Deepak Gupta

Someone else is logged in to your WhatsApp

Follow WhatsApp's "How to recover a compromised account" steps: open WhatsApp on your phone, re-register your number, and enter the 6-digit code you get by SMS or call. That logs out every other device. Changing a password will not remove them. Never share that code with anyone.

Do these 3 things now

1Open WhatsApp's recovery steps and re-register your number with the 6-digit code sent to your phone.Read to them:“Open WhatsApp's recovery steps and re-register your number with the 6-digit code sent to your phone.”
2Never share that code, and do not reply to anyone offering to recover your account for you.Read to them:“Never share that code, and do not reply to anyone offering to recover your account for you.”
3Warn your contacts that messages from your number may not be from you.Read to them:“Warn your contacts that messages from your number may not be from you.”

Open WhatsApp's recovery steps

Official link: faq.whatsapp.com

I am helping someone else

Helper mode: each step is written for you to read aloud. Let them tap and type on their own device; never ask them to send you a code. Send them this first.

01Is this you?

WhatsApp says "Your phone number was registered with WhatsApp on a new device".
You were logged out, or friends say you sent messages you did not send.
You got a WhatsApp code you did not ask for, or you shared one with someone.

Not quite? WhatsApp asks for a PIN or password you never set · Your phone was lost or stolen · Your phone shows no service

02Official recovery path

Open WhatsApp on the phone that has your SIM card. If you see "Your phone number was registered with WhatsApp on a new device", tap Log back in > Continue.Read to them:“Open WhatsApp on the phone that has your SIM card. If you see "Your phone number was registered with WhatsApp on a new device", tap Log back in > Continue.”source
If prompted, enter your full international phone number and tap Next > Ok.Read to them:“If prompted, enter your full international phone number and tap Next > Ok.”source
Enter the 6-digit code you receive by SMS or phone call. Everyone else using your account is logged out as soon as you enter it.Read to them:“Enter the 6-digit code you receive by SMS or phone call. Everyone else using your account is logged out as soon as you enter it.”source
If WhatsApp asks for a two-step verification PIN or password you do not know, the other person probably set it. Go to the PIN page for what to do next. They are already logged out.Read to them:“If WhatsApp asks for a two-step verification PIN or password you do not know, the other person probably set it. Go to the PIN page for what to do next. They are already logged out.”source
Turn on two-step verification: tap You > Account > Two-step verification, then toggle on Turn on two-step verification. Create a password and add an email you can access.Read to them:“Turn on two-step verification: tap You > Account > Two-step verification, then toggle on Turn on two-step verification. Create a password and add an email you can access.”iPhonesource
Turn on two-step verification: open Settings > Account > Two-step verification, then toggle on Turn on two-step verification. Create a password and add an email you can access.Read to them:“Turn on two-step verification: open Settings > Account > Two-step verification, then toggle on Turn on two-step verification. Create a password and add an email you can access.”Androidsource
Check Linked Devices. Tap any device you do not recognize, then tap Log Out.Read to them:“Check Linked Devices. Tap any device you do not recognize, then tap Log Out.”source

Did that get you back in?

Yes

Lock it down now. Change the password, turn on two-step, sign out other devices. It takes about 15 minutes.

No

A.No code arriving? Tap Didn't receive a code? and choose SMS or Phone call. Wait for the progress bar to finish before you try again.Read to them:“No code arriving? Tap Didn't receive a code? and choose SMS or Phone call. Wait for the progress bar to finish before you try again.”source
B.If you added and verified an email before, you can get the registration code by email instead.Read to them:“If you added and verified an email before, you can get the registration code by email instead.”source
C.If your phone has no service at all, your number may have been moved to another SIM. Call your carrier first, then come back to these steps.Read to them:“If your phone has no service at all, your number may have been moved to another SIM. Call your carrier first, then come back to these steps.”source
D.Do not report your own account while someone else is using it. WhatsApp says it might ban the account and you could lose it. Recover it first.Read to them:“Do not report your own account while someone else is using it. WhatsApp says it might ban the account and you could lose it. Recover it first.”source

Then: how long it takes

03How long it takes

Published by the platform

Entering the 6-digit code logs the other person out right away. If you are then asked for a two-step verification PIN you do not know, WhatsApp says to wait 7 days and try again.

While you wait

Keep your phone and SIM with you, and keep SMS private.
Send the warning message below to close contacts by another app, SMS, or a call.
Write down when it happened and what you saw, in the incident log.

04Warn your contacts

Send this from another account or by text, so nobody falls for messages sent in your name.

My WhatsApp was taken over. If my number messages you asking for money, a code, or a link, it is not me. Please do not send anything or share any code. I will tell you when I have my account back.

More templates: email, followers, customers

05Watch out for recovery scams

People who just lost an account are the main target of fake helpers. Only WhatsApp's own app or website can restore your account.

