WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone gets account migration feature for changing phones

WhatsApp has been plowing through feature updates in the private beta series. The latest version, beta 332, went out late last night/early this morning and continues to add new functions to the app. Those functions, including the coveted add pre-recorded videos and saving of sent videos, should be coming down the pike in a big update relatively soon.

Today’s update brings with it one big new feature: account data migration. By heading into Settings > Account, users will find a new addition near the bottom: Change My Number. Tapping that button brings you to an information screen, detailing the process. The next screen allows you to enter in your old and new phone numbers to begin the process.

That’s a big deal because WhatsApp, for all intents and purposes, is permanently tied to your phone number. Were you ever to switch services, you would have to create a new WhatsApp account, as currently there is no way to transfer your profile on Windows Phone  (iPhone already has this feature).

Granted, this is a rare situation where you would need to use this function, but we can bet you’ll be glad to have it if and when you ever do.

No word on when the beta features for WhatsApp will work their way into the main line release, but presumably it won’t be too long. The beta for WhatsApp is a private with no public way to sign up, so you’ll just have to be patient.

Source: Anonymous; Thanks, everyone, for the tips

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.