WhatsApp has started showing Indian users a new prompt asking them to verify their SIM card. A user on X shared a screenshot of the message, which reads: “Allow WhatsApp to check the phone number on your SIM.”
The prompt gives users two options — “Continue” to allow the check, or “Not now” to skip it. WhatsApp says it needs phone permission to complete the verification due to regulatory requirements in India.
This is WhatsApp’s response to India’s SIM-binding rule, introduced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in November 2025. The rule requires messaging apps to confirm that the registered SIM card is physically present and active in the device.
If a user removes or deactivates their SIM, the app will stop working under this rule.
Back in February 2026, traces of SIM-binding code were spotted in a WhatsApp beta update for Android. Now it looks like the feature is rolling out to actual users in India.
It’s not yet clear if this is a full rollout or just limited testing. WhatsApp has not confirmed anything officially.
The DoT originally also wanted messaging apps to auto-logout of web sessions like WhatsApp Web every six hours. That rule was dropped after heavy pushback from the industry. The SIM-binding deadline has been extended to December 31, 2026, but WhatsApp appears to be getting ahead of it.
