Marred with privacy and security concerns, popular messaging platform WhatsApp may now delete user accounts found to be using unofficial third-party apps like GB WhatsApp and WhatsApp plus.
In an earlier official statement, WhatsApp says if you’re found to be using an unauthorized version of WhatsApp instead of the official WhatsApp application, your account will be temporarily suspended and if you do not start using the official version of WhatsApp, your account will be permanently suspended.
“Unsupported apps, like WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp, or those that claim to be able to move your WhatsApp chats from one phone to another, are altered versions of WhatsApp. These unofficial applications are developed by third parties and violate our Terms of Service. WhatsApp does not endorse the use of these third-party applications because it is not possible to validate their security practices.” WhatsApp Wrote.
How to switch to the official version of WhatsApp
You may need to keep a backup of your chat history before transferring your account to the official version of WhatsApp. The name of the rogue app determines whether your chat history needs to be transferred. Locate the app name in More options > Settings > Help > App info . Follow the instructions below according to the name of the application: WhatsApp Plus or GB WhatsApp.
If you are using any other application other than WhatsApp Plus or GB WhatsApp, we recommend that you save your chat history before downloading the official version of WhatsApp.
GB WhatsApp
We recommend that you follow the steps below to save and transfer your chat history. Failure to follow these steps can result in the loss of your chat history. Please note that we cannot guarantee the success of the chat history transfer as unofficial applications are not compatible with WhatsApp.
- Wait for the temporary hold to the end. The stopwatch will show the duration of the suspension.
- In GB WhatsApp, tap More options > Chats > Backup .
- Go to Phone Settings > tap Storage > Files .
- Find the GB WhatsApp folder and hold it to select it.
- In the upper right corner, tap More > Rename and change the folder name to “WhatsApp”.
- Open Play Store and download the official version of WhatsApp. If you can’t access the Play Store, download the app here.
- On WhatsApp, verify your phone number.
- On the “Backup found” screen, tap Restore > Next.
- WhatsApp should load with your existing chats.
WhatsApp Plus
If you previously saved your chat history, it should be automatically transferred to the official version of WhatsApp.
- Open Play Store and download WhatsApp. If you can’t access the Play Store, download the app here.
- Verify your phone number.
