Expanding your social and professional connections globally is easier than ever with the advent of WhatsApp, the ubiquitous messaging platform. One of its most useful features is the ability to add international numbers and connect with people across borders without incurring exorbitant international calling fees. Whether you need to stay in touch with family and friends abroad, collaborate with colleagues in different countries, or reach out to potential customers in new markets, adding international numbers to WhatsApp is a valuable tool.
Adding international numbers to WhatsApp is a straightforward process. However, understanding some nuances and best practices can help ensure a seamless experience. This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on adding international numbers to WhatsApp while highlighting the key points to consider. By following these instructions carefully, you can quickly and easily expand your WhatsApp network and communicate with people worldwide without hassle.
First and foremost, to add an international number to WhatsApp, you need to ensure that it is in the correct format. International phone numbers follow a specific format that includes a country code, an area code, and the actual phone number. To find the country code, you can refer to online resources or the official website of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Once you have the country code, you should remove the leading zero (if any) from the area code and the phone number. For instance, if you want to add a phone number from the United Kingdom, the country code would be +44, and the number would be formatted as +44 1234567890. Note that the plus sign (+) is essential to indicate an international number.
Installing WhatsApp
To add an international number to WhatsApp, you must first ensure you have the application installed on your device. If you do not, you can download it from the official WhatsApp website or through your device’s app store. The installation process is generally straightforward and involves the following steps:
1. Download the WhatsApp Application
Begin by visiting the WhatsApp website or opening your device’s app store. In the search bar, type “WhatsApp” and select the official app from the results. Click on the “Download” or “Get” button to initiate the installation process. Depending on your device and internet connection, the download may take a few minutes to complete.
Once the download is finished, proceed to the installation phase. For Android devices, tap on the downloaded APK file and follow the on-screen prompts to install the app. For iOS devices, the installation will commence automatically after the download is complete.
During the installation, you may be prompted to grant certain permissions to WhatsApp. These permissions are typically related to accessing your contacts, camera, and microphone, which are necessary for the app’s core functionality.
After the installation is complete, you can proceed to create a WhatsApp account and add international numbers to your contact list.
Opening the WhatsApp Application
To add an international number to WhatsApp, you will need to first open the application on your device.
Here is how to open WhatsApp:
- Locate the WhatsApp icon on your device’s home screen or app drawer.
- Tap on the WhatsApp icon to launch the application.
- If WhatsApp is not already installed on your device, you will need to download and install it from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Contact Information and Settings
Once you have opened the WhatsApp application, you will need to navigate to the ‘Contacts’ tab.
Here is how to access the ‘Contacts’ tab:
- Tap on the ‘Chats’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on the ‘Contacts’ tab at the top of the screen.
From the ‘Contacts’ tab, you can add a new contact by tapping on the ‘New Contact’ button.
When adding a new contact, you will need to enter the following information:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The name of the contact. |
| Phone Number | The phone number of the contact, including the country code. |
| Email Address | The email address of the contact (optional). |
Once you have entered all of the required information, tap on the ‘Save’ button to add the new contact to your WhatsApp account.
Accessing the Settings Menu
Step 1: Open WhatsApp
Launch the WhatsApp application on your mobile device. Ensure that you have an active internet connection, either via Wi-Fi or your mobile carrier.
Step 2: Navigate to the Settings Tab
Locate the “Settings” tab in the bottom right corner of the main WhatsApp screen. Alternatively, you can access it by tapping the three vertical dots icon in the top right corner and selecting “Settings.”
Step 3: Changing the Country Code
Once you are in the Settings menu, select the “Account” tab. Under the “Account” section, you will find the “Country Code” option. By default, WhatsApp sets the country code based on your current location. However, you can manually change the country code by following these steps:
| Platform | Instructions |
|---|---|
| iOS | Tap on the “Country Code” option. A list of country codes will appear. Scroll down or use the search bar at the top to find the desired country code. |
| Android | Tap on the “Country Code” field. A numeric keypad will appear. Use the keypad to manually enter the country code of your choice. Ensure that you include the leading “+” sign. |
Navigating to the Account Section
Once you have opened the WhatsApp application on your mobile device, the next step is to navigate to the “Account” section. This will enable you to access various settings related to your WhatsApp account, including the option to add an international number.
