How to Change WhatsApp Number without losing your Contacts or Chats

David Adubiina -

New number, who dis? That’s the panic message many fear when switching phone numbers on WhatsApp. With how rampant unknown number scams are, it’s no surprise that people hesitate to make a change, fearing they’ll be mistaken for a fraudster or lose their important connections.

Normally, one would believe that the moment you lose your phone or get a new number, that is the end of the road for your WhatsApp chats, contacts, and groups—like a digital reset button you never wanted to press.

To give you a clearer picture, my old phone had screen problems, leaving me with no choice but to get a new one. And there I was, thinking I’d have to bid farewell to all my past conversations.

Fortunately for me, I was able to transfer my WhatsApp account seamlessly without losing my contacts and chats. If you’re curious about how you can do it too, here’s how!

Steps to Change WhatsApp Number without losing your Contact or Chats

Step 1. First things first, launch WhatsApp on your mobile device. Tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner (Android) or head straight to Settings if you're using an iPhone.

Step 2. From the menu, select "Settings"

Step 3. Tap on "Account"

Step 4. Choose "Change Number", then tap "Next" to continue.

Step 5. On the Change Number page, you’ll see a prompt to enter your old and new numbers. Your old number is usually detected automatically; if not, type it in manually. Then, enter your new number in international format (country code included) and tap "Next."

Step 6. You can choose to notify your contacts by toggling on "Notify contacts." After that, click "Done" to finalize the process.

Conclusion

Changing your WhatsApp number can feel like moving to a new city without telling anyone. But now, thanks to WhatsApp’s Change Number feature, you can switch numbers easily while keeping all your messages, contacts, and group memberships intact.

So, the next time you upgrade your number, no need to panic—just follow these steps, and you’ll be up and running in minutes.

Image credit: David Adubiina/Techloy.com