You’re trying to talk to your friends and family using WhatsApp on your iPhone, but it’s not working properly. WhatsApp is the preferred communication app of many iPhone users, so when it stops working, it affects a lot of people. In this article, I’ll explain what to do when WhatsApp is not working on an iPhone so you can fix the problem for good!
Why Is WhatsApp Not Working On My iPhone?
At this point, we can’t be exactly sure why WhatsApp is not working on your iPhone, but it’s most likely a software issue with your iPhone or the app itself. You probably received an error notification that says “WhatsApp Is Temporarily Unavailable.” Poor connection to Wi-Fi, software crashes, outdated app software, or WhatsApp server maintenance are all things that could be causing WhatsApp to malfunction on your iPhone.
Follow the steps below to diagnose and fix the real reason why WhatsApp is not working on your iPhone so you get back to chatting with your friends!
What To Do When WhatsApp Is Not Working On Your iPhone
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Restart Your iPhone
When WhatsApp is not working, the first thing to do is restart your iPhone, which can occasionally resolve minor software glitches or bugs. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the power button (also known as the Sleep / Wake button) until the power slider appears on the screen.
If your iPhone has Face ID, simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button. Release both buttons when “slide to power off” appears on the screen.
Drag the power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone.
Wait about thirty seconds, then press and hold the power or side button again until the Apple logo appears on the center of the screen. -
Close WhatsApp On Your iPhone
When WhatsApp is not working on your iPhone, there’s a decent chance that the app itself is malfunctioning. Sometimes, closing out of the app and reopening it can fix those minor app glitches.
To close WhatsApp, double-click the Home button to open up the app switcher, which displays all of the apps currently open on your iPhone. If your iPhone doesn’t have a Home button, swipe up from the very bottom of the screen to the center of the screen. Hold your finger in the center of the screen until the app switcher opens.
Once the app switcher opens, swipe WhatsApp up and off the screen. You’ll know it’s closed when it no longer appears in the app switcher.
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Check The Server Status Of WhatsApp
Occasionally, major apps like WhatsApp undergo routine server maintenance. You may not be able to use WhatsApp while it’s undergoing server maintenance. Take a look at these reports to see if the WhatsApp servers are down or undergoing maintenance.
If they are, you just have to wait it out. WhatsApp will be back online soon!
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Check For An Update To WhatsApp
App developers frequently release updates to their apps in order to add new features and fix existing bugs. If you’re running an outdated version of the app, it could be the reason why WhatsApp is not working on your iPhone.
To check for an update, open the App Store and tap on your Account Icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Scroll down to find the list of apps with available updates. If an update is available for WhatsApp, tap the Update button to its right, or tap Update All at the top of the list.
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Delete WhatsApp and Reinstall It
Another way to troubleshoot a malfunctioning app is to delete and reinstall it on your iPhone. If a file within WhatsApp has become corrupted, deleting the app and reinstalling it will give the app a fresh start on your iPhone.
Press and hold the WhatsApp icon until the menu appears. Tap Remove App -> Delete App -> Delete.
Don’t worry — your WhatsApp account won’t be deleted if you uninstall the app on your iPhone, but you’ll have to reenter your login information when you open the app again after reinstalling it.
To reinstall WhatsApp on your iPhone, open the App Store and tap on the Search tab at the bottom of the screen. Type “WhatsApp” into the search bar, then tap the cloud icon to the right of WhatsApp in the results.
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Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On
If you use Wi-Fi while using WhatsApp, the app may not be working because of an issue with your iPhone’s connection to Wi-Fi. Just like restarting your iPhone, turning Wi-Fi off and back on can sometimes fix minor connectivity bugs or glitches.
To turn Wi-Fi off, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the switch next to Wi-Fi. You’ll know Wi-Fi is off when the switch is gray. To turn Wi-Fi back on, tap the switch again — you’ll know it’s on when it’s green!
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Forget Your Wi-Fi Network, Then Reconnect
A more in-depth Wi-Fi troubleshooting is to forget your Wi-Fi network, then reconnect your iPhone to it. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network for the very first time, your iPhone stores information about how to connect to that Wi-Fi network.
