How To Transfer WhatsApp Chats, Images And Videos To A New Number Without Losing Data
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Switching to a new phone number can feel overwhelming, especially when you're worried about losing precious WhatsApp messages, shared photos, documents, or videos. Thankfully, WhatsApp offers a built-in feature that lets you change your number while keeping your chat history, account info, and group memberships intact.
If you're changing your number and want to retain everything without manually backing up and restoring chats, follow this step-by-step guide to shift your data smoothly.
How to Change Your Phone Number on WhatsApp
Note: This works best when you're using the same phone. If you're changing both phone and number, you'll need to take a backup first (steps below).
Steps:
If You're Switching Devices Too: How to Create a Local Backup
Restore WhatsApp Backup on New Phone
With these simple steps, you can switch to a new phone number without losing your WhatsApp data. Whether you're upgrading your SIM, changing devices, or both—WhatsApp ensures your conversations stay intact.
If you're changing your number and want to retain everything without manually backing up and restoring chats, follow this step-by-step guide to shift your data smoothly.
How to Change Your Phone Number on WhatsApp
Note: This works best when you're using the same phone. If you're changing both phone and number, you'll need to take a backup first (steps below).
Steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your current device.
- Go to Settings (tap three dots on Android, bottom-right on iPhone).
- Tap Account > Change Number.
- WhatsApp will notify you that your chats, groups, and settings will migrate.
- Tap Next, then enter both your old and new phone numbers.
- Choose who you want to inform about the number change:
- All Contacts
- Contacts I have chats with
- Custom (select specific people)
- Tap Done to begin the process.
If You're Switching Devices Too: How to Create a Local Backup
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Choose a backup frequency (daily, weekly, or manual).
- Decide whether to include videos (note: this increases backup size).
- Tap Back Up to save your data locally.
Restore WhatsApp Backup on New Phone
- Install WhatsApp on your new device.
- Register your new number during setup.
- Tap Restore when prompted – your chat history, images and videos will return.
- Alternatively, restore with your old number first and update to your new number using the “Change Number” feature post-setup.
With these simple steps, you can switch to a new phone number without losing your WhatsApp data. Whether you're upgrading your SIM, changing devices, or both—WhatsApp ensures your conversations stay intact.
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