I'm in a bit of a bind here and really need some help with my WhatsApp account. I recently switched from a Pixel 7 Pro to a Pixel 8 Pro, and now I can't log into WhatsApp. Everything on my phone is fully updated, and I've tried reinstalling the official version of WhatsApp several times. Both my old and new phones are running standard Android without any tweaks.
The error message I keep getting says: "You need the official WhatsApp to log in. The app you are using has privacy and security risks. You can no longer use this app to access your WhatsApp chats." I've taken quite a few troubleshooting steps already, like reinstalling the app, restarting my phone, trying both Wi-Fi and mobile data, requesting new verification codes (which I do receive), ensuring the date and time are set correctly, and checking for updates. I've always used the official WhatsApp app.
Edit: I can still log in on the Pixel 7 Pro, but linking devices is currently impossible. WhatsApp support isn't much help; they keep sending back the same automated responses. Can anyone assist?
1 Answer
That error is definitely strange, especially since you’re using the official app and everything is stock. It seems WhatsApp is detecting something off with your new device or maybe how the app was transferred. If you used any transfer tools when setting up your new phone, that might be the culprit. I'd recommend keeping your Pixel 7 Pro logged in for now, just in case. You could try completely wiping WhatsApp from the Pixel 8 Pro—clear cache and storage, uninstall it, then download it fresh from the Play Store instead of restoring.
Yeah, I wiped and restored it several times from the Play Store but had no luck. The media restore gets stuck but I can still chat on the Pixel 7 Pro.