WhatsApp is DOWN: App crashes for thousands of users around the world

It's one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.

But it appears that WhatsApp has crashed this afternoon, with thousands reporting issues. 

According to Down Detector, the problems started at around 3:10pm, and are affecting WhatsApp users around the world. 

So far, more than 68,000 issues have been logged on Down Detector UK. 

Of those who reported issues, 59 per cent said they were struggling to send messages, while 22 per cent were experiencing a server connection. 

The remaining 19 per cent said the problem was with the app. 

Meanwhile, reports are now coming in from the US, where more than 8,200 problems have been logged.  

Meta, which owns WhatsApp is yet to comment on the issue, although MailOnline has contacted them for comment.  

While WhatsApp is yet to comment on the outage, several users have flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss it. 

'Me running to X to see if WhatsApp is actually down or it's my network,' one user tweeted alongside a GIF of people rushing down an escalator. 

Another added: 'No need to switch flight mode on and off, whatsapp is indeed down.'

And one joked: 'WhatsApp is down, and now X is the new customer care center.

'Everyone’s here like: "Is it just me?" "Is it my WiFi?" "Did I forget to pay my internet bill?" 

'No mate, we’re all in this together refreshing X like it’s a WhatsApp alternative!'

While the reason for the latest outage remains unclear, it comes four years after Meta experienced a seven-hour blackout that cost the company an estimated $100million in lost revenue.

The global outage – which hit Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger – was caused when a faulty update disconnected its servers from the internet, meaning engineers had to travel to its Santa Clara data center to fix the glitch in-person.

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But the repair was delayed, according to one insider who was posting on Reddit, because of 'lower staffing in data centers due to pandemic measures'.

The glitch, which prompted calls for a break-up of big tech firms, also brought down messaging services that remote-working staff use to communicate.

So those who knew how to fix the servers couldn't get that information to the teams inside the data-center, the insider said.

Also disabled were key-fob entry systems at Facebook's main campus in Menlo, meaning those who had been WFH but rushed back to the office could not get inside while those already inside were unable to access conference rooms and other areas that required a pass.

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.