Use WhatsApp's own Change number option. It moves your chats, groups and settings to the new number. Do not just delete WhatsApp and register again with the new SIM, or your chats may not come along.
Before you start
- Put the new SIM in your phone (or keep it in another phone) and make sure it can receive SMS or calls.
- Your old number must still be registered on WhatsApp in this phone. You do not need the old SIM itself.
- Do it on your main phone. It cannot be done from WhatsApp Web or a linked device.
- Getting a new phone too? Change the number on the old phone first, then move WhatsApp to the new phone (how to move chats).
On Android
- Tap ⋮ › Settings › Account › Change number › Next.
- Type your old number in the first box and the new number in the second, both with the country code.
- Tap Next.
- Choose who to tell: All contacts, Contacts I have chats with or Custom.... Groups you are in are always told.
- Tap Done, then enter the 6-digit code sent to the new number.
On iPhone
- Tap Settings › Account › Change Number › Next.
- Enter the old and new numbers, tap Next.
- Choose whether to notify contacts, tap Done.
- Enter the code sent to the new number.
What happens
- Your chats, groups, photo, name and settings move to the new number. Blocked contacts stay blocked.
- Your old number's account is removed, so people messaging the old number will not reach you.
- Make a fresh backup right after the change (Settings › Chats › Chat backup), so your saved copy belongs to the new number.
If it doesn't work
- Change number is greyed out: you are on a linked device or a tablet. Use your main phone.
- New number already on WhatsApp: the number may have belonged to someone else before. Go ahead: the old account on that number is replaced. If the number is yours on another phone, delete that account first.
- Code not coming to the new number: see code not received.
Safety tip
Telcos give old, unused numbers to new people. When you stop using a number, change it in WhatsApp (and your bank and UPI apps) so the next owner cannot see your messages.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
Still stuck?
Contact support. Tell us which tool or page you were using, what you tapped, what you saw, and your phone or computer and browser (for example: Android phone, Chrome). We reply by email.
Questions, or an error not listed here?
Tell us in the comments: what you were doing, the exact message you saw, and your device and browser. We read every comment and add new fixes to this article.