Quick answer
Open WhatsApp, tap Log back in > Continue, enter your phone number if asked, and enter the 6-digit code you get by SMS or phone call. WhatsApp says this logs out anyone using your account. If you’re asked for a two-step verification PIN you don’t know, someone else may have set it; WhatsApp says to wait 7 days and try again. Tell your friends and family, because the other person could pretend to be you. Don’t report the account you’re trying to recover: WhatsApp says it might be banned.
Does this match what you see?
- You were logged out of WhatsApp unexpectedly.
- Friends say they got strange messages from you.
- WhatsApp asks for a two-step verification PIN you didn’t set.
- You got a notification that someone tried to register your number.
iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on WhatsApp Help “How to recover a compromised account” and “About two-step verification” (supplied by the site owner).
Why this happens: the possible causes
What WhatsApp says about takeovers and losing access (how common each is, is our estimate).
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Someone is using your account | Re-register with your code |
| Unknown two-step PIN | Wait 7 days |
| New SIM, old number | Change number |
- Someone got your 6-digit codeCheck this first
Our view: the most common way in is tricking you into sharing it. WhatsApp says never to share it, even with friends or family.
- They turned on two-step verificationLess likely
WhatsApp says in rare cases someone using your account might have enabled two-step verification.
- You switched SIMs without using Change numberLess likely
WhatsApp says if you start using a new SIM without using Change number, you could permanently lose access.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Make sure the SIM card for your WhatsApp number is in your phone. WhatsApp says you can’t recover an account without it.
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: Re-register your account to log them out
WhatsApp says re-registering with the 6-digit code is the only way to remove someone who has taken over your account.
- Open WhatsApp and tap Log back in > Continue.
- If asked, enter your phone number in full international format and tap Next > Ok.
- Enter the 6-digit code you receive by SMS or phone call.
WhatsApp says all devices logged into your account are then logged out automatically. Code not arriving? See WhatsApp verification code not received.
Did it work? The other person has been logged out. If you were asked for a PIN you don’t know, you may need to wait 7 days before you can log back in.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Asked for a two-step verification PIN you don’t know
WhatsApp says that in rare cases, someone else using your account might have turned on two-step verification. If you don’t have the PIN, wait 7 days and try again. It also says that whether you know the PIN or not, anyone using your account is logged out once you enter the 6-digit SMS code.
If you set the PIN yourself and forgot it, see forgot your two-step verification password.
Warn your friends and family
WhatsApp says the other person could pretend to be you in chats and groups, so tell your family and friends. It also says it will notify you when someone tries to register an account with your number.
Once you’re back in
- WhatsApp recommends turning on its security features. Two-step verification is optional and adds a second check (your phone number, a password or an email address) to protect against unauthorized access. A passkey lets you log in faster with your fingerprint, face or screen lock when two-step verification is on.
- Review the devices linked to your account (WhatsApp Web, Desktop, tablets or companion phones). On Android: menu > Linked devices > tap a device > Log out. On iPhone: Settings or your profile picture > Linked devices > tap a device > Log out > Log out.
- You can block or report contacts yourself. WhatsApp says it can’t block or unblock contacts on your behalf.
- Trusted devices: with two-step verification on, check Two-step verification > Trusted devices (Android: menu > Settings > Account; iPhone: profile picture > Account). Tap any device you don’t recognize and tap Remove device. WhatsApp says trusted devices are different from linked devices such as WhatsApp Web.
Can they read my old messages?
WhatsApp says messages are end-to-end encrypted and stored on your device, so someone re-registering your account on a new device can’t read your past conversations. It also says it can’t tell you who accessed your account, or when or where.
If you lost your chats, WhatsApp says you might be able to restore them from a Google Account or iCloud backup.
You changed SIM cards
WhatsApp says an account can only be registered to one phone number at a time, and you can’t recover it without a SIM card with the same number. If you started using a new SIM but still use the WhatsApp account on your old number, use WhatsApp’s Change number feature to move it. WhatsApp says if you don’t, you could permanently lose access.
How to know it worked
- You’re logged in with your own number, your contacts know what happened, and security features are on.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Number banned? See WhatsApp account banned.
- Can’t get a 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
How do I get someone out of my WhatsApp account?
WhatsApp says the only way is to re-register your account with the 6-digit code sent to your phone number. Anyone else using it is then logged out automatically.
Will changing my password remove a hacker from WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp says changing your password won’t remove someone else; passwords and two-step verification protect an account you still have access to.
What if the hacker set a two-step PIN?
WhatsApp says to wait 7 days and try again. Anyone using your account is logged out once you enter the 6-digit SMS code, whether you know the PIN or not.
Can a hacker read my old WhatsApp messages?
WhatsApp says messages are end-to-end encrypted and stored on your device, so someone re-registering your account on a new device can’t read your past conversations.
Should I report my hacked WhatsApp account?
Not before recovering it. WhatsApp says reporting the account you’re trying to recover might get it banned.
Can WhatsApp tell me who hacked my account?
No. WhatsApp says it can’t provide information about who accessed your account, or when or where.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
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.
- How to recover a compromised account (external site, opens in a new tab)
- About two-step verification (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to unlink a device (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 28 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 28 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.