How to Check if Someone Else is Using Your WhatsApp Account

Like many other online applications, WhatsApp does its best to keep its users’ data private and secure. The platform is relatively safe with features such as one login at a time and two-factor authentication.

But, like anything connected to the internet, there are security vulnerabilities that nefarious individuals are all too happy to explore. Due to the nature of WhatsApp, it’s essential to act fast if you think your account got breached.

This article will teach you how to spot suspicious activity on WhatsApp and teach you how to secure your account. Let’s dive in!

1. Sign in to Your WhatsApp Account

To better understand how WhatsApp security works, we’ll first walk you through logging into your account. WhatsApp provides two ways to access; online and via iOS WhatsApp Messenger or the Android WhatsApp app.

Using WhatsApp’s web version makes it a lot easier to type, as you can do it on a keyboard rather than tapping on your phone screen. However, you have to start with your mobile device.

  1. Open a WhatsApp Web session on your tablet or phone by tapping the vertical ellipsis (three vertical dots) menu icon in the main WhatsApp window.
  2. Select WhatsApp Web. This opens your camera to use on the next step.
  3. You will be directed to scan a QR code, which you can get by opening WhatsApp Web in your browser.
  4. Open WhatsApp Web using a browser on your PC.
  5. Scan the QR code in the browser window using your device’s camera.

You can now type messages using your PC’s keyboard, and your WhatsApp window on your phone should match what you see in the browser, allowing you to chat and interact as usual.

2. Check if Someone is Using Your WhatsApp Account

WhatsApp is relatively easy to use. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to spot an interloper if they aren’t interacting with the application. This scenario would most likely be someone who only wants to eavesdrop on your conversations, but some hackers also want to take over your account.

Regardless of their intentions, we will use this section to educate you on some warning signs that someone is in your account.

  1. Check Your WhatsApp Activity. When you open WhatsApp, you’ll first see a list of messages. Review this list for any messages you didn’t send or received from people you don’t know.
  2. Check your contact information. If the interloper tries to hijack your account, they’ll start changing your contact information. On mobile, tap on the vertical ellipsis (three vertical dots) in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Select your profile at the top of the menu.
  5. Review the information and verify that it is accurate and up-to-date.
  6. If anything changed, or there is information that you do not recognize, you’ll need to secure your account. Follow the steps in the next section on using two-step verification.
  7. Check for Messages from WhatsApp. Search your messages by typing WhatsApp in the search bar at the top on iPhone or using the magnifying glass on Android. Look for messages about account changes or access.
  8. Check for New Friends. Review your contacts on WhatsApp by opening the app and tapping on the Chat icon in the lower right-hand corner. Confirm that no new, unknown friends have appeared on the list.
  9. Check the latest chat sessions. View the last session or any open session by tapping the vertical ellipsis (three vertical dots) menu icon.
  10. Select Linked devices.
  11. Review the Last active… list for any unknown devices.
  12. If you find an unknown device, tap it and select Log Out.

Unlike other services, the steps above are the only way to see your WhatsApp login activity.

Securing Your WhatsApp Account

If you find that someone else is using your account, it’s time to secure it. Keep in mind that if any of the situations mentioned above are present, you’ll need to act quickly.

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication in WhatsApp

If someone has been using your WhatsApp account, you need to lock it down. If you’re lucky, it’s a sibling or partner spying on what you’re doing. If you’re not so fortunate, it could be a hacker stealing your contacts and data and wreaking havoc with your social life. Either way, you need to lock it down by turning on two-factor authentication.

WhatsApp doesn’t use passwords. Instead, you need to enable two-factor authentication. That way, anyone trying to log in must enter a  verification code.

  1. Open WhatsApp and select the vertical ellipsis (three vertical dots) menu icon from the main window.
  2. Select Settings and then Account.
  3. Choose Two-step verification, then tap on Enable.
  4. Type a 6-digit PIN code, then tap on Next.

Once set, you need to enter that PIN code to authenticate every time you open WhatsApp. Make sure the PIN isn’t something obvious that others could choose. After completing the above steps, you have secured your WhatsApp account even further.

WhatsApp is a very secure app but is only as safe as you keep it. Using two-factor authentication is a viable way to lock down your account if someone has been accessing it.

WhatsApp Hacked FAQs

What can I do if I’ve lost access to my WhatsApp account?

Chances are that a hacker has taken over your account. When this happens, you can’t log in, and all of your account information is in the hands of the hacker. Getting your account back can be complicated. Fortunately, you can still reclaim your WhatsApp account.

I received a text verification code from WhatsApp. Does that mean someone is using my account?

One of the more notorious ways someone can gain access to your WhatsApp account is by obtaining the text verification code. If WhatsApp sends you a text verification code that you didn’t envoke, it’s best to ignore it.

You may even receive multiple codes back to back. However, WhatsApp will only send so many verification codes within a specific period. Afterward, the app will lock you out if you log out.

