There are several reasons why WhatsApp can suspend your account: from change the phone app too many times in a row to use the unofficial apps, such as GBWhatsApp or WhatsApp Plus. It usually takes some time to regain access, but it may be the case that you have been permanently suspended. Then you will need to contact the company.
WhatsApp and the reasons to block accounts
WhatsApp temporarily suspended. Images by @lluesmaster (left) and @ivaaaaan_8 (right)
To use the famous messaging application, it is essential to respect its terms of use. The conditions specify what can and cannot be done, as well as the reasons why a user can be deprived of access to their WhatsApp. And there is a very clear penalty: use applications that are not the official one.
WhatsApp Plus or GBWhatsApp are two of the most used unofficial clients today. Both expand WhatsApp utilities while adding extra features, such as greater customization, chat filters or options to prevent message deletion. Although these apps usually protect from ‘banning’ or expulsion, WhatsApp can realize if you are using them; which could lead to an account suspension. Temporary first. Later, and if you reoffend, the suspension can be permanent.
Other causes for WhatsApp to block the account can be:
- Suspicious account activities. Performing repeated actions continuously can lead to a temporary crash.
- By user report. WhatsApp includes the report button for all users. So, if you take actions that annoy other people, your account can be suspended
- service abuse. WhatsApp advocates responsible use of the application. Abusing forwarding, broadcast messages, or using contact lists you don’t know can get you banned.
- Due to risk of crime. WhatsApp can suspend accounts if it finds signs of crime in the activity. Notorious were the cases of a joke that caused block suspensions for changing group names for titles related to pederasty.
The purpose of the account suspension process is to teach a lesson so that the activity that caused the blockage ceases. This suspension is usually temporary and for several periods.; ranging from a few hours to a couple of days. If it repeats, or in the event that WhatsApp considers that the reasons for the blocking are serious, the account becomes suspended and the message ‘Your phone number is suspended on WhatsApp’ appears.
How to recover WhatsApp account
Permanent suspension of the WhatsApp account. Images by @MigueloManzar (left) and @RichardBet19 (right)
In most suspension you just have to wait for the time marked to be able to access the chats again. If your account was suspended for a few hours, access to the servers will be restored after the stipulated time. And you will not be able to do anything to avoid the suspension since, since your number is blocked, WhatsApp will not let you connect to its platform to use its services. It doesn’t matter if you use the official app like WhatsApp Plus or GBWhatsApp.
In the face of temporary ‘bans’, it is best to solve the cause of the blockage. As WhatsApp usually applies these suspensions to those who use unofficial applications, to avoid a new temporary (or permanent) suspension, you simply have to stop using them. Of course, back up all your conversations from the unofficial app when your account is restored: only in this way will you have your chats back in the official app.
In the event that the suspension of the account is indefinite, and the message ‘Your phone number is suspended on WhatsApp‘, you have no choice but to contact the company: you will have to convince them to return it to you. There is no automatic method, nor will you recover it waiting as in temporary suspensions.
The ways to contact WhatsApp are as follows:
- Use the contact form. Access this page, fill in the form with your data and explain in the text field that your account was suspended and that you want to recover it.
- Send an email to support. Open your email client and send an email to ‘support@whatsapp.com’ specifying your phone number with its international prefix (+34 and your number if it is Spanish, for example). Detail the manufacturer and model of your phone and also that you want to recover your account. Provide all the information you consider appropriate.
- From the start of the application. You can also reinstall your WhatsApp, try to start it with the phone number and click on the ‘Support’ button that will appear in the notice that the number is suspended. Fill in the data and submit the form.
The account recovery process may take several days, you will have to be patient. Also, writing to support does not guarantee that they will remove your suspension: everything will depend on whether or not WhatsApp considers it appropriate to return your account. In general, they do not usually spend more than three days; and you can insist on any of the three ways (or all) if too much time passes and your phone number still does not have WhatsApp.
And one last warning: if WhatsApp does not respond to you no matter how hard you insist, you will have no choice but to register on the platform with a new phone number. Your suspended account will be lost forever along with its conversations and messages.