> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.omnichat.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.omnichat.ai/en/features/tong-xun-qu-dao/integrations/whatsapp-business-api-zheng-he-dao-omnichat/can-i-use-my-old-phone-number-for-whatsapp-business-api-integration-and-migrate-the-chat-history.md).

# Can I use my old phone number for WhatsApp Business API integration and migrate the chat history

It is possible to use your old phone number that is already registered in your WhatsApp Business application. Still, currently, there is no way to import existing chats from WhatsApp Business to WhatsApp Business API.

{% hint style="warning" %}

1. Those past chat records backed up on Google Drive or iCloud are unable to access. Please prepare another device and number that has not downloaded WhatsApp.
2. Currently, chat history can only be saved and viewed on the original device. Moreover, WhatsApp do not support chat record migration from Business API account to WhatsApp Business API account.
   {% endhint %}

### You may follow the steps below if you would like to back up chats:

#### Step 1: Prepare a new phone and a new SIM card

#### Step 2: On your original phone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now.

<figure><img src="https://2848678129-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3u2I1osIy6mEi07X1z46%2Fuploads%2FJsxRSR6lV0ZlaIoH8FmR%2F%E6%88%AA%E5%9C%96%202023-03-28%20%E4%B8%8B%E5%8D%882.16.13.png?alt=media&amp;token=a84f0e5a-e1d2-4764-bb1c-b39fdfd0c7d6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Step 3: Remove the old SIM card and insert it into your new phone

#### Step 4: Download WhatsApp on your new phone and register your original phone number

#### Step 5: On your new phone, Go to Settings > Account > Delete My Account. Deleting the WhatsApp account (associated with that phone number) on your new phone would not affect the chat history, which is stored in the original phone.

{% hint style="info" %}
Please note that you might temporarily be unable to receive incoming messages (for a couple of hours) until you successfully migrate to Whatsapp Business API.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2848678129-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3u2I1osIy6mEi07X1z46%2Fuploads%2FamQ3hUcfaOkvHR6KyNXu%2F%E6%88%AA%E5%9C%96%202023-03-28%20%E4%B8%8B%E5%8D%882.19.03.png?alt=media&amp;token=f64159ef-c333-4a34-b8bd-bd0cab625f0d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Step 6: On your old phone, insert a new SIM card, open Whatsapp and link it to the new phone number. You can browse the old chat history on your old phone.

### Upon completing the above steps, please go back to the Omnichat platform to proceed with the WhatsApp Business API migration.