To access the “Account” section, follow these steps:
- Tap on the three vertical dots located at the top right corner of the WhatsApp screen.
- From the drop-down menu that appears, select the “Settings” option.
- In the “Settings” menu, you will see a list of options. Tap on the “Account” option.
The “Account” section provides access to various settings such as privacy, security, and notifications. To add an international number, you will need to proceed to the next step.
Changing the Phone Number
Once you are in the “Account” section, you will see an option labeled “Phone Number.” This is where you can view your current WhatsApp phone number. To change it to an international number, tap on the “Change Number” option located below the phone number.
On the “Change Number” screen, you will see two fields: “Old Phone Number” and “New Phone Number.” In the “Old Phone Number” field, enter your current WhatsApp phone number. In the “New Phone Number” field, enter the international phone number that you want to add to WhatsApp.
Before proceeding, it is important to note that changing your WhatsApp phone number will require you to verify the new number via a one-time password (OTP) that will be sent to it. Make sure that the international number you are adding is active and that you have access to it.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Old Phone Number | Your current WhatsApp phone number |
| New Phone Number | The international phone number you want to add |
Once you have entered both the old and new phone numbers, tap on the “Next” button to proceed with the verification process.
Selecting the “Change Number” Option
To proceed with altering your WhatsApp number, locate and tap on the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of the WhatsApp interface. Subsequently, select the “Settings” option from the drop-down menu that appears.
Once within the “Settings” menu, identify and tap on the “Account” option. Then, scroll down and select the “Change number” option.
The “Change Number” screen will present you with detailed instructions on how to modify your number. Carefully read and follow the provided instructions to ensure a seamless transition without encountering any issues.
Confirming the Old Number
In order to complete the number change process, WhatsApp requires you to first verify your existing phone number. To accomplish this, enter your current phone number in the designated field and tap on the “Next” button.
WhatsApp will send a six-digit verification code to your current number via SMS. Input this code into the provided field to confirm your identity.
Entering the New Number
Following the verification of your old number, you can now proceed to enter your new phone number in the designated field. Make sure that you provide a valid international phone number in the correct format to avoid any discrepancies.
| Country Code | Example |
|---|---|
| United States | +1 (555) 123-4567 |
| United Kingdom | +44 (7912) 123456 |
| India | +91 (9876) 543210 |
After entering your new number, tap on the “Next” button to proceed. WhatsApp will then send a verification code to your new number. Enter this code into the provided field to complete the number change process.
Entering the International Phone Number
To add an international number to WhatsApp, it’s essential to enter it in the correct format. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Start with a Plus Sign (+)
Include a plus sign (+) at the beginning. This indicates that you’re entering an international number.
Step 2: Country Code
Enter the country code in two digits, preceded by the plus sign. For example, for the United States, use +1.
Step 3: Area Code
After the country code, include the three-digit area code for the recipient’s location.
Step 4: Local Phone Number
Finally, add the seven-digit local phone number of the recipient.
Example: Adding a US Number
Suppose you want to add a phone number in New York City, USA. The format would be: +1 (212) 555-1212
| Country Code | Area Code | Local Phone Number | International Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| +1 | (212) | 555-1212 | +1 (212) 555-1212 |
Important Notes:
- Remove any leading zeros from the area code and local phone number.
- Do not include spaces or special characters.
- Always verify the accuracy of the number, as errors can lead to unsuccessful additions to WhatsApp.
Confirming the Number
Once you have entered the full international phone number, WhatsApp will send a confirmation code to that number via SMS or phone call. This code verifies that you have access to the phone number you provided.
If you choose to receive the code via SMS, it will be sent to the phone number you entered. Once you receive the code, enter it in the field provided in the WhatsApp confirmation screen.
If you choose to receive the code via phone call, WhatsApp will call the phone number you entered and read the code to you. Listen carefully to the code and enter it in the field provided in the WhatsApp confirmation screen.
