About changing phones

Android
iOS
You can switch to a new phone and transfer your WhatsApp account. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of moving your WhatsApp account to a new phone.
You can either move to the same type of phone, such as Android to Android, or move to a different type of phone, such as iPhone to Android.
Sometimes, we may need to ensure your account is secure. In these cases, you’ll need to wait to receive your verification code. We can’t speed up this wait time.
Note: You might get a notification on your old phone to confirm that it’s you trying to change devices. In this case, confirm you’re moving WhatsApp to your new phone.

Move to the same type of phone

There are two ways to transfer an account from Android to Android - Google Account backups and chat transfer.
If you're moving from one Android device to another, the process is quite simple. Before you start transferring your WhatsApp account to a new phone, it's crucial to back up your chat history.
This help will ensure that you don't lose any important conversations or media files during the transition. Make sure to follow the steps outlined in this articleto ensure your chat history is safely backed up.
Once your chat history is backed up, learn how to restore it. Or, if you’re moving from Android to Android, you can also transfer your chat history.

Move to a different type of phone

If you're switching from an iPhone to an Android device or vice versa, you can keep your account information, including your profile photo, about, individual chats, group chats, and settings.
You can transfer chat history from an iPhone to an Android device or from an Android device to an iPhone.
Learn more about moving from an iPhone to an Android device, or how to move from an Android device to an iPhone.

Keep your phone number

To keep your phone number when changing phones, download WhatsApp on your new phone to re-register your phone number. When you re-register on a new phone, you will be logged out on your old phone once re-registration is complete.
Note: If two-step verification is activated, you’ll receive a prompt to enter the PIN created when you set up 2FA verification. Your PIN is different from your 6-digit registration code.

Receive code on an old device

When you get a new phone, you can switch your WhatsApp account onto your new phone without receiving an SMS code.
If your phone number is eligible, you can verify it using your old device. WhatsApp will send a push notification to the old device with a 6-digit code you can enter in your new device.
If you don’t choose this option, you’ll need to verify your phone number via SMS.
  1. Open WhatsApp on your new Android. Choose your language, then tap the green arrow button.
  2. On the Welcome screen, tap Agree and continue to accept the Terms of Service. Then, enter your phone number and tap Next. Confirm you’ve entered the correct phone number, tap OK.
  3. Check your old phone for the 6-digit code. Enter this 6-digit code on your new phone and tap OK. Note: If you're having trouble receiving the code on your old phone, you can choose to receive it via call, or in an SMS. Make sure to tap Need help getting a code? to choose an option.

Change to a new phone number

If you’re changing phone numbers and want to keep your chat history, you must first change numbers on your old device. If you register with a new number on a new phone without completing this step, you’ll lose your chat history.
To change to a new phone number without keeping your chat history, download WhatsApp on your new phone. Then, register your new phone number.
Then, delete the WhatsApp account associated with your old phone number.
If you forgot to delete your account associated with your old phone number and don't have access to your old phone, all of your account information tied to that phone number will be deleted.
This will happen if the new owner of your old phone number activates WhatsApp on a new phone after 45 days of inactivity.
Note: If you give away or return your old phone to your mobile provider, you should wipe all your data beforehand. This includes the SD card, if applicable. This ensures none of your private data, such as your WhatsApp chat history, will fall into someone else's hands.

Troubleshooting common issues with changing phones

If you're having trouble receiving verification codes or logging in on your new phone, try the following:
  • Make sure you're entering the correct phone number and verification code.
  • Restart your phone and try again.
  • Check your phone's settings to ensure that WhatsApp is allowed to send you notifications.

What to do if your phone is lost or stolen

If your old phone is lost or stolen, follow the steps in this article.
By following these steps, you should be able to recover your WhatsApp account. Remember to always back up your chat history and take steps to protect your account if your old phone is lost or stolen.

Related resources

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