Whatnot Account Setup: Profile, Verification & Settings

Getting your Whatnot account setup right takes about fifteen minutes, but it affects everything that follows: whether your seller application looks credible, whether buyers trust your shop, and whether you can recover your account if something goes wrong. A blurry profile picture, an unverified phone number or the wrong ship-from address can all cause problems later.

This guide walks through each step in order: creating the account, verifying your phone number and email, fixing verification code problems, building a profile that looks professional, and changing your address or phone number later. It finishes with the extra setup steps sellers need before going live.

Whatnot updates its app regularly, so menu names and positions can change. We describe each setting by what it does. If you cannot find something, search Whatnot's help center for the feature name. For the full selling roadmap, see our guide on how to sell on Whatnot.

Creating Your Whatnot Account

You can sign up in the Whatnot mobile app on iOS or Android, or on Whatnot's website. The same account is used for buying and selling.

1. Download the app or visit the website and choose to sign up.
2. Choose a sign-up method, such as email or a supported sign-in option.
3. Enter your phone number and confirm it with the verification code Whatnot sends.
4. Confirm your email address if prompted.
5. Choose a username. If you plan to sell, pick a name that fits your niche and is easy to remember and spell.
6. Pick your interests so your feed shows relevant shows.
7. Add a profile picture and bio (covered below).

Use accurate personal details. Sellers must be 18 or older, and identity checks for payouts and taxes need to match. See the full Whatnot seller requirements.

Choosing a Seller-Friendly Username

Your username becomes your shop name in practice. Good usernames are short, readable aloud (you will say it on stream), and hint at what you sell. Avoid long strings of numbers, names that imitate brands or other sellers, and anything you would be embarrassed to say on camera. Changing your username later may be possible, but it can confuse followers, so choose carefully.

How to Verify Your Phone Number on Whatnot

Whatnot uses phone verification to protect accounts and reduce fraud. During sign-up, or when you change your number, Whatnot sends a one-time code by text message.

1. Enter your mobile number with the correct country code.
2. Wait for the text containing your verification code.
3. Enter the code in the app before it expires.
4. Confirm that your number shows as verified in your account settings.

A verified number also matters for account security. If you ever lose access to your email or need to reset your login, a verified phone makes recovery much easier.

Whatnot Verification Code Not Working? Fixes to Try

Verification code problems are one of the most common sign-up frustrations. Work through these fixes in order.

If none of these work, contact Whatnot support through the official help center. Our Whatnot customer service guide explains how to reach the right team.

How to Make a Whatnot Profile Picture That Builds Trust

Your profile picture appears next to your username in chat, on your shop and in show listings. For sellers, it is part of your brand.

Profile Picture Best Practices

• Use a square image. Profile photos usually display as a small circle, so center the subject and leave space around the edges.
• Keep it simple. A bold logo or a clear, friendly photo of your face reads well at small sizes. Fine detail and small text disappear.
• Use good light and contrast. A plain background helps your logo or face stand out.
• Match your other channels. Using the same image on Whatnot and social media helps followers recognize you.
• Do not use brand logos you do not own. A trading card company or sneaker brand logo as your profile image can imply an affiliation you do not have.

Creating a Simple Logo

You do not need a designer. A free online design tool or even your phone's photo editor can produce a clean logo: your shop name in a bold font on a solid color, perhaps with a simple icon related to your niche. Test it at thumbnail size before uploading. Our Whatnot shop branding guide covers logos, colors and thumbnails together.

Writing Your Bio

Your bio is a short pitch. Tell visitors what you sell, how often you go live and what makes your shop worth following. For example: "Vintage tees and 90s streetwear. Live Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8pm ET. Ships within two business days." Avoid promises you cannot keep.

How to Change Your Address on Whatnot

There are two different addresses to think about.

Your Shipping Address as a Buyer

This is where purchases are delivered. You can update it in your account or payment and shipping settings. Do it before you bid or buy, because once an order is placed and a label is created, changing the destination is much harder. If you have already placed an order with the wrong address, message the seller and contact Whatnot support as quickly as possible.

