WhatsApp Outage: Cell Phones Affected Since August

Get ready to update your phone, because WhatsApp is phasing out support for several older models starting in August 2025.

This move comes as Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, updates it’s technical requirements to ensure the app’s security and performance.

The company regularly reviews devices that run on outdated operating systems, especially those no longer receiving manufacturer support or security updates.

This means devices with older versions of Android and iOS will be primarily affected by this change.

Among the devices losing WhatsApp compatibility are certain Samsung models like the Galaxy S3 mini and Galaxy Trend Lite.

LG users will also notice the absence of WhatsApp on models such as the Best L5 2 and Best F5.

Huawei’s Ascend D2 is also on the list, alongside several iPhone models.

This includes the iPhone 6, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 5, and iPhone 5c.

If you own one of these devices, WhatsApp will be sending in-app notifications to warn you about the discontinuation of support.

The app will also offer suggestions to help you back up your conversations and guide you on migrating to a compatible device.

For those unfamiliar, WhatsApp allows users to send messages, voice notes, and make voice and video calls over your internet connection, often making it a cost-effective choice to conventional SMS.

It’s a versatile tool for interaction, enabling file sharing and group chats, and is available across various platforms including Android, iOS, and as a web version for computers.

WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption for conversations, ensuring that only the sender and intended recipient can access the message content.

Additionally, WhatsApp Business offers tools for companies to enhance customer communication, manage profiles, showcase products, and analyse interaction performance.

What troubleshooting steps can WhatsApp users take to address connectivity issues during the outage?

Understanding the Recent WhatsApp Disruptions

Since early August 2025, WhatsApp users globally have experienced intermittent outages, impacting the messaging appS functionality on various cell phones and operating systems. These disruptions range from complete service unavailability to issues sending and receiving messages, voice calls, and media files. The scope of the problem has been widespread, affecting both Android and iOS devices, and also WhatsApp Web and Desktop applications. Reports indicate the outages aren’t geographically isolated, with users in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia all reporting problems.

What’s Causing the WhatsApp Outage?

While Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has been relatively tight-lipped about the precise cause, several factors are believed to be contributing to the instability:

Server Overload: A surge in user activity, possibly linked to seasonal trends or specific global events, could be straining WhatsApp’s servers.

Software Bugs: Recent app updates may have introduced bugs causing instability, notably on older cell phone models or operating system versions.

Network Infrastructure issues: Problems with underlying network infrastructure, either within Meta’s control or with third-party providers, could be disrupting connectivity.

Distributed denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Though unconfirmed, the possibility of malicious ddos attacks targeting WhatsApp’s servers cannot be ruled out. These attacks overwhelm servers with traffic,making them unavailable to legitimate users.

Database Replication Issues: Problems with replicating WhatsApp’s massive database across multiple servers can lead to inconsistencies and outages.

Impact on Cell Phone Users & Specific Devices

The WhatsApp outage has impacted users differently depending on thier device and network conditions.

Android Users: Many Android users have reported complete inability to connect to WhatsApp servers, displaying a “Connecting…” message indefinitely. Specific Android phone brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google Pixel have all seen reported issues.

iOS Users: iOS users have experienced a mix of problems, including delayed message delivery, issues with voice calls, and occasional app crashes. iPhone 13, 14, and 15 models have all been affected.

WhatsApp Web/Desktop: Users relying on WhatsApp Web and Desktop have also faced connectivity issues,often mirroring the problems experienced on their mobile devices.

Network Specific issues: Some users have reported better connectivity when switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data, suggesting potential issues with specific mobile network operators.

Troubleshooting Steps for WhatsApp Outage

If you’re experiencing issues with WhatsApp, hear are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. Try loading other websites or apps to confirm your connectivity.
2. Restart WhatsApp: Close and reopen the WhatsApp application.
3. Restart Your Cell Phone: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches.
4. Update WhatsApp: Check the App Store (iOS) or google Play Store (Android) for available updates. Installing the latest version can fix known bugs.
5. Clear WhatsApp cache (Android): Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache. Note: Do not clear data, as this will delete your chat history.
6. Reinstall WhatsApp: As a last resort,uninstall and reinstall the WhatsApp application. Remember to back up your chats before uninstalling.*
7. Check WhatsApp Server Status: Websites like Downdetector (https://downdetector.com/status/whatsapp/) provide real-time information on WhatsApp server status and user-reported outages.

whatsapp’s Response & Future Outlook

Meta has acknowledged the ongoing issues and stated that its engineering teams are working diligently to resolve them.they have released several minor updates aimed at improving stability, but the outages have persisted.

The company has not provided a specific timeline for a complete fix, but has emphasized its commitment to restoring full service as quickly as possible. The recent push for WhatsApp Business features, including real-time translation (as highlighted in recent reports – see https://www.zhihu.com/question/442107993), suggests Meta is heavily invested in the platform’s future, making a swift resolution