Summary
This help article guides you through the process of deleting your existing WhatsApp account, which is a necessary step to apply for WhatsApp API Verification using a phone number that's already registered on WhatsApp.
Instructions
WhatsApp API Verification is a process that requires a phone number that isn't associated with any WhatsApp account. If you want to use a number that's already registered on WhatsApp, you'll need to delete the existing account first. We'll walk you through the process of deleting your WhatsApp account and preparing your phone number for WhatsApp Business API registration.
Understanding the Requirements
Before we dive into the steps, it's essential to understand the requirements:
You can use a phone number that's already registered on the Android, iPhone, or Business application versions of WhatsApp.
However, once a phone number is registered on the WhatsApp Business API, it can't be used for WhatsApp Business or the WhatsApp consumer app.
A phone number can be upgraded to the WhatsApp Business API, but not downgraded.
How to Delete Your WhatsApp Account
To delete your WhatsApp account, follow these steps:
Open WhatsApp on your device.
Tap More options > Settings > Account > Delete my account.
Enter your phone number in full international format and tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT.
Select a reason for deleting your account from the dropdown menu.
Tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT.
What Happens When You Delete Your Account
Deleting your WhatsApp account will have the following consequences:
Your account will be deleted from WhatsApp.
Your message history will be erased.
You'll be removed from all your WhatsApp groups.
Your backup will be deleted.
The QR code of your old WhatsApp account will be disabled.
Important Notes
Please note that:
The WhatsApp Chat Backup Plugin has been deprecated since May 20, 2024, and is no longer supported.
You can find more information about WhatsApp's official documentation and policies on their website: Learn more at WhatsApp Official Documents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Information
What is WhatsApp API Verification? WhatsApp API Verification is a process that allows businesses to use WhatsApp for communication through the WhatsApp Business API. It requires a phone number that is not associated with any existing WhatsApp account.
Why do I need to delete my existing WhatsApp account for API Verification? If the phone number you want to use for the WhatsApp Business API is already registered on WhatsApp (consumer or Business app), you must delete the existing account to free up the number for API registration.
Can I use the same phone number for WhatsApp Business API and the regular WhatsApp app? No, once a phone number is registered for the WhatsApp Business API, it cannot be used for the regular WhatsApp consumer app or WhatsApp Business app.
Deleting Your WhatsApp Account
How do I delete my WhatsApp account? To delete your WhatsApp account:
Open WhatsApp on your device.
Go to More options > Settings > Account > Delete my account.
Enter your phone number in full international format and tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT.
Select a reason for deletion and confirm by tapping DELETE MY ACCOUNT again.
What happens when I delete my WhatsApp account? Deleting your WhatsApp account will:
Remove your account from WhatsApp.
Erase your message history.
Remove you from all WhatsApp groups.
Delete your backup.
Disable the QR code associated with your old account.
Can I recover my WhatsApp account after deleting it? No, once you delete your WhatsApp account, it cannot be recovered. You will need to create a new account if you wish to use WhatsApp again.
Upgrading to WhatsApp Business API
Can I upgrade my existing WhatsApp Business account to the WhatsApp Business API? Yes, you can upgrade your existing WhatsApp Business account to the WhatsApp Business API. However, once upgraded, the number cannot be downgraded back to the regular WhatsApp Business app or consumer app.
What should I do if I want to use my current WhatsApp number for the API? You must delete your existing WhatsApp account associated with that number. After deletion, you can register the number for the WhatsApp Business API.