number, the system may request this code. Make sure you remember it, otherwise access to your account will be blocked for 7 days. 2-step verification (PIN code), then when logging in from a new number, the system may request this code. Make sure you remember it, otherwise access to your account will be blocked for 7 days.
What happens if I just delete the application and install it again?
If you simply delete WhatsApp and reinstall it by entering a new number when registering, you will create a completely new account. The entire correspondence history associated with the old number will remain encrypted on WhatsApp servers, but you will not be able to access it without restoring it from a backup copy associated with the old number. This will result in data loss.
Solving common problems
Sometimes the process may encounter difficulties. For example, if the new SIM card has not yet been activated by the operator, you will not receive a confirmation code. In this case, check the balance and status of the SIM card by calling it from another phone.
Another problem is an error when creating a backup copy. This often happens when the Wi-Fi connection is unstable. Try switching to mobile data or finding a network with a stronger signal before starting the operation. Also make sure that there is enough space on Google Drive.
If the application freezes at the “Preparing chats” stage, try restarting your smartphone and starting the procedure again. In rare cases, clearing the application cache through the Android settings helps: Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Storage → Clear cache.
⚠️ Attention: The WhatsApp interface is updated regularly. The location of the buttons or the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of the application and the shell of your smartphone (MIUI, OneUI, Stock Android).
The main advantage of the built-in number change function is the automatic transfer of chats without the need for manual restoration from a backup, which saves time and reduces the risk of data loss.
Frequently asked questions about changing your number
Will my messages be lost when you change your number?
No, if you use the built-in “Change number” function in your account settings. All messages, media files and settings will be transferred to the new number automatically. Messages will disappear only if you register a new account from scratch.
Will my contacts know that I changed my number?
It depends on your choice at the time of changing the number. You can send a notification to all contacts, only those you have chats with, selected contacts, or no one. If you select “No one,” your contacts will know about it only if you write to them or they see the new number in general groups.
Do you need to delete your old account before changing your number?
No, deleting your account is not necessary and is even harmful. The number change function is intended specifically for transforming an existing account. Deleting an account will lead to the permanent loss of correspondence history and exit from all groups.
Can I change the number if I use WhatsApp Business?
Yes, the procedure is similar. The WhatsApp Business app also has a number change feature in your profile settings. The business profile, product catalog and labels will be saved when transferred to a new number.
What should I do if I have lost access to the old SIM card?
To use the number change function, the old SIM card must be inserted into the phone (or you must have access to receive SMS to it), since the system asks you to enter the old number for confirmation. If the SIM card is lost, you can restore your account only through the recovery procedure from a Google Drive backup when installing the application on a new number, but this is more complicated and requires a preliminary backup.