WhatsApp users beware: Sending this innocent-looking link will CRASH the app - here's how to spot it
By Jonathan Chadwick For Mailonline
Updated 10:36 BST 02 Jun 2023


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Sending the problematic URL in WhatsApp will crash the app for Android users
It follows news that WhatsApp is working on introducing Twitter-like usernames
WhatsApp users are being warned not to send a link that will crash the app and force users to keep restarting.


The offending URL – /settings – would normally take users to the WhatsApp settings page.





But when the URL is sent in an individual or group chat, it will crash WhatsApp and force users to reopen the app – although it's not clear why.

When the app restarts, it appears to work normally again, unless users try to open the chat containing the link.

The so-called 'crash loop' bug will keep on affecting Android users until the message containing the link is deleted (file photo)
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The so-called 'crash loop' bug will keep on affecting Android users until the message containing the link is deleted (file photo)

The annoying bug only appears to be an issue for Android phones, meaning iOS and desktop apps are not affected.

How to fix the bug
- If you have an Android, use WhatsApp for desktop to remove the message containing the URL

- WhatsApp for desktop can be downloaded to Windows PCs and linked to you account using a QR code

- Or ask your chat participant(s) to delete the message (although they may only be able to do this if they aren't using WhatsApp on Android)


So any Android users who are experiencing it might have to use the desktop version of WhatsApp to delete the message containing the URL.

WhatsApp for desktop can be easily downloaded for Windows PCs and linked to an account using a QR code and a smartphone.

Alternatively those affected can ask their chat partner or partners to delete the message, although they may only be able to do this if they're not using WhatsApp on Android.

The so-called 'crash loop' bug was spotted by Twitter user @pandyaMayur11 and reported by Android Authority.

'Don't send this message to anyone chat otherwise it will crash WhatsApp (happened only in Android),' said @pandyaMayur11 in a tweet.

'If already send it than [sic] use WhatsApp web or desktop application to delete this.'

Another user said on Twitter that 'childish people' on WhatsApp were sending the URL to group chats to deliberately cause problems for their fellow users on Android devices.

One user said on Twitter that 'childish people' on WhatsApp were sending the URL to group chats to deliberately cause problems for Android users.
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One user said on Twitter that 'childish people' on WhatsApp were sending the URL to group chats to deliberately cause problems for Android users.
MailOnline has contacted Meta, the firm run by Mark Zuckerberg that owns and operates WhatsApp, for comment.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12151673/WhatsApp-warning-Clicking-link-CRASH-app.html