WhatsApp "Waiting for This Message": What It Means and How to Fix It
What does waiting for this message mean on WhatsApp, and what should you do first?
Waiting for this message is a temporary WhatsApp notice that means your phone has not yet received the end-to-end encryption key it needs to decrypt a message. First, ask the sender to open WhatsApp on their phone. Then make sure both of you update the app. In most cases, the message appears on its own.
The text you see usually reads "Waiting for this message. This may take a while." The WhatsApp Help Center covers this notice on a dedicated page. In other words, the message is not lost. Your device is simply waiting for the key that unlocks it. Also, this is a common situation that almost every user runs into now and then. If you work through the steps calmly, you can often close the issue in a few minutes.
- Contact the sender and ask them to open WhatsApp on their phone.
- Update your own app from the app store.
- Ask the sender to update as well.
- Check your connection and switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Wait a few minutes, then reopen the chat.
If these five steps do not help, the sections below cover the causes, extra steps for the recipient and the sender, and the impact on business accounts.
Why does the waiting for this message notice appear?
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for personal chats. Therefore, only the sender's and the recipient's devices can read each message. To decrypt a message, both devices must have exchanged current encryption keys. If a key has changed and the new key has not reached you yet, the app shows the waiting notice instead of the message.
Keys change for several reasons. For example, the sender may have reinstalled WhatsApp, switched phones or cleared app data. On the other hand, if one of you runs an old app version, the key exchange can lag. In short, the problem usually sits in the handshake between two devices, not in the message itself.
In our field experience, you see this notice most often in these moments:
- The sender recently changed phones.
- The sender deleted and reinstalled the app.
- The sender's phone stayed off or offline for a long time.
- One side uses a very old version.
- A new member or a new device joined a group chat.
How is end-to-end encryption connected to this notice?
End-to-end encryption means the message locks on the sender's device and unlocks only on the recipient's device. Servers carry the message in between, but they cannot read it. This design protects your privacy. However, it has a cost: if the keys do not match, you cannot open the message on your side.
Think of it as a lock and key. If the sender closed the box with a new lock and you still hold the old key, the box arrives but stays shut. So the app shows you the waiting notice instead of throwing the box away. Once the sender's phone comes online, the right key reaches you, and the message usually appears on its own.
As a result, this notice is not a sign of a security breach. Instead, it shows that encryption works. The app does not try to open content with a key it cannot verify. It waits for the right key.
Knowing this detail reduces needless worry. For example, some users assume that someone read or changed the message. In fact, the opposite is true. Encryption protects the content from anyone without the right key. Your own device simply does not hold that key yet, so it does not show the content.
How do you fix waiting for this message as the recipient?
As the recipient, you control only a few steps. Still, you should not skip them. First, make sure the app is up to date. Next, test your connection by opening a website to confirm the internet really works.
- Update WhatsApp from the app store.
- Check that your phone's date and time are set to automatic.
- Turn airplane mode on and off to refresh the connection.
- Restart your phone.
- Leave the chat open and wait for the sender to come online.
Do not delete and reinstall the app at this stage. If your backup is not current, you could lose your chat history. Moreover, a reinstall changes your own key too. That can trigger the same notice for other people. Try the simple steps first and stay patient.
Also check one more thing. Does the notice appear only in one person's messages? If so, the problem most likely sits on that person's device, and there is little more to do on your side. If it appears across many different contacts, the source is probably your app, your connection or your phone settings. This distinction helps you spend your energy in the right place.
Which steps should you ask the sender to take?
The real fix usually sits with the sender. Therefore, send them a short and clear note, or call them if you can. The WhatsApp Help Center also suggests that the sender open the app on their phone and that both sides use the latest version.
- The sender opens WhatsApp on their phone and keeps it open for a few minutes.
- Their phone stays connected to the internet.
- They update the app to the latest version.
- If needed, they send the message again.
Example scenario: a customer wrote you a price question, but you only see the waiting notice. In this case, a quick email or call is enough. Say something like "We could not see your message. Could you open WhatsApp once and send it again?" That way, the customer does not feel ignored, and the conversation stays alive.
