
WhatsApp Not Working on Mobile Data – Easy Fixes
Mar 17, 2025 • Filed to: Manage Social Apps • Proven solutions
WhatsApp plays a crucial role in daily communication, but sometimes it refuses to work on mobile data. You do not always have access to Wi-Fi, making the effortless working of the app critical. The problem may arise due to incorrect network settings, app restrictions, or even outdated software. Luckily, several quick and effective fixes can resolve this connectivity issue on mobile data without much hassle.
Alongside troubleshooting, having a reliable way to transfer your chats and other data between devices is also essential. This guide will explore robust solutions for WhatsApp not working on mobile data issues. It will also help you find the best ways to move the app content across devices.
- Part 1. Possible Reasons Why WhatsApp Is Not Working on Mobile Data
- Part 2. How to Fix WhatsApp Not Working on Mobile Data on iPhone
- Part 3. How to Fix WhatsApp Not Working on Mobile Data on Android
- Part 4. Can You Access WhatsApp Without the Internet?
- Part 5. How To Read Your WhatsApp Messages on Your Computer
Part 1. Possible Reasons Why WhatsApp Is Not Working on Mobile Data
If your WhatsApp is not working on Wi-Fi but is working on mobile data, then you can opt to use mobile data. There might be temporary problems with your Wi-Fi at the moment. But when your mobile data is also not working on your WhatsApp, it will hinder your communication, making it impossible to use it to contact your friends, family, or clients.
Several reasons may lead to these mobile connectivity issues, including:
Your data plan is inactive or expired
It's easy to overlook, but if your data plan is inactive or has expired, WhatsApp won't be able to establish a connection. Make sure that your mobile data plan is active and has sufficient data allowance to support WhatsApp usage.
Your WhatsApp version is outdated
Connectivity issues aren't always related to the network. Using an outdated version of WhatsApp can hinder its performance. Developers are usually releasing regular updates to address bugs, improve security, and enhance overall functionality.
Enabling data saver
While Data Saver is a useful feature designed to minimize data usage, its activation might impede WhatsApp's normal functioning. Data Saver restricts background data usage for apps, potentially causing delays in receiving messages or media on WhatsApp.
These are only some common problems that may be behind your WhatsApp not working with mobile data problems. In the next section, we will get deeper into how to solve these issues, depending on the device you use.
Part 2. How to Fix WhatsApp Not Working on Mobile Data on iPhone
When WhatsApp fails to cooperate with your iPhone's mobile data, it's essential to explore specific fixes tailored to iOS. In this section, we’ve outlined step-by-step solutions to ensure that your WhatsApp connectivity issues on mobile data are swiftly resolved.
Method 1: Enable mobile data access
iOS provides users with the flexibility to control mobile data access for individual apps. If you've inadvertently disabled mobile data for WhatsApp, it can lead to why WhatsApp is not working on mobile data iPhone.
Here's how to enable mobile data access for WhatsApp on your iPhone:
- Step 1: Access your iPhone’s Settings > Cellular, and scroll down until you find the WhatsApp option.
- Step 2: Toggle the switch next to WhatsApp to enable it.
Method 2: Turn off data saver mode
As we have discussed before, enabling data saver mode can be a contributing factor to WhatsApp not working on mobile data.By turning off Data Saver mode, you grant WhatsApp unrestricted access to mobile data, potentially resolving the issue.
How to turn off data saver mode on iPhone:
- Step 1: Open your iPhone's Settings.
- Step 2: Find and tap on the section labeled "Cellular" > "Cellular data options."
- Step 3: Toggle off “Low Data Mode” if you haven’t.
Part 3. How to Fix WhatsApp Not Working on Mobile Data on Android
Now, it’s time for Android users. Addressing WhatsApp not working on mobile data Android requires another tailored approach that is slightly different from the iPhone we covered earlier. But worry not – we'll delve into these solutions as well to ensure seamless communication for you.
Method 1: Enable background app refresh
If your WhatsApp is not working on the mobile data of your Android, it might be because the background app refresh feature is turned off. This feature helps apps update in the background, making sure you get timely notifications and new messages. Here's how to turn it on for WhatsApp:
- Step 1: Open your Android phone's Settings.
- Step 2: Look for "Apps" or "Applications" in your settings.
- Step 3: Find and tap on "WhatsApp" in the list of installed apps to open its settings.
- Step 4: Inside WhatsApp settings, select "Data Usage" and toggle the switch next to "Background Data" to ON. This lets WhatsApp fetch data in the background for timely updates.
Method 2: Turn off data saver mode
As we covered earlier, activating data saver mode can disrupt your Android's mobile data connectivity. To turn it off, the steps are slightly different from the iPhone. Here's how you can do it:
- Step 1: Head to your Android phone's Settings and look for "Connections" or "Network & Internet."
- Step 2: Look for "Data Usage" or "Data Saver" and tap on it.
- Step 3: Toggle the Data Saver switch to OFF.
By turning off data saver mode, you're giving WhatsApp free rein to access mobile data without restrictions. If your WhatsApp is still misbehaving, let's try the next method to get your WhatsApp back on track on your Android device.
