Check WhatsApp linked devices after a suspicious message

WhatsApp can show conversations on linked computers or other devices. If messages appear that you did not send, checking the phone number alone misses an already linked session. A linked device is also different from a trusted sign-in device in WhatsApp's two-step verification settings.

Review the sessions​

1. On your primary phone, open WhatsApp and find Linked devices in Settings on iPhone or the main menu on Android. Compare each entry with computers and devices you actually use.
2. Tap an unfamiliar device and log it out. If you cannot confidently identify the sessions and suspect someone has access, log out of active web sessions and relink only devices you control.
3. Open Settings → Account → Two-step verification and check the options available on your version of WhatsApp. Set a strong secret and a recovery method you control. WhatsApp is changing its older six-digit PIN flow to a password, so follow the app's current prompts rather than a fixed screenshot.
4. Ask a trusted contact whether they received suspicious messages from you. Warn people through another channel if they did, especially if a message requested a code, payment or link click.

What this check cannot tell you​

WhatsApp says it cannot provide a log of who accessed the account or precisely when and where through these sessions. Logging out stops future access from that linked device but cannot retract messages already read or copied. Its linked-device instructions explain the control, and its registration and two-step page describes the changing sign-in protection. If an unexpected registration code arrived instead, use our registration-code checklist.