The Indian government is making SIM binding compulsory for WhatsApp users in the country, and this rule could significantly change how you use your account across devices. Starting March 1, 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Telecom Cyber Security (TCS) Rules, 2024, will enforce mandatory SIM binding. In simple terms, your WhatsApp account will have to remain linked to the physical SIM card inserted in your primary phone.
The government has made it clear that there will be no extension beyond the February 28 deadline. According to the Union ministry, the decision is rooted in “national security” and the urgent need to curb rising cyber fraud cases across the country.
What is SIM binding
Across the globe, WhatsApp follows what it calls a “verify-once” model. You enter your phone number, receive a one-time password (OTP), and once your account is activated, you’re good to go. Even if you remove the SIM card later or use WhatsApp on linked devices like a laptop or tablet, the app continues to work without needing the SIM physically inside the phone.
But the new SIM binding rule will change this process completely for users in India.
Under the new framework introduced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), your WhatsApp account must remain continuously linked to the physical SIM card inserted in your primary device. In fact, the platform is expected to check roughly every six hours whether the registered SIM is actually inside your phone.
If you remove, replace, or deactivate that SIM card, WhatsApp will stop working until the original SIM is reinserted and verified again. This process will significantly impact how WhatsApp users in India access the platform across devices, including WhatsApp Web, desktop apps, tablets, and even secondary phones.
Why is the government doing this?
DoT has linked the decision of mandatory sim-binding to a sharp rise in sophisticated scams across the country. According to the government, in many cases scammers authenticate an Indian mobile number just once and then operate the WhatsApp account remotely, sometimes from outside India, making tracing and enforcement extremely difficult.
By enforcing SIM binding, the government wants to ensure that every active account remains tied to a KYC-verified SIM that is physically present in a device. Officials argue this will improve traceability, make it harder for fraudsters to operate anonymously, and help reduce financial losses. As per government data, cyber fraud losses in 2024 alone crossed Rs 22,800 crore.
WhatsApp starts the Sim-binding process
WhatsApp has reportedly already begun alerting some users in India with a message that reads: “Due to regulatory requirements in India, WhatsApp needs to check that your SIM card is in your phone.” Reports suggest that beta versions of the Android app are already testing this continuous verification system.
What changes from March 1?
Starting March 1, 2026, the biggest impact of the new SIM-binding rule will be felt in how people use WhatsApp across devices.
1. Continuous SIM verification: WhatsApp will now verify every 6 hours whether the SIM linked to your account is physically present in your phone or not. This process will effectively shut down the flexibility that allows users to authenticate once and then operate remotely for long periods.
2. Six-hour logout on Web and Desktop: If you rely heavily on WhatsApp Web or the desktop app for work, you will soon expect interruptions. Following the new rule, WhatsApp sessions will automatically log out every six hours on companion devices. To regain access, you’ll need your primary phone — with the active SIM inserted — to re-authenticate.
3. Restrictions on Linked Devices: Features such as “Linked Devices” (also known as Companion Mode), which allows usage on up to four additional devices without the primary phone being online, will face strict limitations. For users who use WhatsApp on devices like Wi-Fi-only tablets or secondary phones without SIM cards, they might have to keep logging in using the primary phone.
How to prepare your WhatsApp account for SIM binding
With the March 1 deadline approaching soon, here’s what users should do to avoid sudden disruptions:
– Ensure your WhatsApp account is linked to the SIM currently inserted in your primary phone. If you’ve swapped SIM cards recently, double-check that the active number matches your WhatsApp registration.
– Update the app to the latest version.
– Keep your primary device nearby if you use WhatsApp Web or Desktop for long hours. Since sessions may require frequent re-authentication, having your phone, with the active SIM inserted, will be essential.
