If someone else has taken over your WhatsApp account, re-register the same phone number in WhatsApp using the six-digit code sent by SMS or phone call. WhatsApp says this logs out other devices signed in to your account. If you can’t receive a code because you’ve lost access to your SIM or number, contact your mobile carrier first to restore that same number.
Re-register your phone number to take back the account
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Open WhatsApp and tap Log back in > Continue. If prompted, enter your phone number in full international format, including the country code.
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Enter the six-digit registration code WhatsApp sends by SMS or phone call. Do not share this code with anyone, even if they claim to be a friend or family member.
WhatsApp says that entering the six-digit code automatically logs out all other devices signed in to your account. If you received a warning that your number was registered on a new device, use the same re-registration steps.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
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If WhatsApp asks for a two-step verification PIN you don’t know
WhatsApp’s guidance is to wait 7 days and then try again if you don’t know the PIN. In rare cases, someone else using the account may have enabled two-step verification. WhatsApp says the other user is logged out when you enter your six-digit SMS code, whether or not you know the PIN. This is its stated guidance; the exact recovery flow can depend on the account.
Changing a password does not, by itself, log out an intruder. Keep both your registration code and any two-step verification PIN or password private.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
If you can’t access your SIM or phone number
You need access to the SIM associated with the account’s number to re-register. If your phone or SIM was lost or stolen, contact your mobile carrier promptly and ask it to block the SIM and issue a replacement SIM with the same phone number. Activate that SIM, then complete the re-registration steps above. WhatsApp says re-registering logs out the lost or stolen device.
WhatsApp cannot locate your phone or remotely deactivate the account through another device. If you changed numbers but still have access to your old WhatsApp account, use WhatsApp’s Change Number feature to move your account information; otherwise, you may eventually lose access to the account tied to the old number.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Secure the account and warn your contacts
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Tell friends and family. Let them know the account was compromised and ask them to ignore unusual messages or requests. An intruder may impersonate you in chats or groups.
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Check linked devices. In WhatsApp, review the linked devices list and log out any device you don’t recognize.
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Yubico - YubiKey 5 NFC - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey, Connect via USB-A or NFC, FIDO Certified - Protect Your Online Accounts- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
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Enable two-step verification. Add this extra check for future registrations, and keep its PIN private.
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Use the official WhatsApp app. Avoid unofficial versions and never give anyone a registration code.
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Yubico - YubiKey 5Ci - Multi-Factor authentication (MFA) Security Key and passkey for iPhone/Android/PC, Dual connectors for Lighting/USB-C, FIDO Certified- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 is a versatile physical passkey that protects your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Try recovering the account before reporting it as compromised. WhatsApp warns that reporting first could lead to a ban and loss of access or data. It also says it cannot deactivate someone else’s account on your behalf because it cannot verify ownership of the phone number.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens to your old chats?
Regaining account access and restoring chat history are separate. WhatsApp says messages are stored on the device; re-registering on a new device does not let you read previous conversations there. If you had a Google Account or iCloud backup, you may be able to restore your chat history from it. Re-registering alone does not recover past messages.
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