30 thoughts on “How to Check if Someone Else is Using Your WhatsApp Account”

Fara says:
My WhatsApp is hacked by one of my relative and He used to tease me at every moment that I have seen your data. How can I make secure to my account?
Umar says:
I got a spam message from an unknown number on my WhatsApp and after Whatsapp started crashing i was not able to open that chat or block it because app was not responding . whenever i opened the app it worked properly but when i tried to Open that chat everytime whatsp crashed and after a lot of attempts I blocked that contact whatsp stoped crashing and started working Normally. Is my account hacked because i n really concerned about my data and my personal chats kindly someone please help me
Julia says:
I blocked someone on WhatsApp 2 weeks ago but noticed that the number kept unblocking and blocking by itself. It did this several times even after I tried to unblock and block the number again. Before I blocked this person (an ex love interest), I noticed that this person was mentioning things I have not told them, in a very subtle way which made reference to my chats with other people. This person also knows about things they shouldn’t know about. When I sent a text to this person asking them to stop, the blocking and unblocking stopped completely. I tried blocking other numbers, but I didn’t experience this, and I have not experienced it before or since then. I have checked all the steps and nothing seems out of place, I also have 2 step verification in place. Is there a possibility that I am I being hacked by this person? I am feeling scared.
Steve Larner says:
Yes, you are probably hacked.
Stella says:
I didn’t login to whatsapp web, but why did an error like this appear on my mobile phone (under link devices). “Your devices were logged out due to unexpected issue. Please relink your devices” Has someone hacked my whatsapp & opened it on another device?
R das says:
Someone msged me that i had sent him some spam messages. However when I checked I found that there is no such messages sent from my device. But he sent me screen shots and my number is mentioned there. Shortly after I was banned from whatsapp
. What should I do?
Amy says:
When I’m on a single call, it keeps writing group voice call, does this mean my WhatsApp is hacked?
Dancy says:
Why is it that when I’m calling someone else it does write group call instead of the person’s name
Steve Larner says:
It’s like Android’s text message app where it says “group chat” but the group is actually only one person at that moment.
Solly says:
So does showing group call means your WhatsApp is hacked? Seeing as you’re only on a call with one person but somehow it writes group call
Dot says:
My son’s phone was linked to a person who wanted to frame him for things he did not do. He did not know that his phone was linked as he never linked his phone before. When he checked the linked devices, it said “disconnected” meaning his phone was linked. How can I check what devices were linked to his phone?
Anne W says:
Hello… i have been trying to log in to my whatsapp account. I didn’t receive any messages or verification code but I noticed that my whatsapp account is online, already been changed to business account and has someone’s name on it. What should I do?
Umair says:
How can check my what’s app is hack if someone just stealing my data but don’t my profile.
Steve Larner says:
You can’t check if someone else is using your Whatsapp account if they just take your data and not your profile, plain and simple.
Mantsheki says:
I can’t log into my whattsp account someone is using it l needed help
Gysie says:
Hello , can I check someones whatsapp on whatsapp web if they logged me out ?
Xolly Dongwe says:
my app is viewing contacts statuses on its own automatically
Philip says:
Every time I log in to WhatsApp 5 minutes later I get a message that I have been logged out. If I try and log in again I get this number has been banned message.
Emmanuel Odunowo says:
This is exactly what I’m going through right now, number gets banned I send mail to Whatsapp for support, I get it open again, and in a few hours it logged out and blocked again.
Shivansh Shukla says:
I am going through the same thing. Do you know how to fix it
Kenysha Bissessur says:
Hello! My description was changed by itself.
V-M says:
I stop using WhatsApp and deleted the application,few months later I check my WhatsApp profile from a friend phone and behold my WhatsApp profile was changed but my last seen is accurate.does that mean it was me that change by mistake or was it an hackers
Steve Larner says:
Hard to say whether someone hacked your WhatsApp account or not.
Boy says:
Hi

my whatup status been upload with picture that not been upload myself. I can see that unwanted status from my other phone . Please advice is my phone been hacked .

Steve Larner says:
It sounds like your WhatsApp was hacked.
rozeena tariq says:
i have set two step authentication but they don’t ask for pin everytime.?!
Sheena says:
I guess they only ask when there is new login ..like either in laptop, computer or any other mobile..
Mike citino says:
When open app it states “online” I am not referring to “last seen” , just “ online” , how can I remove this “online” status ?
Nobody says:
I lost my phone and a random stranger got it. I sent my email hoping they would write me if found. Instead they went to my phone carrier and entered that and requested a pic sent to ny phone (that they had) and ported my number. I called in two days later and I had no account. 5 days later I got it back but they had charged lots of stuff through venmo, paypal and banks and coinbase. I changed everything. They got into everything including gmail accounts. 5 months later they struck again and stole money from my coinbase account by putting someone’s paypal. Coinbase was horrible and wouldn’t talk on the phone! $75B company. They said that my verified device was used. Maybe the idiots kept my phone as a verified device. They definitely got into my email again and I suspect have a way to mirror my number and also maybe made a copy of what’s app. I spoke to a couple people that said that could be possible. They had it ported to some other carrier. I just switched on two factor for my whats app. Whats app should encrypt and its crazy that these companies don’t talk to you or even send you a comprehensive list of tips. So I’m changing my number. Might change my social too. Coinbase said they wouldn’t give anything back. Screw them. I also got a Ransome note that they have vids of me jerking off w my Webcam and want to send it to everyone if I don’t pay 1500. That seems to be a regular spam email but its concerning given the circumstances. Well I’ll find out in a day or so if all colleagues and family get a video of me needing. LOL. Lovely. Be careful. Use Google 2 factor. Report your phone and brick it immediately. Don’t get ported. I think they can mirror stuff. And use 2 factor w your secret pin.
Riya Patel says:
I have doubt that my whatsapp account has been hacked. Then after I tried these steps to check my account security and solved my problems. Thanks for this great blog.

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