WhatsApp May Require Active SIM Card From January 2027

WhatsApp may implement a significant change to its account verification requirements beginning next year, according to reports. Under the proposed rule effective from January 1, 2027, users would need to keep an active SIM card registered to their phone to continue accessing the messaging service.

The rationale behind this potential policy shift centres on strengthening account security and preventing unauthorized access. By linking WhatsApp accounts directly to active SIM cards, the platform aims to reduce fraudulent activities, account hijacking, and misuse of the service. The measure would require device-level verification rather than relying solely on phone number-based authentication.

The policy is expected to affect a broad user base in India, particularly those who use WhatsApp on secondary devices, feature phones, or tablets without active SIM cards. Users maintaining multiple WhatsApp accounts or those who regularly switch devices may face disruptions. Additionally, individuals using international roaming or those with suspended SIM cards could experience service interruptions.

To comply with the new requirements, WhatsApp users will need to ensure their registered phone number's SIM card remains active and inserted in their device. Those using the service on multiple devices may need to reconfigure their setup or maintain separate active SIM cards for each device. WhatsApp has not yet officially confirmed the implementation timeline or provided detailed guidelines for the transition period.