Facebook-owned popular instant messaging WhatsApp has been around for quite a while now, and in spite of that, not a lot of people know some of its hidden bells and whistles. We regularly receive queries from our readers what procedure they should follow in order to start using an old WhatsApp account on a new phone. Many of them wonder whether it’s possible in the first place? So we’d like to respond with a simple answer: yes, it’s absolutely possible. WhatsApp users can easily switch to a new phone using existing account/mobile number by means of its ‘Change Number’ feature. If you want to change a number on WhatsApp, you’ll need to follow all the steps mentioned below. But before proceeding further, it should be worth noted that changing your phone number will migrate your account info, groups, and settings.
Note: Make sure that you are able to receive SMS or calls on your new mobile number. In case you have both a new phone and a new number, you should first change your number on your old phone in order to avoid a start-over.
How to use old WhatsApp on your new phone
If you want to transfer your chat history to a new phone, first create a backup on your old phone by navigating to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Backup. Now install WhatsApp on a new phone and set up your existing account by following on-screen instructions. Restore the backup and you’re done.
And it’s easy to do. Read on to see how.
Step 1: Tell your friends
First things first – tell your WhatsApp contacts your new number. Once they’ve saved it in their phones’ address books, you should have a seamless transition.
Step 2: Check your new number is active
Make sure your new phone number can receive SMS (i.e. text messages) and calls, and has an active data connection. To do so, try calling someone, ask them to send you a text, and try browsing the web without a wi-fi connection.
Step 3: Check your old number
First things first, make sure to have an access to your old / existing phone. Open WhatsApp and navigate to menu option. Then navigate to Settings and Account. You’ll find an option to change the number. Enter your old / existing phone number in the old phone number field. Enter your new phone number in the next field.
Once you’ve switched to a new phone or number altogether, all your account information will migrate from your old phone number to your new phone number. It’ll also delete the account associated with your old phone.
Your old number will have to be verified in WhatsApp on your phone. To check it is, go to WhatsApp > Menu Button > Settings and tap your profile photo.
Step 4: Tell WhatsApp your new number
Now it’s time to tell WhatsApp your new number. With your new SIM in your phone, go to WhatsApp > Menu Button > Settings > Account > Change number. Enter your old number in the top box, and your new number in the bottom box. Tap Done. You will now be prompted to verify your new number.
You’ll still be able to access your chat history, as long as you keep the same phone. If you’re changing phone, but not your number, you’ll need to backup your old chats and restore them on your new handset. You can find out how to do so here for iOS devices, and here for Android.
And that’s it. Happy messaging!