WhatsApp Showing a Blank Screen on Older iPhones Like iPhone 7? Here’s a Fix That Works

Some users with older iPhones, especially the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus running iOS 15.8.4, are running into a frustrating issue: after installing WhatsApp and completing the initial setup, the app opens to a completely blank screen. No chats, no options — just a white screen.

This problem has been widely reported on Apple’s support forums. In most cases, users are able to download WhatsApp and verify their phone number, but the app fails to load anything beyond that point. Notifications may still come through, but the app itself remains unusable.

Note: This issue is not about WhatsApp crashing or closing on its own. If WhatsApp is opening briefly and then shutting down, refer to [WhatsApp Crashing on iPhone] instead for help with WhatsApp crashes.

What Causes the Blank Screen Issue?

The problem appears to be linked to how newer versions of WhatsApp behave on devices running older versions of iOS. The iPhone 7 series, for example, is no longer eligible for updates beyond iOS 15. Newer apps are often built and tested on more recent versions of iOS, which may lead to compatibility issues on older phones.

See also: WhatsApp Web Missing Messages? How to Fix

A Workaround

Here are the steps:

1. Delete WhatsApp from the device (delete the app, not the account).
2. Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
3. Open WhatsApp and enter your phone number.
4. When asked, skip the iCloud restore step.
5. When the screen asks for your name, do not proceed yet.
6. Turn off both Wi-Fi and Cellular Data to disconnect from the internet.
7. Return to WhatsApp and enter your name.
8. Tap Continue and proceed through the setup.
9. Once you’re in, turn Wi-Fi or Cellular Data back on.

This sequence seems to avoid the blank screen issue and allows the app to finish setting up properly.

See also: WhatsApp Push Notifications Not Working on iPhone, Fix