Changing a mobile number is always stressful, especially when it comes to instant messengers, where all correspondence is stored. For users Androidwho change the device and SIM card at the same time, the process may seem like a confusing labyrinth of menus and settings. However, if you act consistently, saving your conversation history, media files, and privacy settings is quite possible. The main thing is to understand the difference between simply replacing the SIM card in one phone and completely transferring data to a new device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of migrating your account WhatsApp. We will look at the official methods built into the application itself, and will also touch on working with cloud storage Google Drive.
Before you begin active actions, make sure that you have access to both phones (old and new) and to both numbers (old and new). You will need to receive SMS codes confirmations for the new number, so the SIM card must be active and working. Also check the availability of free space in the cloud storage or in the internal memory of the device to create temporary files.
Preparing the old device for migration
The first and most critical stage is creating an up-to-date backup on your old smartphone. Without this step, further actions are pointless. Go to the application settings and find the section responsible for data safety. Here you need to make sure that the last copy was created just a few minutes ago.
Pay attention to the type of backup. By default WhatsApp uses Google Drive, but for local transfer it is sometimes more convenient to create a copy manually. If you plan to use the cloud, check which Google account you are syncing under. On the new phone, you will need to log in to the same account, otherwise recovery will not be possible.
⚠️ Attention: If you use a password or 64-digit key to encrypt your backups, be sure to write them down. Without this data, it will not be possible to restore chats on a new device, even if you have a copy file.
It is also worth checking the size of the media files. If you have thousands of photos and videos, the process of uploading to the cloud can take a significant amount of time if the Internet is slow. In this case, it is recommended to connect to the network Wi-Fi and leave the phone to charge overnight. Do not forcibly interrupt the process if the progress indicator is frozen - it is better to wait.
☑️ Preparing the old phone
Installing the application on a new smartphone
After the old phone is prepared, move on to the new device. The first step is to install the messenger itself. Download the application only from the official store Google Play Marketto avoid malicious modifications that can steal your data.
When you first launch WhatsApp will ask you to accept the terms of service and enter your phone number. This is where many people make the mistake of entering the old number. You must immediately indicate the new number to which you want to transfer your account. The system will automatically detect the country code, but double-check it before pressing the continue button.
You will then be asked to enter a confirmation code. It will come in the form SMS messages on a new SIM card installed in a new phone. In rare cases, if the SMS does not arrive, you can request a voice call. Enter the code in the appropriate field. If the system prompts you to find a backup copy, agree to the search, but do not press the restore button yet if you have not yet changed the number in the settings of the old device (if the phone is still at hand).
If you change your phone, but leave the old number, the process is simplified: just restore a copy from Google Drive when you first start, entering the same phone number.
The procedure for changing the number within the application
This is the most important technical point of the entire instruction. The official mechanism for transferring chats to a new number is implemented through a special function inside the settings of the messenger itself. This method ensures that all group settings, avatars and correspondence history are linked to the new SIM card.
Open WhatsApp on your old phone (or on a new one if you have already installed it but have not yet completed the setup). Go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version Android, but usually it looks like this:
Settings → Account → Change numberClick on the item Change number. A warning will appear that your old number will be removed from the contact lists of your interlocutors, and a new one will be added. Click "Next". In the first field, enter your old phone number, and in the second, your new one. Make sure that the country codes are correct.
After entering the data, the system will offer to notify contacts about the number change. You can choose to notify all contacts, only those you have chats with, or not notify anyone. It is recommended to choose to notify contacts with chats so that they know that you have changed your number and do not lose contact.
⚠️ Attention: The "Change number" function carries over profile information, groups and settings. However, if you change your phone too, make sure that the backup copy is created AFTER using this function, so that the new number is already recorded in it.
Restoring data on a new device
Now that the number has been officially changed in the WhatsApp system and a fresh backup has been created linked to the new number, you can proceed to the final stage on the new one smartphone. If you have already installed the application and entered a new number, but have not restored your chats, uninstall the application and install it again to start the setup process from scratch.
