Question about using whatsapp overseas.

[DMC]

I have a personal situation that requires me to live in Germany for 4 months later this year.  I'm going to keep my PM account active, since I don't want to lose my number, but I will be getting a local sim while there. I have a dual sim one plus 6 phone, so plan to keep my PM sim in it still.

My question has to do with using whatsapp while in Germany with my PM number still. My understanding is whatsapp only uses your phone number as identification when first installing and then it's fine to use even taking out your sim.

Looking at whatsapp's website it says only if you're asked to reverify your number you will run into issues as I won't be able to receive any SMS on my PM number while in Germany.  I've never needed to travel outside Canada during the whatsapp era before, so my question is for people who have.  As long as I don't uninstall whatsapp, I won't ever be asked to reverify my number and I should be fine using whatsapp with my local number, while using a local German sim for data/text and talk correct?

[pm-smayer97]

Thx. That makes sense.

[will13am]

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@pm-smayer97 wrote:

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@will13am wrote:

@DMC, I believe if you keep your Public Mobile SIM card in the phone, you should be fine.  WhatsApp won't ask for reverification.  I use Google voice number for seeding WhatsApp on my tablet and it works. It's pretty flexible.  

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Does your tablet have WiFi only or also 3G/LTE? When I try to install WhatsApp on a WiFi only tablet, it refuses, saying it does not support WiFi only.

EDIT: @will13am did you see the above? I would really appreciate knowing. Thx.

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My tablets all have a cellular chip.  Not sure of wifi only tablets.

[pm-smayer97]

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@will13am wrote:

@DMC, I believe if you keep your Public Mobile SIM card in the phone, you should be fine.  WhatsApp won't ask for reverification.  I use Google voice number for seeding WhatsApp on my tablet and it works. It's pretty flexible.  

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Does your tablet have WiFi only or also 3G/LTE? When I try to install WhatsApp on a WiFi only tablet, it refuses, saying it does not support WiFi only.

EDIT: @will13am did you see the above? I would really appreciate knowing. Thx.

[vicabbott]

Yes you should be fine...I have a dual sim card as well, and when in Asia put a local sim in the second sim slot and disable data on the PM sim. Using the local sim for all data. Never have a problem using whatsapp, line, viber, etc.

[srlawren]

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@smp99 wrote:

I think Whatsapp only asks for reverification when you switch devices, not SIMs

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@smp99 correct.  

If you were permanently changing your phone number, it would make sense to update it in WhatsApp, but for something like this probably not.

[smp99]

Worst case - you will need to verify your whatsapp with the new German number and then re-verify again when you get back. I think Whatsapp only asks for reverification when you switch devices, not SIMs

[DMC]

Ah ok, thanks for your confirmation that it will work still!

[srlawren]

@DMC I was in France and the UK for a couple of weeks in July, using a SIM from a French provider (LeFrench Mobile).  I did not change my WhatsApp number at all and people were able to reach me as normal even when my data was set to the French SIM card.  One of the people I was travelling with did change their number, and changed it again when they got home.  I think they did this without realizing they didn't need to.  I'd say it's completely optional and would say for most people, keeping your WhatsApp associated to your PM # is the best move since it won't confuse your friend and family back home.  

[will13am · Accepted solution]

@DMC, I believe if you keep your Public Mobile SIM card in the phone, you should be fine.  WhatsApp won't ask for reverification.  I use Google voice number for seeding WhatsApp on my tablet and it works. It's pretty flexible.