# WhatsApp Hijacked Through My Voicemail: How to Get Back In > WhatsApp hijacked through voicemail? How attackers grab codes from voicemail, how to get your account back, and how to lock voicemail down. - URL: https://www.awarexone.com/research/whatsapp-hijacked-through-voicemail - Author: Md Shariar Shanaz Shuvon, Founder & CEO, AwareXone - Published: 2026-10-29 - Topics: WhatsApp, Hacked accounts - Related service: WhatsApp account recovery: https://www.awarexone.com/social-media-recovery/whatsapp-account-recovery ## Short answer Attackers can hijack WhatsApp by requesting a voice-call code while your phone is busy or off, so the code goes to voicemail, then accessing the voicemail with a default PIN. To get back in, reinstall WhatsApp and verify your number with an SMS code. Then set a strong voicemail PIN and turn on two-step verification. ## Summary - Voice-call codes can go to voicemail. - Default voicemail PINs are easy to guess. - Re-verify your number to kick the attacker out. - Set a strong voicemail PIN or turn voicemail off. - Turn on two-step verification. The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore has warned about this route. Here's how it works. Last checked: 29 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide. ## How does it work? 1. The attacker requests a code for your number by voice call. 2. The call goes to voicemail. 3. They log into your voicemail with a default PIN. 4. They read the code and take over WhatsApp. > Warning: **One wrong step can cost you the account.** One wrong step can cost you the account, so know what you are doing before you start. If you are not sure, do not submit an appeal yet. Ask AwareXone for a free expert review first, then act. WhatsApp's Can't register phone number page says that for security reasons, the registration code is only sent by SMS or phone call, except that it can be sent by email if you're re-registering and already added an email address to your account. Enter your full international number with the country code and no leading zeros, wait for the timer to finish, which can take up to 10 minutes, and choose Call me if the SMS doesn't arrive. Don't guess the code, or you'll be locked out for a period of time. If you see You have guessed the code too many times, wait the time shown; WhatsApp says there's no way to make it faster. ## How do I get back in? 1. Reinstall WhatsApp. 2. Verify your number by SMS. 3. If asked for a two-step PIN you didn't set, wait 7 days, then re-verify. 4. Warn your contacts. WhatsApp's How to recover a compromised account page says to tap Log back in, enter your full international phone number and the 6-digit code you receive by SMS or phone call. Re-registering with that code automatically logs out every device logged into your account. If you're asked for a two-step verification PIN you don't know, someone else using the account may have turned it on; WhatsApp says to wait 7 days and try again, and that anyone using your account is logged out once you enter the SMS code either way. WhatsApp also says changing your password won't remove someone else: re-registering with the code is the only way. WhatsApp warns that if you report the compromised account you're trying to recover, it might be banned and you could lose access to your account or data, so recover it first. It also recommends telling family and friends, because the person using your account could impersonate you in chats and groups, and says WhatsApp notifies you when someone tries to register an account with your phone number. Never share your registration code with anyone, not even friends or family. ## How do I protect voicemail? | Step | Why | | --- | --- | | Change the voicemail PIN | Stops access | | Disable voicemail | No code to grab | | Two-step verification | Blocks re-registration | Related guides: [WhatsApp Says "Try Again in X Hours" for My Code: Is My Number Blocked?](https://www.awarexone.com/research/whatsapp-try-again-in-hours-code), [WhatsApp "Security Code Changed": Has Someone Cloned My Number?](https://www.awarexone.com/research/whatsapp-security-code-changed), [Someone Removed Me as WhatsApp Group Admin: Can I Get Control Back?](https://www.awarexone.com/research/whatsapp-removed-as-group-admin). WhatsApp's Account security tips page lists the extra layers you can turn on once you have access: an email address, which lets you recover the account without SMS or a phone call; two-step verification; a password; a passkey linked to your phone's fingerprint, face or screen lock; app lock; chat lock; and, for people who may be targeted, strict account settings. WhatsApp says these features can't restore lost access or remove someone already using your account; in that case, recover the account first. WhatsApp's About linked devices page says you can link up to four devices at a time to your main phone, and that you still need the phone to register your account and link new devices. To review them, go to Settings, then Linked devices, and tap a device and Log out to remove it. WhatsApp disconnects linked devices automatically after 30 days of inactivity, and they log out if your phone is unused for more than 14 days. Turn on push notifications so you're alerted when a device is linked, and only link through official WhatsApp apps and websites: WhatsApp says linking to an unofficial app may result in a temporary or permanent ban. ## What common mistakes should I avoid? - Keeping the default voicemail PIN. - Skipping two-step verification. - Not warning contacts. - Sharing codes with 'friends'. ## How do I keep the account safe while I sort this out? - Never share a login code, password or backup code with anyone, including people who say they work for Meta, the police or a recovery service. - Make sure the email address and phone number on the account are ones you still control, and remove any you do not recognise. - Turn on two-factor authentication where the platform offers it, ideally with an authenticator app, and keep your backup codes somewhere offline. - Log in only from the official app or by typing the address yourself, not from links in messages, comments or ads. - Keep screenshots of every notice, email and step you take, with dates, in case you need them for a review or a report. - Make one careful attempt at each official step rather than many rushed ones, because repeated failed attempts can trigger extra checks. ## When It Is Safer to Get Expert Help Ask for help before you appeal if the account matters to your income, your business or your memories, if you have already had one appeal rejected, or if you cannot tell whether the problem is a bug, a restriction or a hack. That is where most avoidable losses happen. AwareXone has solved 1,300+ cases and works only through official platform processes. Support is available 24 hours, every day. We never ask for your password, login codes or backup codes, and we never name our clients. [Request a free case review](https://www.awarexone.com/contact?interest=account-recovery-case) or [message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/601137634679). Malaysian cases are priced in MYR; other markets are quoted in USD after review. AwareXone is independent and not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or Threads. Recovery work is best-effort and the platform makes the final decision. ### Do I need to contact my carrier? It helps. The code can be sent by phone call, so ask your carrier to set or reset a strong voicemail PIN. Recover WhatsApp first by re-registering with the 6-digit code. ### Can the attacker read old chats? WhatsApp's recovery page doesn't say what an attacker could see. Recover quickly: re-registering logs out every device on your account, and then check Linked devices. ### Should I report to police? If money was asked for or lost, yes, report it to your local police or national scam line. Tell your contacts too, because WhatsApp says the person could impersonate you in chats and groups. ### Can you help? Yes. AwareXone can walk you through recovery and lock-down steps in a free case review. ### Can AwareXone check my case before I appeal? Yes. AwareXone offers a free case review: tell us what WhatsApp shows on your screen and what you've tried, and we'll explain the safest next step. ## Official sources - [Official: Protecting Yourself From WhatsApp Hijacking (read 29 October 2026)](https://www.csa.gov.sg/alerts-and-advisories/advisories/ad-2020-007/) - [Official: How to recover a compromised account (read 29 October 2026)](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131652977717250) - [Official: About two-step verification (read 29 October 2026)](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1278661612895630) - [Official: Account security tips (read 29 October 2026)](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1095301557782068) - [Official: Can't register phone number (read 29 October 2026)](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1369114327051380) - [Official: About linked devices (read 29 October 2026)](https://faq.whatsapp.com/378279804439436) --- AwareXone is an independent Malaysia-based provider, not affiliated with any platform. The platform makes the final decision on every account. AwareXone never asks for passwords, OTP codes, backup codes or session cookies.