Changing the main phone number in a popular application GetContact is a procedure that may be required when switching to a new SIM card, changing your region of residence, or for privacy purposes. However, unlike messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, here the process has its own unique features related to the tag base and contact linking.
Many users are faced with the fact that simply reinstalling the application or entering a new number in the settings does not lead to the desired result. The service's database is designed in such a way that your old number continues to appear in other people's searches, and tags may not be transferred automatically. To correctly transfer your account and avoid losing your history, you must strictly follow a certain algorithm of actions.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of changing a number on smartphones controlled by Android. We will consider both standard methods through the app settings, and workarounds if the standard function is for some reason unavailable or does not work correctly.
Account preparation and important nuances
Before proceeding with technical manipulations, you need to understand the architecture of the service. Your profile GetContact is strictly tied to phone number, which acts as a unique identifier. You cannot simply change the numbers in your profile - in fact, you are creating a new user for the system.
If you simply delete the application and install it again by entering a new number, you will get a clean account. All your favorite contacts, search history and, most importantly, a list of your own tags will remain linked to the old number. This is a critical point that is often overlooked.
⚠️ Attention: If you have a paid subscription GetContact Premium, it is not automatically transferred to the new number. You will have to subscribe again or contact support to manually transfer the remainder of the period, if such an option is available in your region.
It is recommended to make sure in advance that the new number is active and capable of receiving SMS messages or calls, since it is through them that verification will take place. Also check the stability of your Internet connection, since synchronizing your contact database requires a stable communication channel.
Before changing your number, take screenshots of your current tags and list of favorite contacts. This will help you manually restore important information if automatic transfer does not work correctly.
Standard method of changing a number through settings
Application developers periodically update the interface, but the basic algorithm for changing data remains similar in most versions for Android. First of all, open the application and go to the main menu by clicking on the profile icon or three bars in the corner of the screen.
In the menu that opens, find the section Settings. Inside this section you should look for the item responsible for managing your account. It may be called Account, Profile or Change number. The interface may differ depending on the firmware version of your smartphone and localization.
Click on the number change button. The system will ask you to confirm the action, warning you that old data may be lost. After confirmation, you will be asked to enter a new phone number in international format. Don't forget to select the correct country code from the drop-down list.
- 📱 Make sure that the latest version of the application from Google Play or the official website is installed on your device.
- 🔐 Enter the new number carefully, an error in one digit will lead to registration to someone else's account or a non-existent number.
- ⏳ Be prepared for the fact that the process may take several minutes due to the server checking the number.
After entering the data, a SMS code confirmation will be sent to the new number. Enter it in the appropriate field. If the code does not arrive within 2-3 minutes, request a resend or select the confirmation option via voice call.
☑️ Checklist before changing number
Solving problems with receiving a confirmation code
One of the most common problems when changing a number is the inability to receive a code activation. This may be due to operator settings, blocking of short numbers, or temporary failures on the service side. GetContact.
If the SMS does not arrive, try using an alternative method - voice call. The robot will dictate the code by voice. Often this method works even when text messages are blocked by antiviruses or Android privacy settings.
⚠️ Attention: Do not ask for a verification code too many times in a row. The security system may consider this an attack and temporarily block the ability to send SMS to your IP address or number for up to 24 hours.
It is also worth checking whether you have third-party spam blocking software installed, which can automatically delete messages from unknown senders. Temporarily disable such filters or check the folder Spam in your message application.
What to do if the code does not arrive for more than 1 hour?
If the code does not arrive for a long time, try changing the connection type from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa). Sometimes the problem lies in the routing of traffic from a specific provider, which is blocked by GetContact protection.
In rare cases, the problem may be on the side of the telecom operator. Make sure that the SMS receiving service is active and there are funds in your account if your tariff involves paying for incoming messages (relevant for roaming).
Migration of tags and saving data
The most painful issue when changing a number is the fate of the tags. Tags are created by other users when they save your number in their address book under a specific name. When you change the number, the connection is broken.
