How to Change WhatsApp Number Without Losing Chats in 2026

Changing your phone number can be stressful if you have years of important WhatsApp conversations, groups, contacts, photos, and other information. Fortunately, WhatsApp has a built-in Change Number feature that allows you to move your WhatsApp account to a new phone number while keeping your account information and chats.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to change WhatsApp number without losing chats in 2026.

Watch the Video Tutorial

If you prefer a visual step-by-step guide, watch our complete tutorial:

Watch the WhatsApp number change tutorial on YouTube

Can You Change Your WhatsApp Number Without Losing Chats?

Yes. WhatsApp’s official Change Number feature is designed to transfer your WhatsApp account information from your old number to your new number.

According to WhatsApp, changing your number transfers information such as your profile photo, username, display name, privacy settings, WhatsApp contacts, individual chats, and group chats to your new number.

However, you need to follow the correct process. Simply registering a new number on another phone is not the same as using WhatsApp’s Change Number feature.

What You Need Before Changing Your Number

Before you start, make sure:

Your old phone number is currently registered with WhatsApp.
Your new phone number can receive SMS messages or phone calls.
Your new SIM/mobile connection is active.
You can access your WhatsApp account on your current phone.

WhatsApp recommends making sure the new number can receive the verification code before starting the process.

How to Change WhatsApp Number Without Losing Chats

Follow these steps.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp

Open WhatsApp on your primary phone where your existing account and chats are available.

Step 2: Go to Settings

Open WhatsApp Settings.

On Android, you can access Settings from the three-dot menu. On iPhone, tap the Settings option.

Step 3: Select Account

Go to:

Settings → Account → Change Number

Then tap Next.

WhatsApp’s official instructions confirm that the number change needs to be performed on your primary device, not WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop.

Step 4: Enter Your Old and New Numbers

Enter your existing WhatsApp number in the first field.

Then enter your new phone number in the second field.

Make sure both numbers are entered using the correct international format.

Step 5: Choose Whether to Notify Your Contacts

WhatsApp gives you an option to notify your contacts about your new number.

You can choose from options such as:

All contacts
Contacts you have chats with
Custom contacts

Your group chats are automatically notified when you change your number, even if you don’t enable the contact notification option.

Step 6: Verify Your New Number

Tap Next and follow the instructions to register and verify your new phone number.

Once verification is completed, WhatsApp transfers your account information to the new number.

What Happens to Your WhatsApp Chats?

When you use the official Change Number feature correctly, WhatsApp transfers your individual and group chats along with other account information.

Your profile information and settings are also transferred to the new number.

This is why you should use Change Number instead of simply creating a new WhatsApp account with your new number.

What If You Are Also Changing Your Phone?

If you’re changing both your phone number and your phone, there is an important extra step.

WhatsApp recommends changing the number on your old phone first. After changing the number, create a new backup using the new number and then set up WhatsApp on your new phone.

WhatsApp specifically warns that if you register the new number on a new phone without first completing the number-change process, you can lose access to your previous chat history.

For more information about moving WhatsApp to a new device, see our related guides and WhatsApp’s official Help Center.

Important: Create a New Backup

After changing your WhatsApp number, it is recommended that you create a new chat backup.

WhatsApp explains that cloud backups are linked to the phone number used when the backup was created. Therefore, creating a new backup after changing your number helps ensure you have a valid backup associated with the new number.

Can You Change Your Number from WhatsApp Web?

No. WhatsApp currently requires you to change your phone number from your primary mobile device.

You cannot perform the number-change process directly through WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop.

Final Thoughts

If you’re worried about losing your WhatsApp conversations after getting a new phone number, don’t simply register a new WhatsApp account.

Instead, use WhatsApp’s built-in Change Number feature. It allows you to transfer your account information, individual chats, group chats, contacts, and settings to your new number.

If you’re also moving to a new phone, remember to change the number on your old phone first and create a new backup before setting up WhatsApp on the new device.

For another WhatsApp tutorial, check out our guide on how to create a WhatsApp Channel in 2026. You can also visit the Sajidz Tech homepage for more technology tutorials and practical guides.