WhatsApp number banned: how to request a review

Why WhatsApp bans numbers, in its own words

• Spam, scams or activity that puts users’ safety at risk. WhatsApp says it bans accounts when it believes the activity breaks its Terms of Service.Source: WhatsApp Help Center
• Messages people did not ask for. The responsible-use page lists unwanted messages, bulk or automated messaging, auto-dialing, contact lists that are not yours and over-used broadcast lists, and says WhatsApp bans accounts that are reported multiple times.Source: WhatsApp Help Center
• Unofficial apps and modified versions of WhatsApp, or linking your account to them.Source: WhatsApp Help Center[1][2]
• Scraping: the automated collection of phone numbers, profile photos or statuses.Source: WhatsApp Help Center
• A recycled number: the previous owner of a new number may have broken the terms, and the ban shows up for you.Source: WhatsApp Help Center
• For unwanted automated messages, WhatsApp says it uses machine learning and reports from users to detect and ban accounts. Its guidelines add that automation decides cases highly likely to break the rules, and human review teams make the final call on cases that need further review.Source: WhatsApp Help Center; WhatsApp

Keep the quality rating out of the red

• Message only customers who opted in, and give a clear way to opt out in the message itself.Source: Meta Business Help Center
• Watch the 30-day quality history and the reasons Meta shows for a Yellow or Red rating, under Phone numbers in WhatsApp Manager.Source: Meta Business Help Center
• Read the block reasons customers pick: No longer needed, Didn’t sign up, Spam, Offensive messages or No reason.Source: Meta Business Help Center
• When quality drops, check templates added in the last 7 days, and avoid many messages in a short time.Source: Meta Business Help Center

Details for a Business Platform appeal

For the optional details field in Business Support Home. State facts you can prove, such as opt-in records, template names and dates.

WhatsApp Business account: [account name], phone number [+country code and number], business portfolio [name].
Policy issue: [policy named in See details], notice dated [date].

Why we believe this is a mistake:
- Recipients opted in through [website form / checkout box / in-store sign-up] on [dates]. We can provide the records.
- Every message offers an opt-out: [describe it].
- The template flagged is [template name], category [marketing / utility / authentication], used for [purpose].
- Sending volume around the notice: [number] messages to [number] recipients on [date].

Changes already made: [for example paused the template, removed contacts without opt-in, cut frequency].

Please review the violation.

Set up a backup channel that is not another WhatsApp account

• WhatsApp’s terms say that if it disables or suspends your account, you agree not to create another account without its permission. Registering a fresh number to get around the ban risks the same outcome.Source: WhatsApp[1][2]
• Use channels customers already have: a phone line, email, SMS, your website’s contact form or chat, and your Instagram or Facebook messages.

Tell customers where to find you

• Post the change where customers look first: a banner on your website, a post on your Google Business Profile and social profiles, and an email or SMS to customers who agreed to hear from you.
• Add a warning that you will never ask for payment or codes from a new WhatsApp number. Scammers copy businesses that go quiet.
• Brief your team with 1 script, so every customer hears the same answer.
• When the number is back, say so in the same places.

Update every link that opens the old chat

• Click-to-chat links (wa.me) and QR codes on your website, menus, packaging, receipts and printed materials.
• WhatsApp buttons on Instagram and Facebook profiles, and ads that click to WhatsApp.
• The phone number and chat links on your Google Business Profile, map listings and directories.
• Email signatures, invoices, autoresponders, and chatbot or CRM integrations that send to WhatsApp.
• Switch the links back only after WhatsApp shows “This account can now use WhatsApp”.Source: WhatsApp Help Center

Notice to customers

For your website banner, email, SMS or social post. It points people to a working channel and warns them about impersonators.

Our WhatsApp number [+country code and number] is unavailable for now.

You can reach us at:
- Phone: [number]
- Email: [address]
- Website chat: [page]

We will never ask for payment, passwords or codes from a new WhatsApp number. If someone does, it is not us: please report it.

We will post here as soon as our WhatsApp is back. Thank you for your patience.
[Business name]

Checklist: every place your WhatsApp link lives

Tick each place when it points to the backup channel, and again when you switch it back.

[ ] Website: header, footer, contact page and floating chat button (wa.me links)
[ ] QR codes on menus, packaging, receipts, flyers and shop windows
[ ] Google Business Profile: phone number and chat or website links
[ ] Map listings and directories
[ ] Instagram and Facebook profiles: WhatsApp buttons and bio links
[ ] Ads that click to WhatsApp: paused or redirected
[ ] Email signatures and invoices
[ ] Chatbot, CRM and helpdesk integrations that send to WhatsApp
[ ] Team scripts and autoresponders
[ ] Date checked: [date]