If any part of that process changes, it may affect your iPhone’s ability to connect to the Wi-Fi network. By forgetting the network and reconnecting, it’ll be like connecting your iPhone to the Wi-Fi network for the very first time.
To forget a Wi-Fi network, go to Settings -> Wi-Fi and tap the Information button (look for the blue i) next to the Wi-Fi network you want your iPhone to forget. Then, tap Forget This Network -> Forget.
To reconnect to the Wi-Fi network, tap on it in the list of networks under Choose A Network… and enter the Wi-Fi password, if the network has one.
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Try Cellular Data Instead Of Wi-Fi
If Wi-Fi isn’t working, try using Cellular Data instead of Wi-Fi. If WhatsApp works with Cellular Data but not Wi-Fi, you’ll know it’s your Wi-Fi network that’s causing the problem.
First, open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Turn off the switch next to Wi-Fi.
Next, tap back to the main page of Settings and tap Cellular. Make sure the switch next to Cellular Data is on.
Open WhatsApp and see if it’s working now. If WhatsApp is working, you’ve identified an issue with your Wi-Fi network. Check out our other article to learn how to fix Wi-Fi issues.
What’s Up, WhatsApp?
You’ve successfully fixed WhatsApp on your iPhone and you can get back to chatting with your friends and family. Next time WhatsApp is not working on your iPhone, make sure to come back to this article for this fix! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them down below in the comments section.
Hi I had what’s app working for around 4 days then all of a sudden nothing so uninstalled and reinstalled but I accept terms and conditions then it ask to add ph number then it goes to retrieving credentials then it goes to confirm if this number correct hit yes then it just stays on that screen very frustrating
Same as Zee..I have tried all this not working mine issue is that I can’t even type my number to register at all and have been using WhatsApp on the iPhone before deleting it
I’m facing the same issue.💔😩
I have tried all this not working mine issue is that I can’t even type my number to register at all and have been using WhatsApp on the iPhone before deleting it
I have the same problem! Can anyone help?😩
Me too..did you set up yours?
How did you solve tjis issue?
Mine is currently having the same issue. How did u sort urs
Someone has hacked my WhatsApp account and is now using my contacts to prey on friends and family? Tried deleting and reinstalling but WhatsApp always says it’s has sent me a code, then says I must wait for hours. Help!
Every time I try installing my WhatsApp I can’t get a code
I just updated my WhatsApp And it ain’t opening it will show the logo and go blank and the problem now is that if I delete the app and reinstall it I don’t have the number I used in opening the account anymore pls what can I do
Hello ,I had an android phone but smashed screen ,I have been given an iPhone 5 to use which I have put my sim in ,my patner received a message from me on WhatsApp that I had sent another number even though I cannot download WhatsApp on my iPhone & then he rung me of WhatsApp & I could answer it does make any sence to me
wife’s whatsapp says it is confirming her number by sending an SMS to her number–it does NOT show up. after several attempts, it has been blocking her for 48 hours at a time now. What should we do next?
I am unable to open whatsapp on my iphone. I tried all of the above except deleing and reinstalling whatsapp
I have 900+ messages if i uninstall whatsapp will it delete all the messages?
Hi dear,
I’m facing the same issue. My whatsapp is crashing as I tap on the icon. It is not even opening to take backup. I’ve years of chats which is around 14gb. Can you please tell me what exactly you have done to fix this issue. Were you able to restore all those messages. I’m waiting for your reply. Will be thankful of you see my comment and replied back at earliest.
I have just bought iphone 13 now I can not access whatsapp, telegraph, or utube through wifi
entahla🫶🏻
I have recently gotten a iphone 11 and trying to gt my whatsapp onto it..
Keeps telling me that it cant send a MSM to my number I provided. Which has the old sim card in it.
recognizes the carrier
Ave done everything still not working
I can’t upload on my status
Whats app is playing up on Iphone. already deleted/reinstalled whats app, erased phone and restored as new and tried another handset. Whats app still playing up, glitches, disappearing etc – can it be anything to do with my apple profile or settings or what do you suggest?
