WhatsApp suffers outage in India, users unable to send messages

Meta-owned private messaging app WhatsApp was hit by another outage on Saturday, with thousands of users reporting issues with sending messages or uploading status updates.

According to Downdetector, which tracks downtime on popular platforms, user complaints regarding WhatsApp services surged to over 3,133 at 8:19 PM. Earlier in the day, 81% of users reported issues with messaging, while 16% faced problems with the overall app experience.

WhatsApp has yet to issue an official statement regarding the outage.

Meanwhile, some users also reported experiencing similar issues on Facebook and Instagram, which are also owned by Meta.

The news comes after users reported a similar outage in February with users citing connectivity issues.

ET reported in November that Meta AI is set to become the world’s most widely used AI assistant by year-end, already reaching nearly 600 million monthly active users across 43 countries and supporting a dozen languages. However, frequent outages across Meta platforms could undermine user trust and slow its adoption momentum.

Netizens react

Here’s how Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk's startup xAI responded when asked to comment on the WhatsApp outage.

Hey, WhatsApp is indeed down for many users right now, with issues sending and receiving messages. Unfortunately, there's no official word from Meta on why this is happening, so the exact cause isn't clear. Reports suggest it’s a widespread problem, not just you. Check… pic.twitter.com/tRGaqeA1cI

— Grok (@grok) April 12, 2025

Following the UPI outage, users took to X to express concerns about experiencing similar disruptions on WhatsApp.

Stop restarting your phone. It’s not you. WhatsApp is down. Facebook and Instagram too. #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/ycdtlOId9P

— Adv Kapil Malik🧘🙏🔔🛕🌿My beloved Bharat (@KapilMalik_) April 12, 2025

One user specifically highlighted being unable to post a status, while others shared frustration over repeated glitches across Meta-owned platforms, calling for better reliability and communication.

Is WhatsApp down ?

I have been trying to upload the status but it couldn’t. #WhatsApp #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/Wuph0ETdLm

— Kumar Shubham (@its_ShubhamK) April 12, 2025

Another user pointed out that group chats weren’t working, preventing messages from going through, causing delays in time-sensitive conversations.

Cannot send messages to group.. whats app down ? #WhatsApp

— Rahul chaganti (@rahulchaganti27) April 12, 2025

For a platform that has become integral to daily communication, being unable to send messages or use key features left users feeling disconnected and inconvenienced.

Is @WhatsApp down in India today?
Not able to send messages in groups!
Getting a red exclamation mark on sending messages.#whatsappdown #Whatsapp pic.twitter.com/NGcDFN8Cq3

— Anmol (@AirsPrime1) April 12, 2025

Reliability in question

According to research firm Gartner, India is witnessing explosive growth in messaging platforms, with basic channels like SMS projected to grow at 12% annually, while advanced channels such as RCS and WhatsApp are expected to surge at a staggering 58% — the fastest rate globally.

This rapid growth underscores India's increasing reliance on platforms like WhatsApp for both personal and business communication.

However, recurring outages raise serious concerns about the reliability of these platforms as they become critical infrastructure in a digital-first economy.


( Originally published on Apr 12, 2025 )