Udaipur, February 25, 2026 (Read): WhatsApp users in India may soon see a major change in how the messaging app functions. The platform is currently testing a new SIM Verification feature under which WhatsApp will work only if the linked mobile number has an active SIM card in the phone.
WhatsApp is widely used across India for messaging, voice and video calls, and status updates. However, reports indicate that the company is developing a system where the app will continuously verify whether the SIM linked to the account is active and present in the device.
As per Telecom Cyber Security Rules, messaging platforms are required to implement SIM-based verification. At present, once a user logs in using the six-digit OTP, WhatsApp does not regularly check the SIM status. Under the proposed update, the app will perform periodic background checks to confirm that the registered SIM card is active and inserted in the phone.
The primary objective of this feature is to prevent cyber fraud, misuse of recycled numbers, and fake accounts created using inactive or reassigned mobile numbers.
How the Feature Will Work
According to technical reports, the feature has been spotted in Android beta version 2.26.8.6. The app will run background processes to verify:
Whether the same SIM linked to the WhatsApp account is present in the device.
Whether the SIM is active and recharged.
If the verification process fails, the account may be temporarily restricted until the SIM verification is successfully completed. Once the SIM is verified, users will be able to continue using the app without interruption.
Importantly, if SIM verification fails, users will not lose their chat history or previous messages. WhatsApp will keep all existing chats सुरक्षित. However, users will not be able to send or receive new messages until the verification is completed successfully.
Impact on Indian Users
This change is being developed specifically for India. Users with +91 mobile numbers may be required to maintain an active SIM at all times to continue using WhatsApp. The verification system will apply only to Indian numbers, while users in other countries will continue to use WhatsApp without this additional SIM verification process for now.
More details are expected once the feature moves beyond the testing phase.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Readhis insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
SIM Deactivation to Disable WhatsApp in India, New SIM Check Rule for WhatsApp Users
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