# WhatsApp restricted your account: check the time remaining

By HeyMark · Updated November 5, 2026

If you see the in-app message “Your account is restricted right now,” you can check the remaining time and see which features are still available. Open **New chat** and check the timer with a contact you have never chatted with.

## Check the time remaining

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap **New chat**.
2. Choose a contact you have never chatted with from your account. You do not need to send a message.
3. Read the time shown in the pop-up. WhatsApp says it appears while the restriction is active; it does not set one universal duration for every account.

The restriction ends automatically when the allocated time passes. WhatsApp sends a notification when it ends. WhatsApp’s help does not ask you to request a review for this notice.

## What you can do while you wait

You can keep communicating with contacts and groups you have previously exchanged chats or calls with. During the restriction, WhatsApp limits starting chats or calls with new contacts, creating groups, adding members to groups, and using linked devices. You may also be logged out of some companion devices.

## Confirm that you have the restriction notice

The timer and these limits apply to the restricted account message. If the notice says **“This account can't use WhatsApp,”** WhatsApp treats that as a banned account and links to a separate process. If you see **“Account locked due to inactivity,”** it says to register your number again. Check the exact wording before following guidance for another situation.

If you use WhatsApp Business and the message says the account cannot use WhatsApp, see [how to request a review of the ban](https://heymark.ai/en/solutions/whatsapp-business-account-banned-appeal/).

[Read WhatsApp’s official explanation of restricted accounts](https://faq.whatsapp.com/717472490411581/?lang=en).

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need to request a review for a temporary WhatsApp restriction?

Not for the restricted account notice: WhatsApp says it ends automatically when the allocated time passes. A banned account or a notice saying the account cannot use WhatsApp is a different situation.

### How can I check how long the restriction lasts?

In the app, tap New chat and choose someone you have never chatted with. If the restriction is still active, a pop-up shows the time remaining.

### Why can I talk to existing contacts but not start new chats?

The restriction lets you keep communicating with contacts and groups you previously exchanged chats or calls with, while limiting new chats and calls, groups, adding members, and linked devices.

## See it on your own accounts.

Connect Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube and use HeyMark free for 7 days. Mark answers in your voice, and you approve what goes out.

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## Developer and agent resources

- [HeyMark MCP documentation](https://heymark.ai/en/mcp/)
- [llms.txt](https://heymark.ai/llms.txt)
- [Full site content for language models](https://heymark.ai/llms-full.txt)
- MCP protocol endpoint: `POST https://mcp.heymark.ai`
- OAuth protected-resource metadata: [/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource](https://mcp.heymark.ai/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource)
- MCP server card: [/server-card](https://mcp.heymark.ai/server-card)