Meta-owned social media giant WhatsApp was down for thousands of users globally on Saturday evening, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.
The data shows that the disruption tracking platform registered nearly 1,005 reports of an outage from social media users as of 20:10 pm (IST).
There was no immediate statement from WhatsApp on the outage.
Downdetector website (Screengrab)
In India, United States and other parts of the world, users indicated problem with the app and sending messages.
With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is already one of the largest instant messaging apps in the world, and is soon expected to hit the 3 billion mark.
New features
WhatsApp continues to roll out new features to enhance user experience. Here’s a roundup of some of the latest updates:
Group Chat Online Indicator: WhatsApp now shows how many people are online in a group chat in real time, though it doesn’t display who exactly is online.
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Prioritise Group Notifications: With the new ‘Notify for’ setting, users can select the ‘Highlights’ option to limit notifications to replies, messages from saved contacts, and mentions—helpful for managing busy group chats.
Create Events in Personal Chats: Users can now create events within personal chats. You can RSVP as ‘maybe’, invite others, add an end time, and even pin the event to the chat.
Tappable Reactions: You can now tap to view how others reacted to a message and quickly choose your own reaction.
Document Scanning: On iPhones, WhatsApp now includes a built-in document scanner, accessible from the attachment tray—no third-party apps needed.
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Default Messaging App on iPhone: WhatsApp can now be set as the default app for calls and messages on iOS, letting users use WhatsApp automatically when initiating contact.
Zoom in Video Calls: iPhone users can pinch to zoom during video calls, allowing a closer view of their own or others’ video feeds.
QR Codes for Channels: Channel admins can now share a QR code for their WhatsApp Channel, making it easier to grow and engage their audience.
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