Cipher Text refers to messages that appear encrypted or scrambled (indecipherable) due to encryption failures. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to secure messages. When a message shows as cipher text, it indicates that there is an issue with the encryption keys or connection.
Common Causes of Cipher Text:
Corrupted encryption keys: WhatsApp might not recognize the correct key to decrypt the message.
Outdated WhatsApp version: Both sender and receiver must be using the latest version.
Phone or network issues: Poor network connectivity or switching devices can disrupt encryption.
Reinstalling WhatsApp: When WhatsApp is reinstalled, encryption keys might not sync properly.
Device change: If a user changes devices without properly backing up and restoring their chat history, decryption may fail.
Steps to Resolve Cipher Text Issue:
Check WhatsApp Version:
Ensure both the sender and receiver are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
Update the app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) if needed.
Network Connectivity:
Ensure both devices have a stable internet connection.
Ask the user to switch between mobile data and Wi-Fi to see if the issue persists.
Restart Device:
Ask both the sender and receiver to restart their devices to refresh the app and network connection.
Clear Cache (Android only):
Navigate to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache.
This will clear any corrupted data that could be causing the issue without deleting user data.
Note: This resolves the issue of cipher text appearing when chats fail to load. In such cases, it occurs due to 2-3% of data missing from the WhatsApp library.
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