How to change WhatsApp to a business account

Decide whether to switch your existing number or use a second one

If you are the only person answering the phone and you do not mind business messages mixing with personal ones, converting your current number is the simplest route. If you already give out a separate number for the business, or family and friends message you on the same line, it is worth getting a second SIM instead and keeping the two apps apart.

Once you convert a number to WhatsApp Business, you cannot run ordinary WhatsApp on that same number at the same time — the two apps cannot share one number on one phone.

Before you convert

• Back up your chats: open WhatsApp, go to Settings, Chats, Chat backup, and back up now
• Make sure you have enough storage on your phone for the new app
• Decide on your business name — this cannot be exactly the same as another registered business
• Have your logo or a clear shopfront photo ready for the profile picture

Steps to convert

• Download the WhatsApp Business app from your app store — it is free and separate from ordinary WhatsApp
• Open it and agree to the terms
• Choose to use your existing phone number
• Confirm the verification code sent by SMS or call
• Choose to restore your chat history when prompted
• Ordinary WhatsApp will be removed from your phone automatically once the business app takes over the number

What stays the same

Your chat history, contacts, groups and media transfer across when you restore the backup. Anyone who already has your number saved keeps messaging you exactly as before — they will simply notice a small "Business Account" label under your name.

What changes

• You gain a business profile with category, address, hours and website link
• You can build a product catalogue
• You get quick replies, greeting and away messages, and chat labels
• Group limits and some personal features work slightly differently

If something goes wrong

If your backup does not appear during setup, check you are signed into the same Google account or iCloud account the backup was made with. If chats are still missing afterwards, do not uninstall the app — contact WhatsApp support first, since reinstalling can overwrite a usable backup.