Method 3: Update WhatsApp
If you're encountering issues with WhatsApp not working on mobile data Android, the source of the problem might lie within your WhatsApp application itself. Making sure that your WhatsApp is up-to-date is important for smooth operation on Android.
We will show you the easiest steps on how to update WhatsApp:
- Step 1: Go to the Google Play Store.
- Step 2: Type in the search box to look for WhatsApp. Then, you will see the option to update your WhatsApp if it is available to update.
- Step 3: Tap "Update" and allow the update to finish. The WhatsApp updating process may take a while.
Part 4. Can You Access WhatsApp Without the Internet?
When you experience WhatsApp not working on mobile data, WhatsApp has introduced a new Proxy feature that lets you connect to a proxy server to continue using WhatsApp without the internet. Not many people know this trick, but we will show you how to do it:
- Step 1: Access WhatsApp on your phone and navigate to Settings > Storage and Data.
- Step 2: Under the Network tab, find and select the Proxy option.
- Step 3: Toggle the switch next to Use Proxy to enter a Proxy Address for connection.
Find a reliable proxy address from reputable sources, such as search engines like Google or from someone you trust who has created a proxy. Note down the address for future use.
- Step 4: Input the proxy address in the provided address bar and tap Save. WhatsApp will establish a connection to the entered Proxy Address. Once connected, you can use WhatsApp even without an active internet connection.
Part 5. How To Read Your WhatsApp Messages on Your Computer
When facing difficulties connecting to WhatsApp, an alternative solution is to transfer and access your WhatsApp messages on your computer. Wondershare Dr.Fone offers a dedicated WhatsApp transfer feature to facilitate this process called Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer.

Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer
One-click to transfer WhatsApp messages from Android to iPhone
- Transfer WhatsApp messages from Android to iOS, Android to Android, iOS to iOS, and iOS to Android.
- Backup WhatsApp messages from iPhone or Android on your PC.
- Allow restoring any item from the backup to iOS or Android.
- Completely or selectively preview and export WhatsApp messages from iOS backup to your computer.
- Support all iPhone and Android models.
- Step 1: Launch Dr.Fone’s WhatsApp Transfer tool on the computer.
Begin by connecting your phone device to your computer. Then, you can start launching Dr.Fone on your computer. Proceed to the Toolbox section and select WhatsApp Transfer.
- Step 2: Access the backup function.
Once the tool is open, go to WhatsApp > Backup WhatsApp messages. This action will start the backup and transfer process for your WhatsApp data on your device. You can track the progress on the next screen.
- Step 3: Finish the transfer and view.
After the backup is complete, a clear success message will appear. To view your WhatsApp messages on your computer, click "View It" to open it in a new window.
Tips: Are you looking to transfer your WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business data effortlessly between devices without needing a computer? The Dr.Fone App-WhatsApp Transfer (Android) is your perfect companion. This handy tool takes the hassle out of moving your chats and attachments, ensuring a smooth transition from one device to another without losing precious conversations.
The process of moving WhatsApp content across platforms using Dr.Fone App-WhatsApp Transfer (Android) is straightforward. Utilize one of the following guides to share your chats and media from one phone to another in no time:
For Android to iPhone
Step 1. Choose WhatsApp and Grant the Required Permissions
Get the Dr.Fone App from the Play Store and launch it to approach the “WhatsApp” tab from the bottom toolbar. Now, select “WhatsApp” for “Choose Transfer App” and tap “Android to iPhone” to proceed. On the following permission screen, press “Use This Folder” and hit “Allow” to grant the required permissions.
Step 2. Create a Backup of Your Chats to Prepare for Transfer
The app will now detect the WhatsApp backup as it is needed to ensure a comprehensive sharing of the app content. When there is no backup available, you can press “Backup” to create a new one. In case a backup is detected, you can choose to go with that or opt for “Re-Backup.” Detailed instructions will be provided on the screen to create a new app backup.
Step 3. Protect Your Data by Generating a Key and Choosing a Transfer Method
Following that, create a 64-digit key or password to secure your backup before moving the data. When done with that, select the content you wish to transfer to the iOS device. Moving forward, choose either “With USB Cable” or “No USB Cable” as the sharing method. After making the selection, follow the provided instructions to complete the WhatsApp content migration.
For iPhone to Android
Step 1. Navigate to the WhatsApp Transfer Option
Utilize the Play Store to install the Dr.Fone App on your mobile and make your way to the “WhatsApp” tab. After choosing “WhatsApp” in the “Choose Transfer App” option, tap “iPhone to Android.”
Step 2. Choose the Sharing Approach and Follow the Instructions
Following that, select a transfer method between “With USB Cable” and “No USB Cable” to proceed. Once done, follow the on-screen instructions to access the content from your iOS device, log into your WhatsApp, and restore the data on your Android.
Conclusion
In summary, fixing WhatsApp’s mobile data issues ensures effortless communication without interruptions. By identifying the cause and applying the right solutions, users can quickly restore functionality. However, ensuring your app data remains secure is equally important. Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer offers a reliable desktop solution to view and manage your chats from a computer.
You can also opt to migrate the conversations and media files from one mobile phone to another for safekeeping. For this purpose, Dr.Fone App-WhatsApp Transfer (Android) provides a robust way for direct phone-to-phone transfers.
James Davis
staff Editor