Note: If you do not receive the confirmation code within a reasonable time, you can request a new code to be sent.
| Option | Steps |
|---|---|
| Receive code via SMS |
|
| Receive code via phone call |
|
Verifying the Number
The next step in adding an international number to WhatsApp is verifying your number. This process ensures that the number belongs to you and helps prevent spam and abuse. Here’s a detailed guide on how to verify your international number:
1. Open WhatsApp
Launch the WhatsApp application on your mobile device.
2. Select “Agree and Continue”
If prompted, tap on the “Agree and Continue” button to accept WhatsApp’s terms of service and privacy policy.
3. Enter Your Phone Number
In the “Enter your phone number” field, enter your international number, including the country code. For example, if your number is +44 7712 345678, enter it in the following format: +447712345678.
4. Select “Call Me” or “Send SMS”
WhatsApp will offer you two options for receiving a verification code: via call or via SMS. Choose the method that is most convenient for you.
5. Enter the Verification Code
Once you’ve received the verification code, enter it in the designated field in WhatsApp. If you selected “Call Me,” you will need to enter the digits you hear during the call. If you selected “Send SMS,” you will need to enter the code you received in the text message.
6. Complete Your Profile
After verifying your number, WhatsApp will ask you to complete your profile by entering your name and profile picture. This information is optional, but it is recommended to provide it to enhance your WhatsApp experience.
7. Start Using WhatsApp
Once you have completed your profile, you can start using WhatsApp to chat with international contacts. Navigate to the “Chats” tab and tap on the green “New Chat” icon to start a conversation.
8. Additional Tips for Number Verification
- Ensure that you have an active internet connection. WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to verify your number.
- If you do not receive a verification code, try requesting a new one. WhatsApp will resend the code after a certain amount of time.
- If you encounter any issues with the verification process, contact WhatsApp support for assistance.
Completing the Setup
9. Check for Verification
Now, you should receive a verification code via either SMS or phone call. If you’ve selected call, answer the call and listen to the automated message for the code. For SMS, it will typically arrive within a few minutes.
Once you have the code, enter it in the provided field on your phone screen.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| a. Open WhatsApp | Launch the WhatsApp application on your device. |
| b. Go to Settings | Tap on the three-dot menu icon located at the top-right corner and select “Settings.” |
| c. Select Account | In the Settings panel, choose the “Account” option. |
| d. Access Change Number | Tap on “Change Number.” |
| e. Enter Old and New Numbers | Enter your current phone number in the “Old Number” field. In the “New Number” field, enter your international number in the format outlined above (+ country code – area code – phone number). |
| f. Submit and Verify | Tap on the “Next” button. WhatsApp will send a verification code to your new number via SMS or phone call. Enter the code in the designated field to complete the number change process. |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
10. Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re having trouble adding an international number to WhatsApp, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure the number is in the correct international format. The number should include both the country code and the full phone number. For example, for a US number, you would include the country code +1. To find the country code for the number you’re trying to add, visit the website CountryCode.org.
- Make sure you’re using the correct country code. The country code should be the one for the country where the phone number is located. Even if you’re calling from a different country, you need to use the country code for the country where the recipient’s phone number is located.
- Try adding the number as a contact. If you’re adding an international number to WhatsApp from your phone’s contacts, make sure that the number is saved in the correct international format. To do this, open the contact’s info and tap on the “Edit” button. Then, scroll down to the “Phone” section and make sure that the number is in the correct international format.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection. WhatsApp requires an active internet connection to add contacts. If you’re having trouble adding an international number, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or using your mobile data connection.
- Wait for the verification code to arrive. When you add an international number to WhatsApp, WhatsApp will send a verification code to the number. This can take a few minutes to arrive. If you don’t receive the verification code, try sending it again.
- If you’re still having trouble adding an international number to WhatsApp, contact WhatsApp support.
How To Add An International Number To Whatsapp
Adding an international number to WhatsApp is a simple process that can be completed in a few steps. First, open WhatsApp and tap on the “Chats” tab. Then, tap on the “New Chat” button and select the “Add Contact” option. Enter the international number in the “Phone Number” field, including the country code. For example, to add a number from the United States, you would enter “+1”. Once you have entered the number, tap on the “Done” button.
WhatsApp will automatically format the number and add it to your contacts. You can now chat with the person by tapping on their name in the “Chats” tab.
