WhatsApp is undoubtedly one of the most popular apps that is being used by billions of users across the world. The free messaging platform is used for send messages, making audio and video calls by as many as 300 million daily active users according to a report on 99Firms.

However, not many users realize that the app has certain ‘Terms of Service’, which require to be followed failing which  accounts may face a temporary or permanent ban. Nevertheless, there are steps that can be taken to revoke the ban.

How to Know if WhatsApp Account is Banned?

Accounts that get banned receive the following message on the platform: “Your phone number is banned from using WhatsApp. Contact support for help.” The platform usually does not issue any warning before banning an account. A temporary ban is usually indicated with a timer that displays the length of the ban, and a permanent ban can only be used for contacting support.

How to Activate a Banned WhatsApp Number

Temporary WhatsApp bans can most likely be reversed, and are handed out to users who install unsupported version of the app instead of the official one. Third party apps such as WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp, an so on are not supported by the Facebook owned platform as their security practices cannot be validated.

Temporary ban is generally revoked for users who switch from these apps to the official app failing which the user may face a permanent ban. Users  can even backup their chat history on third part apps while migrating to the official app by taking the following measures:

1. In GB WhatsApp, tap More options > Chats > Back up chats.
2. Go to Phone Settings > tap Storage > Files.
3. Find the folder GB WhatsApp and tap and hold to select it.
4. In the upper right corner tap More > Rename and rename the folder to “WhatsApp”.
5. Download the official app, and then press Restore >Next on the back up found screen.

As far as the WhatsApp Plus app goes, user chat history if previously saved, should automatically transfer to the official WhatsApp app.

Permanent Ban WhatsApp Ban Could be Irreversible

A permanent ban could be irreversible, unless a user is banned by mistake. The only option a user has upon facing permanent ban is to write to contact support stating valid reasons as to why their account must be unbanned.

Users on Reddit recently reported that being a part of a group proved to be expensive for them when one of the members of the group changed the name of the group to “Child Pornography.” This problem seems to impact only old users who have been part of a group for a long time, as the platform is able to detect when a new user is added to a spammy group. However, such activities on the messaging platform are likely to make the platform hand users an irreversible ban.