Unfortunately, automatic transfer of tags from the old number to the new one GetContact is not provided for by the application functionality. The new number will appear as a blank slate until your friends update the contact in their phones and synchronize it with the server.
To speed up the process of tags appearing on the new number, you need to:
- Inform all important contacts about the number change.
- Ask them to delete the old number from their contacts books.
- Ask them to save the new number and synchronize contacts in the application.
| User action | Result in GetContact | Update speed |
|---|---|---|
| The contact saved the new number | A new tag appears | Instantly after synchronization |
| The contact did not delete the old number | The old tag remains on the old number | Does not change |
| The contact has changed the name in the notebook | The tag is updated to a new one | At the next synchronization |
| The contact has deleted the application | None changes | — |
There is an unofficial method of “hidden” migration, but it requires access to the old number for some time. You can try to contact support through the feedback form in the application, providing proof of ownership of both numbers, but the success of such an operation is not guaranteed.
Tags are tied to a phone number in the database of other users. Without their active participation (resaving the contact), it is technically impossible to transfer the reputation to a new number.
Privacy settings for the new number
After successful registration to a new number, it is strongly recommended to immediately configure privacy settings. This will hide your new number from unwanted attention and prevent it from being added to various spammer databases.
Go to the section Privacy settings. Here you can activate the option Hide number. In this case, other users will not be able to see your phone number in the application, even if they find you by tag.
It is also worth disabling the display of the “Online” status and prohibiting adding you to tags without confirmation, if such a function is available in your version of the application. This will create an additional barrier to the collection of information about you.
- 🛡️ Enable the option
Hide my numberfor maximum anonymity. - 🚫 Prevent indexing of your number in tag searches.
- 👁️ Turn off visibility of activity status for all users.
Remember that complete anonymity may make it difficult for your friends to find you. Find a balance between privacy and ease of communication. If you use your phone for business, you might want to leave the number visible, but moderate the tags carefully.
Deleting an old account and clearing data
After you have successfully activated a new number, the question arises: what to do with the old account? If you plan to completely abandon your old SIM card, it is recommended to initiate the data deletion process so that your old number does not continue to “shine” in the database.
To do this, go to the settings of the old profile (as long as you have access to the old SIM card to receive the login code). Find the section Deleting an account or Deactivation. Confirm the action. After this, your tags will begin to disappear from the search, and the number will be marked as inactive.
If you no longer have access to the old SIM card, you will not be able to log into your account to delete it. In this case, the old profile will remain in the database until it is automatically cleared by the system for inactivity, which may take a long time.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting an account is an irreversible process. You will lose the entire history of tags and settings associated with the old number. It will be impossible to restore them even through support.
Some users prefer not to delete the old account, but simply stop using it. However, if the number is reissued by the telecom operator to a new owner, this person will be able to access your profile if a password is not set.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I have two GetContact accounts on one phone?
Officially, the application does not support multi-accounts in one instance. However, you can use the function Clone applications (Dual Apps), which is available in many Android shells (Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei), to launch a second copy of the app for another number.
Are purchased coins or subscriptions transferred to a new number?
No, virtual currency and Premium status are tied to a specific phone number and device ID. When you change your number, your balance is reset to zero. In some cases, support can help with transferring a subscription, but this is considered on an individual basis.
Why do I receive notifications for the old one after changing the number?
This happens because your friends have not yet updated the information in their phone books. For their apps, you are still associated with the old number. There is only one solution - ask them to resave the contact.
How to hide your tags after changing your number?
Go to the privacy settings of the new account and enable the option to hide tags. You can also remove specific tags, if they are offensive, through the complaint form in your profile card.
What to do if the application writes “The number is already registered” when entering a new one?
This means that this number was previously used in the service. Try logging into your account using this number, restoring access via SMS. If this is another person's number, contact support to unblock the situation.