Help suspended from WhatsApp!

[Discombobulated2024]

I am on a walking holiday abroad, alone and relying on WhatsApp to book accommodation as well as for keeping safe and feeling connected to friends and family. This morning I had a message from WhatsApp, ‘this account can no longer use WhatsApp’ No explanation.

I have no idea why this has happened. I am a respectable 62 year old woman. Not a spammer, scammer or extremist. I have not broken the terms and conditions in any way at all. I am really upset and panicking. Any ideas why this might be and what I could do about it?

I have, of course turned it off and on again and tried to reinstall the app. Nothing. Happened about 4 hours ago.

As an aside, OP, I hope you have some sort of GPS system (e.g. Garmin or on your phone) set up for emergency rescue situations.

The notion of going out alone somewhere remote and losing communications sounds terrifying.

Are you any chance in a country that has a ban on Whatsapp use? A friend in Pakistan said they were banned from using a lot of apps recently and another friend in the Middle East said it sometimes happens there, normally if a major event has happened.

I do apologise - I didn’t realise that I am not allowed to be new and comment 🙄 I am not cowardly hiding behind a name change at all. I have joined today - as you will see from checking my posting history as you have done.

You yourself state she sounds agitated, which I said in my response I understand she is frustrated and angry, however, having read through, she is coming across as agressive towards those who have tried to assist her 🤷🏼‍♀️

I use Life360 with my children which could be good for the OP in this situation maybe? I imagine there could be better ones available (I am not too familiar with any others) but I do know Life360 is good.

This advice won’t help the original poster, sorry for that, I wish I could suggest something but I didn’t understand most of the advice that has been given!

However, for those who have lost photos or messages when having to reinstall WhatsApp, I recently discovered that there is an option to automatically save every photo to your photos on your phone. It’s a bit of a pain to then have to delete unwanted ones but it’s more efficient than remembering to move/save important photos whenever you receive them. I also save or star any messages which have important info in them, such as an address or phone number. I can then clear all other messages and just keep the saved ones.

My advice to the OP is to do what others have suggested, email a friend your full itinerary and hostel information then each day, ask them to confirm your place at the hostel for that night.

It might be that WhatsApp get their act together overnight and reinstate you without the need for verification codes.

Another vote for getting an eSim and registering the number for that for a new WhatsApp account so you can message the accommodation at least.

I really appreciate all the help and suggestions.

It seems that the country I am in is indeed getting restricted access to WhatsApp at the moment.

A kind family have offered to accommodate me until I can leave here and return to the UK.

Once again, thank for for the time you have taken.

An esim in a different country is often a good idea anyway, aside from as a solution to this problem, just to provide data in the many spots where there's no wifi and to be able to make local calls in an emergency.

I wouldn’t know in fairness as I don’t even know how to check posting history 😂

Being unable to sleep and having no idea how to find things on here, this was the thread I came across.

I do genuinely hope that the OP gets sorted and is able to resolve the issues soon as I originally said.

I will also add that you should get a newer phone before going abroad again. The iPhone X is about 7 years old now and Apple stopped providing support and iOS updates for it last year, marking its “end of life.” This means that it will be increasingly unstable and vulnerable in terms of security, verification, etc as they are no longer fixing problems and exploits for it. Okay-ish if you’re staying in the UK and not keeping personal/financial info on it, but otherwise not worth the risk.

You're not packing in the trip are you?

Sorry if this is too stupid but when the verification call asks you to input 7,does it mean into the phone keypad, as if you are selecting another option, rather than the first digit of the verification code

@Smineusername
There is a widespread disabling of WhatsApp in the country I am in at the moment.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions but I don’t think any of the technical advice will help in this situation.

I have been accommodated by a kind family and am making plans to return to the UK as it’s not possible to carry on safely.

I have just googled a list of countires where WhatsApp is banned and am surrised that the OP is travelling alone there. I can't think that any companies would have sent an employee alone to these places.

I assume that this must be for personal research.

Also, given that WhatsApp can't be used I'm surprised that the places that offer accommodation are using it as the only means of confirming it.

@Discombobulated2024 I know you are disappointed at curtailing your trip, but I hope you have a safe journey home.

Can WhatsApp not send the verification code via email? This company are ridiculous, pinning all communication on one platform.

I always thought of whatsapp as a very informal way to chat. I was travelling in Europe recently and I booked to stay at a hotel that was self check in.

It said when I booked it, that they would send me the code for the door , on the day I arrived. I arrived at the place and I still hadn't had an email or text.

I rang the number. They didn't answer for ages.

I eventually got through to them, and she told me that they had sent me the code in WhatsApp.

I don't even use WhatsApp!

I asked her to send it to me by email or text and she did email it to me then.

But I was standing outside the hotel for about an hour. It was annoying

The possibility to send verification via email wasn’t available when I signed up. It is now, but I have to get back into my account to do it.

Honestly, the amount of people on this thread who are either seemingly incapable of any kind of reading comprehension or are purposefully being obtuse.... Staggering.
As for those who have decided for themselves that OP has simply chosen not to text or call and that she's 'dim' or something?! Just wow.

Yes, the dismissive texts are horrible but luckily some helpful, kind and informative messages from other pp

Good luck OP, I feel for you

WhatsApp is more convenient as it's free to call/text people internationally so is more convenient. Calls/messages from abroad can be pricey, however in this instance maybe the only option until the account is hopefully "unbanned". 🙏

Seems like a massive flaw in the way the accommodation booking works. I think I would be having a word about that.

Agree with this it's do easy usually but definitely need a back up. They should send WA and e mail

OP if it's a country wide ban have you tried using a VPN? Although not sure whether this will get over the verification code issue.