Fake "WhatsApp Support" accounts or callers who offer to restore your account. Only use help pages on whatsapp.com. How it works
Paid "account recovery" services and hackers-for-hire in comments and DMs. They cannot do anything you cannot do yourself, and many take money and vanish. How it works
A friend's account asking for a code "sent to you by mistake". That code is your WhatsApp registration code. How it works

All recovery scams and how to spot them

06Once you're back in: lock it down

0 of 9 doneAbout 19 minutes total

Turn on two-step verification with a password and email3 minOn Android, open Settings > Account > Two-step verification. On iPhone, tap You > Account > Two-step verification. Toggle on Turn on two-step verification, create a strong password, then add an email address you can access and tap Next. WhatsApp is replacing the old 6-digit PIN with a password, so set a password if you still have a PIN.source
Add and verify a recovery email2 minOpen Settings > Account > Email address > Add email (on iPhone, start from You). Enter the code WhatsApp sends to your inbox and tap Verify. A verified email lets you get a registration code without SMS. Use an email account that has its own strong protection.source
Create a passkey2 minOpen Settings > Account > Passkeys, then follow the prompts (on Android, tap Create passkey > Continue). A passkey uses your phone's fingerprint, face, or screen lock, so you can verify yourself without an SMS code. You need Android 9 or later with a password manager, or an iPhone 8 or later on iOS 16 or later.source
Log out devices you do not recognize2 minOpen Linked Devices (on iPhone, from Settings or your profile picture; on Android, from the menu). Tap any device you do not recognize, then tap Log Out. Repeat for each one. WhatsApp Web sessions show up here.source
Limit who can add you to groups1 minOpen Settings > Privacy > Groups and choose My contacts or My contacts except.... By default anyone with your number can add you to a group, which is how many scam groups reach people.source
Hide your profile from strangers2 minOpen Settings > Privacy and set Last seen, Profile photo, About, and Status to My contacts or Nobody. Scammers use your photo and name to pose as you. You can also turn on Silence unknown callers under Privacy > Calls.source
Turn on security notifications1 minOpen Settings > Account > Security notifications and turn on the setting to show them on this device. You will see a notice when a contact's security code changes, which happens when they move to a new phone. If that contact then asks you for money or a code, check with them another way first.source
Protect your SIM with your carrier5 minYour WhatsApp account follows your phone number. Ask your carrier for a SIM PIN or a port-out or number-lock protection so no one can move your number to their SIM. See the SIM-swap guide for what to ask for.Unconfirmed, test pending
Never share your WhatsApp code1 minNever share your 6-digit registration code or your password with anyone, not even friends or family. Anyone who asks for it, for any reason, is trying to take your account.source

Then do the 24-hour cleanup.

Free toolExposure CheckSee what of yours is already public.Free toolPassword Breach CheckCheck if a password shows up in known leaks.ReadHow to set up two-factor on all your accounts ReadAccount recovery design is the security ceiling

07How it probably happened

Most likely
You shared a 6-digit code with someone who said it was sent by mistake
How this scam works
Also common
A text or call that tricked you into reading out a code
How this scam works
Less common
Your number was moved to the attacker's SIM
How this scam works

Account taken, recovery details swapped

08Report it

About reporting and blocking on WhatsApp

Lost money, being blackmailed, or someone is using your account to scam others? Report it to your country's cybercrime service too. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.

United States

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Report online crime, including account takeovers that led to money loss or extortion. The IC3 never contacts you first and never asks for money.
FTC ReportFraudReport the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
IdentityTheft.govUse it if someone used your Social Security number or opened accounts in your name. You get a recovery plan.

United Kingdom

Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)Run by the City of London Police. It replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Forward scam texts to 7726Free on most UK networks. Your provider can look into the sender and block it.
Report a scam email to the NCSCForward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk before you delete it.
Report Fraud: 0300 123 2040England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

India

National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalRun by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. Reports go to state and UT police.
Chakshu on Sanchar SaathiReport suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages to the Department of Telecommunications. It is not for money already lost: call 1930 for that.
National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930Toll free, 24 hours. Call fast if money left your account: it can help freeze the transfer.

Canada

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report onlineVictims and witnesses can report fraud or cybercrime online. Also contact your local police as soon as you can.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501Toll free. The CAFC does not contact people to ask for money.

Australia

ReportCyberReport cybercrime to police. Your report may go to your state or territory police or the AFP.
ScamwatchReport a scam, even if you lost no money. The AFP also points people worried about identity theft to IDCARE, a free support service.
ReportCyber phone line: 1300 292 371Report concerns about cybercrime or cyber security incidents. If life is at risk, call 000.

09Questions people ask

Will changing my password get them out?

No. WhatsApp says passwords and two-step verification protect an account you still have. The only way to remove someone is to re-register with the 6-digit code sent to your number.

Can they read my old chats?

WhatsApp says messages are stored on your device and are end-to-end encrypted, so someone who re-registers your account on a new device cannot read your past chats.

Should I report my account to WhatsApp?

Not while you are trying to get it back. WhatsApp says reporting the account might get it banned and you could lose access. Recover it first.

Can WhatsApp tell me who did it?

No. WhatsApp says it cannot share who accessed your account, or when or where.

Can WhatsApp deactivate the account for me?

No. WhatsApp says it cannot deactivate accounts for others, because it cannot verify who owns the number. Re-registering is the way to take it back.

Sources and last check

Last verified: October 16, 2026. Steps checked against the platform's own help pages listed below. Device testing is ongoing; steps marked unconfirmed are still waiting for it.

How to recover a compromised account (read 2026-10-16)
Seeing "Your phone number was registered with WhatsApp on a new device" (read 2026-10-16)
How to register your phone number (read 2026-10-16)
About registration and two-step verification (read 2026-10-16)
How to manage two-step verification settings (read 2026-10-16)
How to check devices linked to your account and unlink a device you don't recognize (read 2026-10-16)
How to recover a WhatsApp account from a lost or stolen device (read 2026-10-16)

Wrong step or changed screen? Report it. Never include passwords or codes.