WhatsApp bans third-party apps: Here's how to recover your chats
What's the story
WhatsApp has started temporarily banning accounts that use third-party versions of the instant messaging app, such as WhatsApp Plus or GB WhatsApp.
In an FAQ post, the company has provided details about banning "unsupported" versions of WhatsApp and how users can recover their accounts and chats.
Here's everything to know if you have been "temporarily banned" on WhatsApp.
Security concerns
WhatsApp says third-party apps violate Terms of Service
In its post, WhatsApp mentions that third-party apps, such as WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp, are "altered versions of WhatsApp" and violate the company's Terms of Service.
The Facebook-owned service further notes that it doesn't "support these third-party apps because we can't validate their security practices."
However, you can still switch to the official WhatsApp app and transfer your chats.
Sign in
How to switch to the official WhatsApp app?
You can switch from a third-party version of WhatsApp to the official messaging app by simply downloading the official app and signing in.
However, mere signing in won't recover your chats present on the current third-party apps.
So, before you log in to the official app, back up your chat history.
Notably, WhatsApp has detailed this backup process for WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp.
Official process
Here's how to transfer chat history on GB WhatsApp
In order to back up chats, users will have to wait for the temporary ban to end.
Once ended, tap on More Options>Chats>Back up chats.
Then go to Phone Settings>tap Storage > Files to find and select GB WhatsApp.
Now, in the top-right corner tap More>Rename and rename the folder to "WhatsApp".
Finally, download and sign-in to official WhatsApp app and tap on Restore > Next on the Backup screen.
Information
WhatsApp Plus users can simply save chats for automatic transfer
If you are a WhatsApp Plus user, you only need to save your chat history. And if gets saved successfully, your chat history should automatically transfer to the official WhatsApp app.