Thank you for the tips, but it did not fix my problem. Whatsapp, which worked fine before, stopped working about a week ago. Whatsapp is still not working on my iphone despite trying all the steps above and contacting my network provider. Any further suggestions would be welcome.
There may be an issue with your WhatsApp account. You could probably test this by creating a new account to see if the issue persists. If it does, I’d reach out to WhatsApp support.
Hi David! I don’t know what’s happening but I keep losing numbers as they keep getting banned from using Whatsapp. I’ve lost about 4-5 different numbers all cos of bans for no reason. I’m using regular whatsapp & whatsapp business on my iphone 11 pro and the numbers I used on the Whatsapp app keep getting banned. Some not even up to a day or two of use but the number in the Whatsapp business is still active. Why is that? Is Whatsapp attached to my Apple ID? Could someone tell my apple ID if they receive my message and… Read more »
I have been having issues with WhatsApp after Mcafee somehow installed itself on iphone. Deleted Mcafee; uninstalled WhatsApp and tried to install again from apple store. BUT I cannot get past Privacy Policy – there is Agree/Accept button. There has been no request received for security code -keeps going in circles. WhatsApp support have not been able to assist despite sending them video of what is happening. I have also posted issue on apple app store. I do not have WhatsApp on any other devices. I have shut iphone down and restarted before trying to install. There is no VPN… Read more »
Have you gotten a solution yet
Thanks so much for being a tech 🙂 I was trying to clear all chats since three days without success, but never realised I could delete the whole WhatsApp and reinstall. it solved my hung wts app problem.
after deleting and reinstalling whatsapp would i t ask the same whatsapp number again? because I use a whatsapp number which i dont have the sim.
I’m using WhatsApp business, I can’t open chat rooms read or reply messages when the network is connected I checked for update but none, if I delete to reinstall will I loose the chats and groups I’m in? kindly help I don’t want to loose this app it helps my business
WhatsApp has a good guide on what to do before uninstalling the app if you don’t want to lose your chats.
Switch my WhatsApp from iPhone to my Samsung now I’m trying to get it back to my iPhone but it ain’t working my Snapchat too crashes can’t send or receive messages
i would recommend you delete any vpn on the phone. i just did mine and it worked, Whatsapp and other app working perfectly.
Thank you Rid. this worked a whole lot. delete any VPN you have on your phone.
I have done all possible solutions. Still, I am not able to upload a status, send or receive messages on WhatsApp. I bought my iPhone 12 20 days ago and I am facing this serious issue from that time. I have visited the iPhone service center and talked with the iPhone care people and they are not helping me. They said it’s not their problem and to contact the developers. Then, I contacted to the WhatsApp Developer as well, but their solution is not workable. The same WhatsApp is working fine on my iPhone 11 and in Android devices as… Read more »
I have done everything to my iPhone, but still it’s not working. I have reset the network facilities, but it’s still not working. Also, it affects my Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. I have tried my best to make sure it is working. Please help me out of it. ??????????
That’s just happened to a friend of mine who has an iPhone 8. Any ideas?
Could you find a solution. I have same problem
Moving to the UK and all the a sudden I can’t post anything on my WhatsApp status. Neither can I send pictures through the chat or send a voice message. Please, can you help me out?
When I download WhatsApp it’s normal, right? But when I came off for a bit my WhatsApp dark mode is green. I don’t understand this.
I’ve tried all of the above. I’m in the UK and have been speaking to my friend in Denmark verbally via WhatsApp for two years. Nothing has changed, same network, same phone, same location, and now for some reason neither of us can connect to speak using WhatsApp. Please help if you can.
I did everything, deleted & reinstalled. Still it won’t work. Says bad internet connection. I check the settings and it is fine. The thing is it’s still not working!
I have done everything but still it doesn’t work. Please help me.
I am connected to the internet but the Whatsapp and Facebook apps are not working on my iPhone. I did reset my Network Settings, uninstall Whatsapp and Facebook, and reinstall them. But it keeps saying the internet is not connected .I checked with both Wi-Fi and cellular.
