Want To Recover A Hacked WhatsApp Account?
Discovering that your WhatsApp account has been hacked can be stressful and even frightening. Your chats, contacts, photos, and personal conversations are suddenly at risk. Hackers may impersonate you, scam your friends, or attempt to access other accounts linked to your phone number.
The good news? In most cases, you can recover your WhatsApp account quickly if you act fast and follow the right steps.
Here’s a complete guide to regaining control and protecting your account from future attacks.
How Do WhatsApp Accounts Get Hacked?
WhatsApp accounts are typically compromised through social engineering rather than technical hacking.
Common methods include:
- Verification code scams – A hacker tricks you into sharing the 6-digit SMS verification code.
- SIM swap attacks – Criminals transfer your phone number to a new SIM card.
- Phishing links – Fake messages asking you to log in on malicious websites.
- Malware apps – Downloading infected third-party applications.
Understanding how the breach happened helps you prevent it from happening again.
Signs Your WhatsApp Account Has Been Hacked
Before recovery, confirm whether your account is truly compromised. Warning signs include:
- You’re logged out of WhatsApp unexpectedly
- Friends receive strange messages from you
- Your profile photo, name, or status changes without your action
- You see messages you didn’t send
- WhatsApp notifies you that your number is registered on another device
If you experience one or more of these issues, take action immediately.
Step-by-Step: How to Recover Your Hacked WhatsApp Account
1. Reinstall and Verify Your Phone Number
The fastest way to regain access is to reinstall WhatsApp and verify your phone number again.
- Delete WhatsApp from your phone
- Reinstall it from the official app store
- Enter your phone number
- Request the SMS verification code
- Enter the 6-digit code
Once you successfully verify your number, the hacker will automatically be logged out of your account.
Important: Never share your verification code with anyone—even if they claim to be WhatsApp support.
2. If Two-Step Verification Was Enabled by the Hacker
If the hacker enabled two-step verification, you may be asked to enter a PIN you don’t recognize.
In this case:
- Tap “Forgot PIN”
- Request a reset via email (if you previously added an email address)
If no email was set, you may need to wait up to 7 days before regaining access. During this period, do not attempt repeated logins, as this may extend the lockout time.
3. Secure Your SIM Card
If you suspect a SIM swap attack:
- Contact your mobile carrier immediately
- Confirm no duplicate SIM cards were issued
- Request extra account security or a PIN on your carrier account
Without control of your phone number, you cannot fully secure your WhatsApp account.
4. Check Linked Devices
Once you regain access:
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to Settings > Linked Devices
- Review all connected sessions
Log out of any unfamiliar devices immediately.
5. Enable Two-Step Verification
After recovery, strengthen your account security:
- Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification
- Set a secure 6-digit PIN
- Add a recovery email address
This adds an extra layer of protection beyond SMS verification.
What If You Can’t Log In at All?
If the hacker has fully taken control and you can’t verify your number, contact WhatsApp support immediately through the app or their official website.
When contacting support:
- Use the email associated with your account
- Clearly explain that your account has been compromised
- Provide your phone number in international format
WhatsApp can temporarily deactivate your account while you attempt recovery.
Inform Your Contacts
If your account was used to send spam or scam messages:
- Notify friends and family immediately
- Tell them not to click suspicious links
- Ask them to ignore unusual financial requests
Hackers often target your contacts after taking control of your account.
Can You Recover Deleted Chats?
If you had chat backups enabled, you may be able to restore conversations.
WhatsApp allows backups through:
- iCloud (for iPhone users)
- Google Drive (for Android users)
During reinstallation, you’ll be prompted to restore chats from the latest backup. Keep in mind that messages sent after the last backup may be permanently lost.
How to Prevent Future WhatsApp Hacks
Prevention is always better than recovery. Follow these best practices:
- Never share verification codes
- Enable two-step verification
- Add a recovery email address
- Avoid suspicious links
- Download apps only from official app stores
- Lock your SIM card with a carrier PIN
- Keep your phone updated
Most WhatsApp hacks occur due to human error—not software weaknesses.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
In many cases, recovery takes just a few minutes if you still control your phone number. However:
- SIM swap cases may take longer
- Two-step verification lockouts may require up to 7 days
- Support investigations can vary depending on the situation
The faster you act, the higher your chances of full recovery.
