Changing your WhatsApp number and your Meta contact book
Two things help WhatsApp keep showing you customers’ phone numbers: recent conversations on your number, and your WhatsApp contact book. This article explains why Mersal warns you before you change numbers, and why you should keep the contact book on.
3 min read·Updated
Why Mersal warns you when you change numbers
When you connect another WhatsApp number or disconnect one, Mersal now shows a warning.
Here’s why. When a customer messages you by username, WhatsApp still shows you their phone number if either of you messaged the other in the last 30 days. That 30-day rule counts separately for each business number.
A new number has no history. So on a new number, customers who aren’t in your WhatsApp contact book may appear without their phone number.
Before you change or add a number
1
Read the warningMersal shows it when you connect or disconnect a number.
2
Make sure your contact book is onCustomers saved in your WhatsApp contact book still show their number, even on a new number.
3
Think twice before switchingIf you don’t need a new number, keeping your current one keeps its 30-day history.
Your WhatsApp contact book
Meta keeps a contact book for your business that remembers customers’ phone numbers. It’s switched on by default.
Turning it off permanently deletes it, and it can’t be restored. In Meta’s words:
“If you re-enable the contact book later, it will start storing user information again, but previously stored information cannot be restored.”
How to keep it on
If nobody has changed it, it’s already on. To check, look in your business settings in Meta Business Suite and make sure the contact book hasn’t been switched off.
Leave the contact book switched on.If someone else manages your Meta settings, ask them not to switch it off.
Mersal keeps its own record too
Mersal also keeps its own record, so you’re protected either way. Still, keep the contact book on: it helps WhatsApp keep showing you your customers’ numbers.
Key takeaways
The 30-day rule counts per business number, so a new number starts with no history.Keep your WhatsApp contact book on. Turning it off deletes it permanently.Mersal keeps its own record too, and the contact book helps you keep seeing numbers.
Frequently asked questions
No. Meta keeps it for your business, separately from Mersal. Mersal keeps its own record as well.
You can switch it on again, and it will start storing customer information again. What it stored before can’t be restored.
Nothing breaks. On the new number, customers who aren’t in your contact book and haven’t messaged with it in the last 30 days may appear without their phone number.
Was this helpful?
Still need help?The Mersal team can review your setup and guide you through the next step.
Changing your WhatsApp number and your Meta contact book
Two things help WhatsApp keep showing you customers’ phone numbers: recent conversations on your number, and your WhatsApp contact book. This article explains why Mersal warns you before you change numbers, and why you should keep the contact book on.
3 min read·Updated
Why Mersal warns you when you change numbers
When you connect another WhatsApp number or disconnect one, Mersal now shows a warning.
Here’s why. When a customer messages you by username, WhatsApp still shows you their phone number if either of you messaged the other in the last 30 days. That 30-day rule counts separately for each business number.
A new number has no history. So on a new number, customers who aren’t in your WhatsApp contact book may appear without their phone number.
Before you change or add a number
1
Read the warningMersal shows it when you connect or disconnect a number.
2
Make sure your contact book is onCustomers saved in your WhatsApp contact book still show their number, even on a new number.
3
Think twice before switchingIf you don’t need a new number, keeping your current one keeps its 30-day history.
Your WhatsApp contact book
Meta keeps a contact book for your business that remembers customers’ phone numbers. It’s switched on by default.
Turning it off permanently deletes it, and it can’t be restored. In Meta’s words:
“If you re-enable the contact book later, it will start storing user information again, but previously stored information cannot be restored.”
How to keep it on
If nobody has changed it, it’s already on. To check, look in your business settings in Meta Business Suite and make sure the contact book hasn’t been switched off.
Leave the contact book switched on.If someone else manages your Meta settings, ask them not to switch it off.
Mersal keeps its own record too
Mersal also keeps its own record, so you’re protected either way. Still, keep the contact book on: it helps WhatsApp keep showing you your customers’ numbers.
Key takeaways
The 30-day rule counts per business number, so a new number starts with no history.Keep your WhatsApp contact book on. Turning it off deletes it permanently.Mersal keeps its own record too, and the contact book helps you keep seeing numbers.
Frequently asked questions
No. Meta keeps it for your business, separately from Mersal. Mersal keeps its own record as well.
You can switch it on again, and it will start storing customer information again. What it stored before can’t be restored.
Nothing breaks. On the new number, customers who aren’t in your contact book and haven’t messaged with it in the last 30 days may appear without their phone number.
Was this helpful?
Still need help?The Mersal team can review your setup and guide you through the next step.