Also, avoid a blaming tone. The issue is usually nobody's fault. The two devices simply have not recognized each other yet. A friendly explanation makes it easier for the other side to help right away. On top of that, if the sender sees the same notice with other people, updating the app fixes their other chats too.
How long does the notice last, and is waiting worth it?
The official source gives no fixed duration, and the notice itself says it may take a while. The wait depends on when the sender's device comes online. If the sender opens their phone right away, the message can arrive within minutes. If the phone is off, the wait gets longer.
Example scenario: the sender may have turned off their phone for the night. Then you can read the message only in the morning, once that phone is back on. Waiting makes sense, but staying passive does not. First tell the sender, then wait a reasonable time. If the notice does not clear, ask the sender to write the message again. A new message travels with the current key, so it usually arrives without trouble.
That said, some older messages may never decrypt. This can happen when the key used at sending time no longer exists on any device. In that case, the only realistic path is to ask the sender for the content again.
How do a new phone and a reinstall trigger the notice?
When you move to a new phone or reinstall WhatsApp, your device creates new encryption keys. Until other devices learn the new key, there is a short transition period. During this time, some messages you send or receive can show the waiting notice.
So do not rush when you switch phones. Do not reset the old phone right away. First confirm that everything works on the new device. Moving your chat history requires a backup. If the backup causes trouble, follow the steps in our WhatsApp backup troubleshooting guide. We do not cover backups in detail here.
In short, seeing the notice on a few messages during a switch is normal. If you tell your contacts that you moved to a new phone, they will let you know quickly when a message does not open.
Is the security code change notification related?
Yes, indirectly. When a contact's security code changes, it usually means they changed phones or reinstalled the app. The same event can also cause the waiting notice during the key transition. Consequently, the two notifications often show up side by side.
A security code change alone does not signal danger. Still, if you know the person and the change is unexpected, call them through another channel and ask whether they changed phones. That way, you learn why the waiting notice appeared, and you spot a possible account takeover attempt early.
This check matters especially for businesses. For example, if a supplier sends a message about changed payment details, confirm it by phone first. We explain scams built on fake notices in our article on the fake Meta copyright violation message.
Why does waiting for this message appear more often in group chats?
In groups, each message has to be prepared for every device in the group. So the more members there are, the higher the chance of a key mismatch. If a member changed phones or added a new device, their messages can briefly show the notice.
If you are a group admin, try these steps:
- Message the author of the affected message privately.
- Ask them to open and update the app.
- If it is an important announcement, ask them to share it again.
- Leave a short note for other members, so they do not keep asking the same question.
Moreover, in large groups, a single member on an old version can cause the notice for several people. Therefore, regular update reminders in team groups make your life easier.
You can also learn the content from other members. If others see the message fine, the issue sits only between your device and the sender's device. This tells you who needs to act.
Do linked devices and WhatsApp Web affect the notice?
They can. When you use WhatsApp on a computer or tablet as a linked device, each linked device holds its own keys. If a device stays disconnected for a long time or was just linked, it may receive some messages late and briefly show the waiting notice.
In that case, first check whether the message appears on your main phone. If you can read it on the phone but not on the computer, the issue sits with the linked device. Logging out on the computer and linking it again is usually enough. Still, save important files to your phone before you log out.
Also, do not leave a WhatsApp Web session open on shared computers. For both security and key hygiene, it is healthier to remove linked devices you no longer use.
One more tip: when you open a session that stayed closed for a long time, syncing can take a while. During that time, some messages may show the waiting notice. So give it a few minutes after logging in. If the problem continues only on that device, refresh the session.
Is the experience different on Android and iPhone?
The core logic is the same on both systems: the notice comes from a key delay. However, some details depend on the phone. For example, battery saver settings can restrict WhatsApp in the background. In that case, the phone may look online, yet the app completes the key exchange late.
So it helps to check whether battery saver restricts WhatsApp on the sender's phone. Background data should also stay allowed. Setting names differ by manufacturer and version, so check the exact menu path on your phone's own help page.
On the other hand, moving between systems, from Android to iPhone or the reverse, means new keys. Seeing the notice on a few messages during that move is normal. If you warn your contacts in advance, you reduce confusion.
