Can You Use WhatsApp Without Phone Number?

WhatsApp is arguably the most often used app on all the major smartphone platforms from Android to Apple’s iOS and even Windows Phone. With the app becoming so universally ubiquitous, there is an increasing number of users who find the requirement by WhatsApp that all user accounts are attached to a particular phone number all the time too restrictive. This makes it virtually impossible to communicate with friends on the PC and also on tablet devices which do not require a the user to have a SIM card.

If you are one who feels that this restriction is too much for your good, you will be glad to know that it is possible to communicate on WhatsApp without need for a phone number.

There are two ways to do this:

Method A – Using WhatsApp with Spoof Message Verification:

You may already know that WhatsApp only needs your phone number to verify your account. As it is impossible to have a WhatsApp account without a phone number attached, the only way to go through this restriction is to use a fake number to base your new WhatsApp account on.

The following is a step by step guide how you can accomplish this: 

1. If you already have WhatsApp installed on your phone the traditional way, begin by uninstalling it

2. Download the app either from your phone’s app store or the APK file directly from the WhatsApp website

3. Download and install a spoof texting app. The spoof texting app will give you a fake phone number. Copy the number to your phone’s memory (for pasting) or write it down on paper

4. Begin the installation process as usual but when it gets to the point of verification, disable text messaging (this is as easy as enabling flight mode on your Android phone)

5. Go back to the installation dialog and insert your phone number. As your phone cannot send or receive the verification text, WhatsApp will prompt you to choose an alternate method to verify your number

6. Choose the “Check through SMS” option and then enter the mobile phone number you copied from your spoof texting app

7. You will receive a verification code in your spoof texting app’s inbox and now all you have to do is copy the number and use it to complete the WhatsApp installation and verification process. Now you are all set to communicate with people without revealing your real phone number

Method B – Using WhatsApp on PC and SIM-Less Tablet Devices:

If you want to enjoy the convenience of chatting on WhatsApp on a much larger screen, the creators of WhatsApp have obliged and you do not have to use dodgy shortcut methods. The WhatsApp Web offer lets you enjoy the convenience of the WhatsApp on your PC or tablet device’s web browser.

This is how to do it:

1. Go to www.web.WhatsApp.com and you will see a QR code displayed

2. Open WhatsApp and from the menu click WhatsApp Web. This will activate your phone’s camera and you can now scan the QR code on your computer’s or tablet’s screen

3. You will need to keep your phone internet connection on as the messages and contacts are synced to the web browser’s interface

4. The web app will give you access to your WhatsApp contacts as well as the history of your messages. While you do not have to keep your phone close by, it is essential that you ensure it is connected to the web all the while.

So there you have it. Two methods to use WhatsApp without a phone number. Give it a try!

-   TFJ