Adding a phone number to WhatsApp takes five minutes and requires only your phone and the app itself
WhatsApp links to your phone number, not to an email or username. When you first install the app, it asks for your number and sends you a verification code by text message. If you want to add a different number to the same phone, or use WhatsApp on a second device with a new number, you follow the same process: install the app, enter the number, verify it with the code, and you're done. The number you add becomes your WhatsApp identity — your contacts see it, and it's how people find you in the app.
The process is the same whether you're adding your first number, switching to a new number, or setting up WhatsApp on a new phone. You don't need to contact WhatsApp support or do anything special. The app handles the verification automatically.
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp uses your phone number as your account identifier, so adding a number means installing the app and verifying that number with a text message code.
- You can only use one phone number per device at a time, but you can switch numbers by uninstalling and reinstalling the app with a different number.
- The verification code arrives by text message within seconds, and you enter it directly into the app to confirm the number is yours.
- Your contacts will see your new number once you've verified it, and you'll need to tell them if you've switched numbers so they can update their contacts.
Step-by-step: adding your first number to WhatsApp
read WhatsApp from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Open the app. You'll see a screen asking for your phone number. Tap the country code field and select your country, or type the country code directly. Then enter your phone number without any leading zeros or special characters — just the digits.
Tap Next. WhatsApp sends a verification code to your phone by text message. This usually arrives within seconds. Open the text message, copy the code (usually six digits), and paste it into the app. If the code doesn't arrive within a minute, tap Resend SMS in the app and try again. Some carriers delay text messages; if it still doesn't arrive after a few minutes, tap Call me and WhatsApp will call your number and read the code aloud.
Once you enter the correct code, WhatsApp confirms your number and takes you to the next screen. You'll be asked to enter your name — this is what appears in your profile and what your contacts see. You can use your real name, a nickname, or anything else. Tap Next again, and WhatsApp scans your contacts to see who else uses the app. You're now set up and can start messaging.
Switching to a new phone number on the same device
If you're keeping the same phone but changing your number — because you switched carriers, moved to a new country, or got a new plan — you need to uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it with your new number. Open your phone's Settings, find WhatsApp in your installed apps, and tap Uninstall. Then read WhatsApp again from the App Store or Google Play and follow the same setup steps with your new number.
Your old chats and media are stored on your phone, not on WhatsApp's servers. When you reinstall with a new number, those old conversations are gone from the app — WhatsApp doesn't transfer them. If you want to keep your chat history, back it up before you uninstall. On iPhone, go to WhatsApp Settings, tap Chats, then Chat Backup, and tap Back Up Now. On Android, open WhatsApp Settings, tap Chats, then Chat Backup, and tap Back Up to Google Drive. When you reinstall with your new number and restore from backup, your old chats come back.
Using WhatsApp on a second phone with a different number
WhatsApp only works on one device per number at a time. You can't use the same phone number on two phones simultaneously. If you have two phones and want to use WhatsApp on both, each phone needs its own number. Install WhatsApp on the second phone, verify it with that phone's number, and you'll have two separate WhatsApp accounts.
Your contacts will see both numbers as separate accounts. If you want people to know both numbers belong to you, tell them directly — WhatsApp doesn't link accounts or show that two numbers are the same person. You'll receive messages on whichever phone someone sends to, based on which number they have saved in their contacts.
What happens to your old number if you don't verify it again
If you change your phone number and don't set up WhatsApp on a new device with that old number, your WhatsApp account on that number becomes inactive. Your contacts can still see your old number in their chat history, but they can't message you on it through WhatsApp anymore. After 30 days of inactivity, WhatsApp may delete your account and any associated data.
If you plan to keep using the same number but on a different phone, just install WhatsApp on the new phone and verify with that number. The app works the same way. If you're switching numbers permanently, tell your contacts your new number so they can update it in their phone and in WhatsApp.
Troubleshooting: verification code doesn't arrive
If you don't receive the verification code by text message within a minute, first check that you entered your phone number correctly — including the right country code. Then tap Resend SMS in the app and wait another minute. Some carriers, especially international ones, delay text messages.
If the code still doesn't arrive, tap Call me and WhatsApp will call your number and read the code aloud. You won't hear a voice message — just the six digits spoken clearly. Write them down and enter them into the app. If the call doesn't come through either, check that your phone can receive calls and texts. Try restarting your phone and attempting the verification again. If you're still stuck after that, uninstall WhatsApp, restart your phone, and reinstall the app to start fresh.
What information WhatsApp stores when you add a number
When you add a number to WhatsApp, the app stores that number on WhatsApp's servers along with a verification that you own it. WhatsApp also stores your profile name, your profile photo if you add one, and a record of your contacts who also use WhatsApp. Your actual messages are encrypted end-to-end, meaning WhatsApp's servers don't store the content of what you send — only that the conversation happened.
Your phone number is visible to anyone you message or who has your number saved in their phone. You can control who sees your profile photo and status updates through WhatsApp Settings under Privacy. You can set these to Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody. Your phone number itself is always visible to people you're in contact with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WhatsApp without adding a phone number?
No. WhatsApp requires a phone number to create an account and verify your identity. You can't use an email address, username, or any other identifier instead. The phone number is how WhatsApp links your account to your device and how your contacts find you.
What if I add the wrong number by mistake?
If you realize you entered the wrong number before you verify it, just uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it, then enter the correct number. If you've already verified the wrong number, uninstall the app, reinstall it, and go through setup again with the correct number. Your old account becomes inactive after 30 days.
Can I add a landline or business number to WhatsApp?
WhatsApp requires a mobile phone number that can receive text messages. Landlines and most business phone systems can't receive SMS, so they won't work. You need a mobile number with an active SIM card or a virtual mobile number from a service like Google Voice that can receive text messages.
Do my contacts automatically know my new number if I switch?
No. When you switch to a new number and set up WhatsApp with it, your old contacts don't automatically get notified. You need to tell them your new number directly — by text, email, or phone call — so they can save it in their contacts and find you on WhatsApp. If they don't update your number, they'll still be messaging your old WhatsApp account.
What happens to my chat history when I add a new number?
If you're adding a number to the same phone for the first time, your chat history stays on the phone. If you're switching numbers on the same phone, your old chats are deleted unless you back them up first. If you're using a completely new phone, you have no chat history unless you restore from a backup you made on your old phone.