To recover a hacked WhatsApp account, re-register the same phone number in WhatsApp using the six-digit code sent by SMS or phone call. Entering that code logs out other devices using your account. If you no longer have access to the number or SIM, contact your mobile carrier first to restore the same number; WhatsApp says you cannot recover the account without access to its associated SIM.
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 full phone number in international format.
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Enter the six-digit registration code WhatsApp sends by SMS or phone call. This logs out other devices signed into your account.
Never share the registration code with anyone, including friends or family. If someone has registered your number on another phone, WhatsApp’s recovery guidance is to re-register the number this way. WhatsApp Help Center: How to recover a compromised account.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
- 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.
If you do not have access to your SIM or phone number
Contact your mobile carrier promptly and ask it to block a lost or stolen SIM and issue a replacement SIM with the same phone number. Activate that SIM, then complete the re-registration steps above. WhatsApp says it cannot recover the account without access to the SIM associated with the number, locate the phone, or remotely deactivate the account from another device. See WhatsApp Help Center’s compromised-account guidance and lost or stolen phones guidance.
If WhatsApp asks for a two-step verification PIN you do not know
WhatsApp says someone else using the account may, in rare cases, have enabled two-step verification. Its stated guidance is to wait 7 days and try again. Entering the six-digit SMS code logs the other user out whether or not you know the PIN. The wait is WhatsApp’s general guidance; an account’s specific verification flow may vary. Changing a password alone does not remove an intruder.
Rank #2
- 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
Secure the account after you regain access
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Tell friends and family the account was compromised so they can ignore unusual messages or requests. An intruder may impersonate you in chats or groups.
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Review WhatsApp’s linked devices and log out any device you do not recognize.
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Yubico - Security Key NFC - Basic Compatibility - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Key, Connect via USB-A or NFC, FIDO Certified- 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.
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Turn on two-step verification and keep its PIN and your registration code private. WhatsApp recommends two-step verification as an additional check when someone tries to register your number. See its compromised-account guidance and two-step verification guidance.
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Use only the official WhatsApp app.
What happens to your chats and backups?
Getting the account back and restoring chat history are separate. WhatsApp says messages are stored on the device; re-registering on a new device does not make prior conversations readable there. If you had a Google Account or iCloud backup, you may be able to restore chat history from it, but re-registration itself does not recover messages. See WhatsApp Help Center’s compromised-account guidance and lost or stolen phones guidance.
Rank #4
- 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
If you changed your phone number
If you still have access to the old WhatsApp account, use WhatsApp’s Change Number feature to move your account information to the new number. Otherwise, you may eventually lose access to the account associated with the old number. See WhatsApp Help Center’s compromised-account guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to contact WhatsApp
Try re-registering before reporting the account as compromised. WhatsApp warns that reporting it before recovery could result in 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 number. WhatsApp says it cannot provide who accessed an account or the time and location of access, so those details may not be available to you. See its compromised-account guidance and lost or stolen phones guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
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