When you purchase a sim card for travel I understand that it gives you a new phone number. What I'm not sure about is how this affects communication on What's App.
For example, I've communicated with a guide from home in the US, however when a new sim card is put in when we arrive at another country, will my previous messages still be visible? Will I be able to message and they will see my message as coming from a different number?
Posted by
Singapore
313 posts
Your number or WhatsApp will remain the same unless you choose 'change number' in the settings menu. This is because WhatsApp only uses data - which network and SIM it uses doesn't matter.
My phone allows me to install two separate instances of WhatsApp with different numbers, but that's not something you need from the sound of it.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4639 posts
With WhatsApp, your phone number is effectively just a loginid. You can log in to it from any device (e.g., your phone, your tablet, your laptop) with (or without) any SIM.
will my previous messages still be visible?
Yes
Will I be able to message and they will see my message as coming from a different number?
Yes, you will be able to send messages.
No, your recipient will see your messages coming from your original phone number.
And...
All of your contacts will be able to contact you, just as they always have, on WhatsApp with your original phone number.
(Unless you do as Simon suggests and create a new WhatsApp login with your new SIM's telephone number.)
Posted by
OP
Bemidji MN
18 posts
Thank you both!