You no longer need to use your phone number when you install WhatsApp somewhere for the first time. Your email address is now also valid.

When you install WhatsApp on a phone for the first time, authentication is required using the phone number associated with your account. After entering the number, you will receive a code via SMS that you can use to log in. Until now there was no other way to log in.

If you temporarily have no cell phone reception or have problems with your SIM card, you can still activate WhatsApp using an email address. Be careful, this is a second verification method. A phone number is still required to use a WhatsApp account.

Currently, only the iOS version of WhatsApp supports signing in using an email address. The Android version already supports it in beta. The public version should support the feature soon. Would you like to join the WhatsApp for Android beta program? You can do this by registering here.

To add your email address to WhatsApp, follow these steps:

• Tap the three dots at the top and choose Institutions.
• Go to Account and select there E-mail.
• Enter your email address and click “Confirm”.
• Go to your inbox and enter the code

From now on you have an additional verification method available that you can use to prove your identity.