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WhatsApp Chat Not Loading: “Waiting for This Message. This May Take a While” iPhone (2025 Fix)
Many iPhone, iOS, Android phone users in 2025 have reported a frustrating issue where WhatsApp shows the message:
“Waiting for this message. This may take a while”
This problem has been affecting iPhone 17 Pro Max, Android, and WhatsApp Web users alike. Messages fail to load, chats appear blank, and even older messages remain inaccessible.
The Issue: Chats Not Loading on WhatsApp
Users describe waking up to find that WhatsApp greets them with the “Welcome to WhatsApp” screen.
After verifying their phone number and re-logging in, they see their chat history but most messages display the message:
“Waiting for this message. This may take a while.”
Even reinstalling WhatsApp or restoring from the cloud backup doesn’t immediately fix it. Some users reported being asked to reinstall the app multiple times without success.
Common Causes Behind the Error
- Encryption Sync Issue
WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted. When the encryption keys between your devices are out of sync (for example, after reinstalling or switching phones), WhatsApp may be unable to decrypt older messages. - Cloud Backup Access Denied
If WhatsApp is not granted full access to your files during setup, it cannot retrieve the backup from Google Drive or iCloud. - Bug in Latest WhatsApp Update
Several users believe a recent WhatsApp update caused this bug, as it suddenly began affecting random accounts on both iOS and Android. - Device Switch (Android to iPhone)
Many users noticed the problem when transferring chats between Android and iOS devices. While the data migration appears successful, the encryption key mismatch leads to unreadable messages.
User Experiences and Observations
“I opened WhatsApp, and it took me back to the Welcome screen. After verification, all my chats showed ‘waiting for this message.’ Even WhatsApp Support chat displayed the same thing.”
“This issue appeared after switching from Android to iPhone. I can still see messages on WhatsApp Web, but not on my phone.”
“Support replies seem automated. I think it’s a bug from the latest update that hit random users.”
These experiences suggest a widespread issue rather than an isolated account problem.
Confirmed Fix: Allow Full Access to Files and Media
One user shared a working fix after reinstalling WhatsApp:
- Uninstall WhatsApp.
- Reinstall the app from the App Store or Play Store.
- When prompted for permissions, tap “Allow access to all photos and media.”
- This step is crucial because WhatsApp needs access to your local and cloud backups stored in Google Drive or iCloud.
- Re-enter your phone number and verify it via SMS.
- WhatsApp should now find your backup and restore messages correctly.
If you accidentally denied access earlier, uninstall and reinstall again to re-grant permissions.
“The first time, I gave access only to selected photos and files, and WhatsApp couldn’t find my backup. Once I selected ‘Access to All,’ the backup restored properly.”
Additional Tips
- Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection during backup restoration.
- Check that Google Drive or iCloud backups are available and up to date.
- Avoid switching between Android and iPhone mid-restore.
- If the issue persists, log out from all linked devices and try restoring again.
Final Thoughts
The “Waiting for this message. This may take a while” error in WhatsApp can be alarming, especially when it affects important chats. However, in most cases, the issue is tied to permissions or encryption key mismatches after reinstalling or switching devices.
Granting WhatsApp full access to your media files during installation and ensuring a reliable connection usually resolves the problem.
If not, it’s likely a temporary bug that WhatsApp will address in a future update.