WhatsApp down in UK today: App service updates

On Oct 25, 2022

WhatsApp is DOWN: App crashes for frustrated users across the UK – leaving them unable to send or receive messages

According to DownDetector, the problems started at around 08:20 BST
MailOnline tried the app and was unable to send or receive messages or photos
WhatsApp is yet to comment on the reason for the outage

Published: 08:31, 25 October 2022 | Updated: 08:54, 25 October 2022

It’s the go-to messaging app for many people around the world, but it appears that WhatsApp is experiencing issues this morning.

According to DownDetector, the problems started at around 08:20 BST, and are affecting users across the UK.

MailOnline tried to access the app and was unable to send or receive messages or photos.

It’s the go-to messaging app for many people around the world, but it appears that WhatsApp is experiencing issues this morning

So far, more than 60,000 issues have been logged on DownDetector

How to access WhatsApp Stealth Mode

Open WhatsApp
Tap the Settings icon in the bottom right corner
Tap Account
Tap Privacy
Tap Last Seen & Online
Under ‘Who can see my last seen’ you’ll fine a new ‘who can see when I’m online’ option

So far, more than 60,000 issues have been logged on DownDetector.

Of those who logged a report, 55 per cent said they were having issues sending messages, 41 per cent were experiencing a server connection, and five per cent simply said there was a problem with the app.

While WhatsApp is yet to comment on the outage itself, several frustrated users have taken to Twitter to discuss it.

One user wrote: ‘So I was blaming my WiFi but actually I got to check on Twitter that the WhatsApp is down.’

Another added: ‘Is WhatsApp down? Is it me or are you all facing an issue? I haven’t received a message in the last 30 minutes and it’s unusual.’

And one joked: ‘When your WhatsApp is playing up but you come to Twitter and see that everyone else is having the same problem.’

MailOnline has contacted WhatsApp for comment.

The outage comes shortly after WhatsApp launched ‘stealth mode’, which allows you to select who can see when you’re on the app.

The tool was one of three privacy features announced by Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of WhatsApp’s parent company Meta, in August.

‘We’ll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations,’ Zuckerberg said.

Stealth mode has been rolled out to all users, and allows you to choose who can see when you’re online.

‘Seeing when friends or family are online helps us feel connected to one another, but we’ve all had times when we wanted to check our WhatsApp privately,’ WhatsApp explained.

‘For the times you want to keep your online presence private, we’re introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online.’

While WhatsApp is yet to comment on the outage itself, several frustrated users have taken to Twitter to discuss it

BEST WHATSAPP ALTERNATIVES

If you’re considering deleting WhatsApp, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several alternative apps to choose from:

1. Telegram

With more than 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives.

While it looks very similar to WhatsApp, what sets it apart is the fact that it gives the option to set messages to self-destruct after a given period of time, leaving no trace.

Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption.

However, as a WhatsApp spokesperson pointed out, Telegram ‘does not offer end-to-end encryption by default so it’s not necessarily more secure than WhatsApp’.

2. Signal

Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to the fact that it is open-source.

This means that the code for the app is publicly available to view, making it near-impossible for the app’s creators to sneak in any backdoors that could allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages.

3. iMessage

If you use an iPhone, you may consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple’s own messaging app.

The app has a number of impressive features included no character limits, the ability to send pictures and videos, and of course Apple’s animated emoji feature, Animoji.

Unfortunately, iMessage is only available for iPhone users, so you’ll struggle to interact with anyone using an Android.

4. Google Messages

Google’s answer to iMessage is Google Messages, an Android-only messaging service.

The app replaces your standard SMS app, and integrates with all of Google’s apps and services, making it easy to share images or use Google Assistant.

5. Facebook Messenger

If you were put off using WhatsApp due to its sharing of data with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you.

However, the app offers a number of helpful features, including games, secret conversations and video calls.