WhatsApp on S24 keeps crashing immediately after opening, half-way through setting up

[Beabramble]

Hello, 

I've read other threads on WhatsApp problems but haven't seen any describing my issue, hence a new post...

I've got a brand new S24 phone. My previous one was S22 and WhatsApp worked fine. The new phone was set up manually as I didn't want to transfer over any of the old stuff / settings.  

I downloaded WhatsApp, got a confirmation that my phone number was successfully verified on the device, said 'allow' to all permissions questions. It asked about back-ups, I went 'skip'. Got to the screen where I had to enter my name, and it crashed within a second. It happens every single time I try to complete the registration - the app shuts down immediately after opening it.

I deleted and reinstalled WhatsApp more than 10 times; reset the phone 3 or 4 times to factory settings, I also created a brand new Google account for the phone to see if it was Google account causing a problem, but it made no difference. All other apps on S24 work; my wifi connection is fine, so I'm at a loss as to what could be causing this. Is it a phone issue? SIM issue? or the latest version of WhatsApp? I've followed all trouble shooting steps from the WhatsApp help forum and that made no difference. Any ideas, please? Many thanks in advance.

[johnz237]

Hi! Welcome to the Samsung members members community!

If you're using smart switch to move over your apps, may be worth moving everything over besides apps, and then manual install. A small number of people have reported this being an issue going from " older" phones

Go to settings, apps, WhatsApp, force stop, clear cache-

Maybe try clearing the phones cache partition as this can cause problems after moving to a new phone from another

1. Turn off the device. Connect it to the computer. Press and hold the Volume Up key, and then press and hold the Power key.
2. When the Android logo displays, release both keys. 3. Wait until the Android system recovery menu
options appear.
4. Press the Volume down key several times to
highlight "wipe cache partition".
5. Press the Power key to select.
6. Press the Volume down key to highlight "yes," then press the Power key to select.


Worst case it may be time to contact WhatsApp support, as this may be due an update

[lminvti · Accepted solution]

Hi @Beabramble and warm welcome to the community 👋

Try go to settings > apps > 3 dots on the corner > reset app preferences

Try log into web version of WhatsApp.

Try to allow back ups as it might be one of the reason why it crashes.

The other thing you could try is to download WhatsApp businesses.

Contact WhatsApp and explain issue and see if they would able to help further.

[Beabramble]

Hello, 

Thank you for taking time to reply. 

My S24 was set up manually and I don't have the S22 anymore, so can't use the Smart Switch.

I've followed your steps for wiping the cache partition, got a confirmation at the bottom of the screen that it was successfully wiped, but unfortunately that hasn't fixed the issue... thank you very much for taking time to write it up, though, much appreciated.  

[GoanGeek]

Hi

Couple of things.

1. Make sure you phone software is up to date.

2. Check for app updates in Samsung and Google store ( any app updates).

3. Uninstall whatsapp.

4.Restart your phone.

5.Reinstall whatsapp.

Also under settings > search of manage accounts and see for any sync options.

Try remove and Try again.

Ideally whatsapp is backed to Google now. So could be some issues with that. You might have to check Google account settings for whatsapp related stuff.

Try below
https://faq.whatsapp.com/860746416100488

[Beabramble · Accepted solution]

Thank you @lminvti, that's a genius workaround!!!

I've downloaded WhatsApp for business; and it works! I guess there may be something wrong with my personal WhatsApp account. I couldn't change any preferences in my personal one, as the app won't stay open longer than about a second, and I can't even fully configure it. But the Business version got me back into all my WhatsApp chats I needed 😊

Thank you so much for your help. 🙏     

[Beabramble]

Hi GoanGeek,

Thank you for your advice. It's a brand new S24, I run the software update at the time of setting it up yesterday. I've followed the steps you've suggested but I there must be something very specific causing the issue, as the problem persists... Interestingly, lminvti's idea to install WhatsApp for business has worked, so at least I have access to WhatsApp on my usual number - will just need to explain to people at work that I'm not running a business on the side! 😁

Thanks again and best wishes.   

[lminvti]

Not a problem at all I'm glad it helped 😊

[Beabramble]

It did, and it ended a weekend-long frustration! Thank you 😊