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How to Change Your WhatsApp Number (and Fix “Can’t Change Number”)

Got a new SIM or number? Use WhatsApp’s Change number feature so your chats, groups and settings move with you. WhatsApp says if you switch numbers without it and lose your old SIM, you’ll permanently lose access to your account. Do it on your main phone, and make a new backup right after.

Reviewed 6 min read 2 fixes Disabled & restricted accounts

Quick answer

WhatsApp says put the new SIM in, then go to Settings > Account > Change number (iPhone: Change Number) > Next, enter your old and new numbers in full international format, choose whether to notify contacts, and tap Done. Then register the new number. Cloud backups made with your old number won’t restore after the change, so back up again afterward.

What do you need?

Does this match what you see?

  • You got a new phone number and want to keep your WhatsApp chats.
  • Change number is grayed out.
  • WhatsApp says your new number is already registered.
  • Your backup won’t restore after changing numbers.

iPhone & iPadAndroid

Based on WhatsApp Help Center “How to change your phone number” (Android, iPhone and Mac tabs), “About changing phone numbers” and “Can’t change phone number” (supplied by the site owner, 2026-10-30).

Why this happens: the possible causes

Why Change number might fail. From WhatsApp’s “Can’t change phone number” page.

Change number problems
ProblemWhat to check
Change number grayed outUse your primary phone, not a linked device
Old number not acceptedIt must be the number currently registered
New number won’t verifyActive SIM, supported number type
“Already registered” on new numberRecycled number
  • You’re on a linked deviceCheck this first

    WhatsApp says Change number is grayed out on linked or companion devices; you can only change it on your primary phone.

Try these 60-second checks first

  • Use your primary phone, not WhatsApp Web or desktop.
  • Make sure the new SIM is active and can receive SMS or calls.

How to fix it, step by step

Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.

Fix 1: Change your number on the same phone

Read first: can remove data5 miniPhone & iPadAndroid

WhatsApp says if you change your number or use a new SIM in your phone, you must use Change number to keep access to your account.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Put the SIM with your new number in your iPhone (WhatsApp says it needs an active cellular connection).
  2. In WhatsApp, tap Settings or your profile picture > Account > Change Number > Next.
  3. Enter your old number in the first field and your new number in the second, both in full international format, then tap Next.
  4. Choose whether to Notify Contacts: All contacts, Contacts I have chats with, or Custom… (select people, then Done).
  5. Tap Done, then register your new number when asked.

Android

  1. Put the SIM with your new number in your phone.
  2. In WhatsApp, tap the menu icon > Settings > Account > Change number > Next.
  3. Enter your old number in the first field and your new number in the second, both in full international format, then tap Next.
  4. Choose whether to Notify contacts: All contacts, Contacts I have chats with, or Custom….
  5. Tap Done, then register your new number when asked.

WhatsApp says your group chats are notified whether or not you choose to notify contacts.

Did it work? Our check: your profile shows the new number (Settings > tap your profile photo).

Fix 2: Change your number and move to a new phone

Read first: can remove data20 miniPhone & iPadAndroid

WhatsApp says backups can only be restored with the phone number used when the backup was made. Our note: that means you need a backup made with your new number.

iPhone & iPad

  1. On your old iPhone, change your number using the steps above.
  2. Still on the old iPhone, create an iCloud or computer backup using your new number.
  3. On your new iPhone, install WhatsApp, register your new number, and restore the backup.

Android

  1. On your old phone, change your number using the steps above.
  2. Still on the old phone, create a Google Account backup using your new number (or transfer your backup manually).
  3. On your new phone, install WhatsApp, register your new number, and restore the backup.

See WhatsApp backup and restore or chat transfer if the restore fails.

Did it work? Our check: your chats appear on the new phone under your new number.

What changes when you switch numbers

WhatsApp says changing your number:

  • Moves your profile photo, username, display name, privacy settings, WhatsApp contacts, individual chats and group chats to the new number.
  • Deletes the account on your old number, so your contacts no longer see your old number.
  • Keeps your blocked contacts blocked, and they aren’t told your new number.
  • Can’t be reverted. If you go back to your original number and want your groups back, ask the group admins to re-invite you.

