WhatsApp has temporarily banned the account of those who were using the altered versions of their platform and according to the company, those who have received an in-app message stating their account is “Temporarily banned” were likely using an unsupported version of WhatsApp.

Through an announcement, WhatsApp also bared the possibility that the temporarily banned accounts may be permanently banned if the users will not shift to the official WhatsApp app.

“If you don’t switch to the official app after being temporarily banned, your account might be permanently banned from using WhatsApp,” stated the company.

WhatsApp further explained that apps such as WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp, or other apps which claim to move WhatsApp chats between phones, are “altered versions of WhatsApp.”

The abovementioned unofficial apps are said to be developed by third parties and violate WhatsApp’s Terms of Service. “WhatsApp doesn’t support these third-party apps because we can’t validate their security practices,” the company stated.

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Switch to the Official Version of WhatsApp by Following These Steps

There might be a need for you to backup your chat history before moving to the official WhatsApp app, according to the company.

Since the name of the unsupported app which you were using determines whether or not there is a need for you to transfer your chat history, locate the name of the app first by following these steps: More Options > Settings > Help > App info.

Once determined which unsupported app you’re using, follow one of the steps below. If you’re not using either WhatsApp Plus or GB WhatsApp, WhatsApp suggests you to save your history before downloading the official version of the app.

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GB WhatsApp

Here are the steps WhatsApp recommends you to follow to save and transfer your chat history. “Failure to follow these steps could result in lost chat history,” reminded the company.

1. Wait for your temporary ban to end.
   • The timer will show you the length of the ban.
2. In GB WhatsApp, tap More options > Chats > Back up chats.
3. Go to Phone Settings > tap Storage > Files.
4. Find the folder GB WhatsApp and tap and hold to select it.
5. Tap More > Rename and rename the folder to “WhatsApp”.
6. Navigate to the Play Store and download the official WhatsApp app.
7. ,Verify your phone number in WhatsApp.
8. On the Backup found screen, tap Restore > Next.
9. WhatsApp should load with your existing chats.

However, the WhatsApp noted that they can’t guarantee a successful chat history transfer because WhatsApp doesn’t support unofficial apps.

WhatsApp Plus

If your chat history was previously saved, it should automatically transfer to the official WhatsApp app.

1. Navigate to the Play Store and download the WhatsApp app.
2. Verify your phone number.

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Source: WhatsApp