What does waiting for this message mean for WhatsApp Business accounts?
The WhatsApp Business app uses the same end-to-end encryption model for chats. Therefore, the waiting notice in your business account comes from the same causes as in a personal account. The difference lies in the cost: an unread message can be a lost order or a missed appointment.
Example scenario: during a campaign, dozens of customers write, and a few messages arrive with the waiting notice. None of these customers know that you cannot see their message. As a result, they get no reply and may turn to a competitor. To reduce this risk, write a short note in every affected chat: "Your message did not fully reach us. Could you send it again?"
In our social media management service, we also cover WhatsApp reply flows. Catalog issues are a separate topic. For those, see our guide on the WhatsApp Business catalog not showing.
How do personal and business accounts differ in the steps?
The core steps are the same, but priorities differ. In a personal account, the goal is to read the message, so there is no rush. In a business account, the goal is to keep the customer, so speed comes first.
| Step | Personal account | Business account |
|---|---|---|
| Notify the sender | Optional, waiting is fine | Right away, with a ready template |
| Update the app | If the issue persists | Regularly and on a schedule |
| Confirm by phone | For important messages | Always for orders and payments |
| Brief the team | Not needed | With a written internal guide |
For example, if a friend's message shows the notice, you can sort it out when you call them in the evening. However, if a customer asks about an appointment, waiting may send that booking to another business. That is why we recommend treating the notice as a workflow topic in businesses.
How can businesses prevent losing customers?
You cannot fully block the waiting notice, because the cause usually sits on the customer's device. Still, you can limit its impact. What matters is spotting the unread message and replying to the customer fast.
- Explain to your team what the notice means, so nobody ignores the message.
- Use a ready, polite reply template for affected chats.
- Confirm critical orders by phone.
- Offer an alternative contact channel on your website.
- Keep the business phone and the app up to date.
Also make sure the WhatsApp button on your website points to the right number. Our WhatsApp link generator helps with that. For businesses with heavy message volume, our WhatsApp AI assistant solution can ease the first reply load. However, no assistant can fix an encryption-related waiting notice.
How should you explain the notice to your team?
In businesses, several people often manage the WhatsApp line. If one of them does not know about the notice, they may treat the message as empty and move on. So a short internal guide makes things easier.
- Whoever sees the notice flags the chat right away.
- The team sends the customer a ready, polite reply.
- For critical topics, someone calls the customer.
- If the notice shows up often, the team updates the business phone and the app.
Put this guide in writing and show it to new staff too. That way, everyone on the team acts the same way. Also, skip technical jargon in your reply to the customer. Saying "your message did not fully reach us" is enough. The customer should not feel embarrassed, and you should not sound like you blame them.
Does the notice also appear on media files and voice messages?
Yes, it can. Photos, videos, documents and voice messages also travel with end-to-end encryption. So if the key exchange lags, a media file can show the waiting notice just like a text. The logic is the same, and so are the fixes.
Media files have one extra case: a download failure. This differs from the waiting notice. If you see the file placeholder but cannot download it, the issue usually relates to storage space or your connection. With the waiting notice, the content does not show at all. You only see the notice text.
In short, first tell which situation you face. If it is the waiting notice, focus on the sender's side. If it is a download issue, check your own storage and connection. This distinction saves you from wasting time on the wrong steps.
What is the difference between waiting for this message and a message that never arrives?
People often mix up the two, but they differ. With the waiting notice, the message has reached you; you just cannot read it. When a message never arrives, you see no trace of it in the chat. The sender usually sees a single check mark too.
If a message never arrives, the causes are different. For example, the sender may have blocked you, your number may be saved wrong, or the sender's connection may have dropped. In these cases, the first step is to contact the sender and confirm the number. No encryption key issue is involved.
With the waiting notice, the message's place in the chat is clear. The notice shows that the content arrived but waits to open. Put simply, the notice is good news: the message is not lost, only delayed.
What should you check in the first five minutes?
Most of our readers land on this page in a panic. So it helps to tie the first five minutes to a short checklist. If you follow this order, you avoid needless steps.