WhatsApp recommends telling your contacts your new number before you change it, and asking them to save it. If you manage a broadcast list, only people who saved your new number will get your broadcasts.

Dual SIM, eSIM and swapping SIM cards

  • WhatsApp says an account can only be verified with one phone number; you can’t add a second number.
  • WhatsApp is tied to your registered number, not a SIM card or SIM slot. With dual SIM or an eSIM, it uses only the number you verified. An eSIM works the same as a physical SIM.
  • Removing or swapping your SIM doesn’t automatically sign you out, but WhatsApp says you need an active SIM or eSIM with your registered number to keep access. To use a different number, use Change number.
  • Want two accounts on one phone? WhatsApp says its multiple-account feature lets you have two accounts on one mobile device, but the second needs a separate phone number. It isn’t available on the Windows or Mac apps.

Moving to a new phone

WhatsApp says if your number is eligible, you can verify on the new phone without an SMS code: your old phone gets a notification with the 6-digit code to enter. Otherwise you verify by SMS. It also warns that if you frequently switch your account between devices, you may be blocked from re-verifying, so don’t repeatedly switch devices and numbers.

Can’t change your number? What to check

  • Is your old number still registered? WhatsApp says check in Settings > tap your profile photo. If it isn’t, register it first, then try again.
  • Are you on your primary phone? WhatsApp says Change number is grayed out on linked or companion devices, and you can’t change it on WhatsApp Web or desktop.
  • Is the new SIM active? It needs to be working and able to receive SMS or calls.
  • Is it a supported number? WhatsApp says VoIP, toll-free, paid premium, universal access (UAN) and personal numbers aren’t supported, and landlines only work on the WhatsApp Business app.
  • Connection and storage: WhatsApp says you need a strong, stable mobile connection and enough internal storage.
  • Banned? If WhatsApp says “This phone number can’t use WhatsApp”, see WhatsApp account banned.
  • New number already registered? WhatsApp says the previous owner of that number may have used WhatsApp (a recycled number).
  • Registered your new number on another device? WhatsApp says you can transfer your account to the device you want to use.

WhatsApp also says it doesn’t support unofficial clients or jailbroken, rooted or unsupported devices. WhatsApp says if you lost your SIM, get a new SIM with the same number from your provider. See lost or stolen phone.

How to know it worked

  • Our check: Settings shows your new number and you’ve made a fresh backup.

Still not working? Your next steps

  1. New number not getting the verification code? See WhatsApp verification code not received.

Official help routes

SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use two numbers on one WhatsApp account?

No. WhatsApp says an account can only be verified with one registered phone number. With dual SIM or eSIM, it uses only the number you verified.

Do I keep my chats when I change my WhatsApp number?

Yes. WhatsApp says Change number moves your individual and group chats, contacts, profile and privacy settings to the new number.

Does changing my WhatsApp number notify my contacts?

Only if you choose to. WhatsApp says you can notify all contacts, contacts you have chats with, or chosen people, but your group chats are notified either way.

Why is Change number grayed out?

WhatsApp says you can only change your number on your primary phone; the option is grayed out on linked devices like WhatsApp Web or desktop.

Can I restore an old backup after changing my number?

No. WhatsApp says cloud backups made with your old number can no longer be used to restore after you change, so make a new backup.

Can I undo a WhatsApp number change?

No. WhatsApp says there’s no way to revert it. If you go back to your old number, ask group admins to re-invite you to groups.

Sources and how we checked this guide

We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.

  1. About using multiple phone numbers or accounts on WhatsApp (external site, opens in a new tab)WhatsApp Help Center · checked 30 October 2026
  2. How to change your phone number (external site, opens in a new tab)WhatsApp Help Center · checked 30 October 2026
  3. About changing phone numbers (external site, opens in a new tab)WhatsApp Help Center · checked 30 October 2026
  4. Can’t change phone number (external site, opens in a new tab)WhatsApp Help Center · checked 30 October 2026

Last reviewed 30 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 30 April 2027. How we write and review guides.

What changed
  • 30 October 2026: First published.

SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.