Your Ship-From Address as a Seller

Sellers set a ship-from address that appears on prepaid labels and may be used to calculate shipping. Update it in your seller or shipping settings if you move or change where you pack orders. Check it before every show if you ship from different locations. A wrong ship-from address can cause returned packages to go to the wrong place. For more on labels, see how to print Whatnot shipping labels.

Some sellers prefer not to show their home address on labels. Options such as a PO box or private mailbox may be possible depending on carrier and Whatnot rules; check the help center before changing your setup.

How to Change Your Phone Number on Whatnot

If you get a new number, update it promptly so verification codes and security alerts reach you.

1. Open your account or profile settings while logged in.
2. Find the phone number field and choose to edit it.
3. Enter the new number with the correct country code.
4. Verify the new number with the code Whatnot sends.
5. Confirm the change shows in your settings.

If you no longer have access to your old number and Whatnot requires it to confirm the change, contact support. Be ready to verify your identity, and use only the official help center.

Extra Setup Steps for Sellers

Once your basic account is set up, sellers need a few more pieces in place. These usually come after your seller application is approved.

• Payout details: link a bank account so earnings can be paid out after orders ship and clear. See Whatnot payouts.
• Tax information: US sellers may need to provide tax details for 1099-K reporting. The federal threshold is more than $20,000 and more than 200 transactions per year, with lower thresholds in some states; all profit is taxable, so speak with a tax professional. See Whatnot 1099 taxes.
• Shipping settings: set your ship-from address and review options like combined shipping. See our Whatnot shipping guide.
• Notifications: turn on alerts for orders and messages so you never miss a sale or buyer question.
• Seller tools: explore your dashboard with our Whatnot Seller Hub guide.

Notification, Payment and Privacy Settings Worth Reviewing

Once the essentials are done, spend a few minutes in the rest of your settings. These are easy to overlook and can save you trouble later.

Notifications

Whatnot can notify you when sellers you follow go live, when you win an auction, when orders ship and when you receive messages. As a buyer, trimming notifications to the shops you care about keeps your phone from buzzing all evening. As a seller, the opposite applies: make sure alerts for new orders, buyer messages and shipping issues are switched on, including for marketplace listings that sell while you are offline. A missed message can quickly turn into a late shipment or an unhappy buyer.

Payment Methods

Buyers need a saved payment method to bid, because winning bids are charged automatically. Check that your card details and billing address are current before a show you plan to bid in; a declined payment after winning can cause problems with the seller. Our guide to Whatnot payment methods explains the options.

Privacy and Blocking

Review what information appears on your public profile and keep personal details out of your bio. Learn where the block and report options are in chat and on profiles, so you can deal quickly with anyone who harasses you or your viewers. Sellers who use moderators should agree in advance on when to remove disruptive users from a show.

Keeping Your Whatnot Account Secure

Your account holds payment methods, payouts and your shop's reputation. Protect it with these habits:

• Use a strong, unique password if your sign-in method uses one, and keep your email account secure.
• Keep your phone number current and verified.
• Never share verification codes or log in through links sent by strangers.
• Do not share your account with moderators or helpers; use Whatnot's moderator permissions instead.
• Run one account in good standing. Read about multiple Whatnot accounts before creating another.
• Follow the rules to avoid suspensions. See Whatnot account banned or suspended if something goes wrong.

If you are setting up an account as the first step of a reselling business and want guidance on sourcing and selling, the free Marketplace SuperHeroes workshop is designed for beginners. It is independent of Whatnot, and its organizers say results are not typical and are not guaranteed.

Next Steps

With your account verified and your profile looking sharp, you are ready to apply to sell. Use our Whatnot seller application guide to maximize your chances, and check the seller requirements checklist to make sure nothing is missing. Revisit your settings every few months, or whenever you move, change phones or switch banks, so your account stays accurate and secure.