- Check whether the notice shows for one person or for many.
- If it is one person, tell them through another channel.
- If it is many people, update your own app.
- Test your connection and restart your phone.
- Check the linked devices list for sessions you do not recognize.
These five steps quickly reveal which side the problem sits on. After that, your next move is often just to wait. Still, keep in touch with the customer or contact while you wait.
What are common myths about this notice?
A lot of wrong information about this notice circulates online. Believing it pushes you toward needless and sometimes risky steps. Here are the myths we run into most often:
- "The other person blocked me." Blocking does not create this notice. When someone blocks you, your messages never reach them.
- "The message was deleted." Deleted messages show a different notice.
- "My account is suspended." An account restriction comes with an entirely different warning.
- "An app can decrypt the message." No app can do that without the key.
In short, do not jump to the worst case when you see the notice. In most cases, the cause is simple, and the fix is for the sender to open the app. Still, official details can change, so check the current explanation in the WhatsApp Help Center.
Which mistakes make the waiting for this message problem worse?
Some panic moves make the issue bigger instead of fixing it. These are the mistakes we see most often in the field:
- Deleting the app without checking the backup and losing chat history.
- Resetting the old phone before the new one works.
- Waiting for days without telling the sender.
- Giving account details to unknown apps or to people who promise "message recovery."
- Using modified, unofficial WhatsApp versions.
The last two points carry serious risk. Unofficial versions can lead to account restrictions. In that case, you may face the issue described in our article on this account is not allowed to use WhatsApp. Also, do not trust people who offer to "decrypt your message" for money. Nobody can open an encrypted message without the key.
Does the notice mean your account was hacked?
No, not on its own. The waiting notice is a technical state that signals a delayed key match. Still, you should stay alert if other signs appear at the same time. For example, an unknown device in your linked devices list or verification code texts you did not request point to something different.
If you have such a suspicion, first check the linked devices list and log out of sessions you do not recognize. Next, turn on two-step verification. Never share your verification code. WhatsApp does not ask you for this code by message or by phone. Similar fake requests show up on other platforms too. For code issues on Instagram, see our guide on the Instagram security code not arriving.
In short, do not treat the waiting notice as a hack signal. However, if other suspicious signs exist, apply the security steps right away.
What is the last resort if the notice never clears?
If you tried every step and the notice still stays, the message may no longer open with the key it used. In that case, the most realistic fix is to get the content another way. Ask the sender to send it again, or to forward the file by email if needed.
You can also reach WhatsApp support from inside the app. The settings area contains a help section. Menu names can change between versions, so do not rely on an exact button label. In your request, describe the issue briefly: which contact, since when and on which device you see the notice.
On the other hand, support cannot open an encrypted message for you either. So keep your expectations realistic. Support helps with general settings and account status. It does not restore message content.
Even at this stage, do not turn to rule-breaking methods. Opening a new account to recover the old chat does not work, because old keys do not move to a new account. Trying to access someone else's device or account can have serious legal and security consequences. So use only official channels and ask the sender for the content again.
How can you keep the notice to a minimum in the future?
You cannot bring the waiting notice down to zero, but you can make it rarer. The basic rule is simple: keep the app updated and plan device changes.
- Turn on automatic app updates.
- Check your backup before you switch phones.
- Keep the old phone until the new one fully works.
- Remove linked devices you do not use.
- Tell key contacts about your device change in advance.
One extra tip for businesses: do not make WhatsApp your only contact channel. For example, the link in your Instagram profile should also work smoothly. If that link causes trouble, our article on a blocked Instagram bio link can guide you. If you plan marketing messages, read our WhatsApp marketing messages guide.
What should you do, in short?
The waiting notice is a natural side effect of end-to-end encryption. The message is not lost; your device waits for the right key. First, ask the sender to open WhatsApp. Then both sides should update the app.
If the issue persists, ask the sender to resend the message and avoid needless reinstalls. If you run a business, reply quickly and politely in affected chats. Finally, stay away from unofficial apps and from people who promise message recovery. The steps in this article guarantee no outcome. Still, they reflect the order that works best in the field.
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