When you install and enter a new number, WhatsApp will automatically detect an available backup copy in Google Drive or a local copy in the internal memory (if you transferred files manually via cable or file manager). The system will show the date and size of the found copy.
Press the button Restore. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on your data volume and internet speed. Do not close the application or lock the screen during recovery. Once completed, click "Next" and your chats will appear in the list.
| Data type | Moved automatically | Requires manual configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Text messages | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes (if enabled in backup settings) | No |
| Privacy settings | Yes | No |
| Pinned chats | No | Yes (needs to be pinned again) |
| Statuses (Stories) | No | Yes (disappears after 24 hours) |
Please note that pinned chats may be reset and will have to be pinned again. This is normal system behavior when changing an account or device. Temporary statuses will also disappear, as they cannot be backed up.
Critical: Restoration is only possible if the number specified when installing the application on a new phone matches the number to which the last backup was made.
Local transfer without using Google Drive
Sometimes using the cloud is not possible due to lack of internet or lack of space. In such cases, you can use local transfer of database files. This method requires connecting both phones to the computer or using a cable OTG to transfer files directly.
Backup files WhatsApp are stored in a specific directory. In modern versions of Android, the path may look complicated due to restrictions on access to system folders. Usually this is:
/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/DatabasesOr in older versions:
/WhatsApp/DatabasesYou need to copy a file with the name type msgstore.db.crypt14 (the encryption version number may differ) from the old phone to the new one, in the same directory. It is important to do this BEFORE installing the application on your new phone. If the application is already installed, delete it, transfer the file, and then install it again.
What to do if the computer does not see the Android folder?
In Android 11 and higher, access to the Android folder is limited. Use the built-in file manager "Files" from Google or connect your phone in MTP mode and enable USB debugging in the developer settings to get full access to the file system.
Solution and possible errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, technical failures may occur. One of the common problems is the message “Backup not found,” even though you are sure that you created one. This is often due to the fact that a different Google account has been entered on the new phone than the one used on the old device.
Another common situation is freezing at the “Recovery..” stage. If the process stands still for more than 30 minutes, the copy file may be damaged or the encryption version is incompatible. In this case, try updating the application WhatsApp to the latest version via Play Market on both devices.
Also, users often forget that an active SIM card is needed for the messenger to work. If you have transferred your number to a new phone, but the old SIM card no longer works and the new one has not yet been activated by the operator, you will not be able to pass verification. Make sure that the new number receives calls and SMS.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of the Android operating system and the WhatsApp application itself are updated regularly. The names of menu items or file paths may differ slightly on different smartphone models (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). If you do not find the item you need, use the search inside the phone settings.
If you are switching from iPhone to Android, use the official "Move to Data" application (or an analogue from the phone manufacturer), since direct transfer from iCloud to Google Drive is impossible without special utilities when setting up the phone for the first time.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my groups when I change my number?
No, you will not lose groups. When you use the Change Number feature, you remain a member of all the same groups. However, other group members will receive a system notification that you have changed your number (if you have selected the appropriate notification option). Your administrator rights will also remain.
Can I transfer chats if I don’t remember the password for my Google account?
If the backup copy is stored in Google Drive and encrypted with the account key, then without access to this account it is impossible to restore data from the cloud. You will have to first regain access to your Google account through Google support. If you have a local copy of the file on your phone, you can transfer it manually without Google.
What happens if I just insert a new SIM card into my old phone?
If you just replace the SIM card in your old phone, WhatsApp won't know about it automatically. You still need to go to the app settings and use the "Change number" function to link your account to the new SIM card. Otherwise, when you try to log in from a new number, the system will create a new empty account, and the old one will remain linked to an inactive card.
Are privacy settings transferred (who sees the photo, status)?
Yes, all privacy settings, including the list of blocked contacts, profile visibility settings, status and information about the last visit, are transferred along with the account when using the official change function numbers.
How long is a backup stored in Google Drive?
WhatsApp backups in Google Drive do not expire as long as your account is active. However, if you don't update your copy within a year, Google may delete it according to its inactive data policy. It is recommended to connect your phone to Wi-Fi at least once every few months to automatically update the backup.