None of these worked.
My name’s Muna and I’ve tried all you’ve said above but it’s still not working. It also affected my Instagram.
I can’t make any calls. It tells me that I’m already on another call, which isn’t the case.
No video or voice calls.
Can’t find the cause.
Hi Alexandra! Have you tried updating WhatsApp recently? It might be encountering a software bug that the WhatsApp developers repaired in a later version of its software. To check if WhatsApp is up to date, open the App Store and tap on your account icon. Then, scroll down until you see WhatsApp. If you see that there’s an update available, try installing it and see if that fixes the problem. I hope this helps!
For a couple of weeks WA has been droppin’ out on pc-desktop. All suggested done, no help.
Sounds like this might be a problem with your PC. Best of luck!
The combination worked perfectly with WA until it didn’t anymore. No changes done – it just started droppin’n’drippin’… Signing out’n’n fixes the problem – till WA is used, then it’s out again. Ridddicccilous!
Awful answer. Same thing here, tried on 3 different PCs and same issue. The problem is more likely to be with the phone connection than the PCs. No fix but restoring to factory settings the iPhone, after tried restoring network settings.
Hello my whatsapp doesn’t open and gives me only black screen then it closes
I have the exact same issue. What did you do to solve it? I know it happened a year ago, but incase you remember it will be really helpful.
did you solve it
Have Samsung A21. When video call from Whats App comes through, there is a screaching sound that comes through in the background and other users on the call can hear this. Can you assist?
Hi, I can’t open my whatsapp and I tried to delete it and reinstall also I can’t.
my whats app is not working. When i open whats app, I can see all my chats, but can’t open any of those !
Also when i click settings, then some times it opens but then also, nothing is working. Then whats app gets off suddenly !!!
Did you get this fixed ?? I can’t do it same issues can’t open conversation ?? How do I open them ? Looks like this issues has been going on for a year now with no resolution!! App needs to me deleted if can’t open convos !
i cant upload a status video or photo in iphone 11 pro
Whats app stopped working on my iphone I deleted and re enstalled, switched phone off, reset phone still says no internet connection
This article may be able to help you if you get a “no internet connection” message.
Facebook,WhatsApp,safari and some other social media app not longer working on my phone again and those app are fully updated. Please help me what can I do?
Have you checked your connection to the internet? If many apps aren’t working, you may not have a clean internet connection.
I just got an iphone X and can’t make voice or video calls on whatsapp. I’ve tried everything suggested here and nothing has worked.
I deleted whatsapp for now and ill just have to wait for awhile. Maybe i’m missing something.
My iphone 4 is not downloading whatsapp 8.0, how do I install 7.0 whatsapp?
Whatsapp is not installing on my no. as it is giving me the notifications of ” Cant registered with this no., use that no. that was last used with whatsapp on this phone”. bt, i use this no. only and the last no. that was used on this device in same iphone is same as what i m using this time. pls tell me the solution.
And no option to download previous version 🙁
Whats up with the new update 2.18.51 its not working on iPhone? I deleted it and re-installed it, I restarted my phone. It just flashes and not even allowe me to open whatsup
thank you so much all ok now xx
I have done all of the above measures but still it isn’t working
I did everything I could possibly do, still didn’t work. ;(
ey i have the same problem as ole nilsens
Stopped working after latest update. After that I have done what been said here and updated my iphone os. After reinstalling it ask for access to my contacy list, I answer yes and it close. I restart and it ask if it can notify me with sounds, I answer yes and it close again. After that when I try to start it only flashes and close.
Upgraded my phone and WhatsApp and Messenger plus Apple support show no access to the internet. Have tried all the above and Virgin Mobile and Broadband support have been going through solutions. If I delete WhatsApp and reinstall I get my most recent messages but still can’t send and then it stops complete once I try to send. I have now spent hours with Virgin first line support. They even sent me a new phone and a new SIM. It is a bit of a disaster My internet access is fine and Messenger works on my ipad mini 5 Everything… Read more »