WhatsApp users are dealing with another strange bug that’s causing panic as they are finding their private chat histories completely wiped out. Multiple reports on Reddit and X over the past day suggest that individual conversations are disappearing without warning, while group chats remain oddly unaffected.
Users are describing a problem where they can see message previews in their chat list, but when they actually tap to open the conversation, they’re greeted with nothing but blank screens.
Some have attempted the usual fixes like uninstalling and reinstalling the app or restoring from backups, only to watch their chat histories refuse to return. One user even reported an even more bizarre twist where a random stranger’s reaction appeared in a supposedly private chat, as if someone else was somehow viewing the conversation.
And they aren’t alone. Another user on X also reported the same problem.
The chaos gets worse when people try to send new messages from their phones. Several users noticed that doing so creates duplicate chat threads for the same contact.
The original chat with all its history stays blank, while a new thread appears with only the most recent messages. Curiously, WhatsApp Web seems to be working fine for most people, at least initially. Users can see their full message histories there, but once they attempt to send a message from their phone, the web version also loses the chat history permanently.
Most affected users appear to be running the WhatsApp beta version, specifically the latest v2.25.28.8 build, which went live yesterday.
However, a few noted that even after they moved over to the WhatsApp stable build, the issue persisted there too.
As a WhatsApp beta user, I headed to the Play Store to check for the update, but it isn’t showing up. Either it’s a gradual release or WhatsApp may have pulled the update already. My app is on v2.25.28.2, and I could not reproduce the bug. So something might have indeed broken with the latest beta.
The good news is that since WhatsApp Web is showing the correct history for most users, the data doesn’t appear to be completely gone from Meta’s servers. But until an official fix arrives, affected users are stuck playing a waiting game, hoping their messages aren’t lost forever.
This isn’t the first time WhatsApp has stumbled recently. Users have been dealing with various bugs affecting WhatsApp Web’s scrolling functionality, dark mode breaking completely, and even issues with PDF files opening in the wrong apps on Android. At this rate, Meta might want to slow down on pushing new features and focus on making sure the basics actually work.
Dwayne Cubbins
1731 Posts
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.
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