WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. One of the signature features of WhatsApp is its tick system that shows the delivery status of messages. You may have noticed that sometimes a message only shows one grey tick instead of the normal two grey ticks or two blue ticks.
So why does this happen? Here’s an in-depth look at what the different ticks on WhatsApp mean and the reasons why you may only see one grey tick on your messages.
What do the ticks on WhatsApp mean?
WhatsApp uses ticks or check marks to indicate the status of message delivery. Here’s what each tick means:
- One grey tick – Your message has been successfully sent from your device to the WhatsApp server.
- Two grey ticks – Your message has been delivered to the recipient’s device.
- Two blue ticks – The recipient has read your message.
So when you only see one grey tick, it means your message has reached WhatsApp’s server but has not yet been delivered to the recipient’s device.
Why does a message only show one grey tick?
There are a few possible reasons why your WhatsApp message may have just one grey tick and no second tick:
1. Recipient has no internet connection
One of the most common reasons for getting just one grey tick is that the recipient does not have an active internet connection at the moment. WhatsApp requires the recipient to be connected to the internet in order to receive your messages. If they have no internet connectivity, WhatsApp will not be able to deliver your message to their device.
2. Recipient’s phone is switched off
If the recipient’s phone is switched off or not connected to the network, WhatsApp will not be able to deliver your message. Even if internet connectivity is present, your message will remain pending on WhatsApp’s server until the recipient turns on their device and connects to the network.
3. Your message is queued on WhatsApp’s server
Sometimes if the recipient’s phone is actively connected but their WhatsApp is temporarily unavailable, your message will get queued up on WhatsApp’s server. This usually happens when the recipient’s phone battery has died or their WhatsApp is undergoing an update. The message will be delivered as soon as WhatsApp becomes available on the recipient’s device.
4. Recipient’s phone storage is full
WhatsApp requires free storage space on the recipient’s phone in order to deliver new messages. If their phone storage is completely full, WhatsApp will not be able to save your message on their device and only one tick will show up.
5. You have been blocked by the recipient
If you are blocked by the recipient, WhatsApp will not allow your messages to be delivered to them. Even though your message reaches WhatsApp’s server, the block prevents it from being sent to the recipient’s device.
6. Recipient’s account was banned or deactivated
If the recipient’s WhatsApp account has been banned or deactivated by WhatsApp, your messages will remain undelivered and only one grey tick will show up.
7. Temporary issue or glitch
In some cases, it could also be a temporary technical glitch that’s preventing your message from being delivered fully. Trying again after some time may resolve the issue.
When will the second grey tick appear?
If the issue is temporary, you will see the second grey tick once the recipient’s device regains internet connectivity or they restart their phone. However, if they have blocked you or deactivated their account, the second tick will never appear.
WhatsApp tries to deliver messages for up to 30 days in case there is an issue with the recipient’s connectivity. If the messages remain undelivered after 30 days, only one tick will show permanently.
What to do if there is only one grey tick?
If your important messages are stuck on one grey tick for a long time, here are a few things you can try:
- Check if the recipient’s phone is switched off or lacks connectivity at the moment.
- Send a test message to other contacts to rule out an issue with your device.
- Restart your phone and check if new messages deliver fully.
- Update your WhatsApp app as well as phone software to the latest version.
- Clear cache and data for WhatsApp app and retry sending the message.
- Log out and log back in to your WhatsApp account.
- Contact the recipient through another medium to confirm everything is alright.
If none of these steps work, the issue likely lies with the recipient’s device or account settings. The best option is to directly contact them through a phone call to identify and troubleshoot the problem.
How to prevent messages getting stuck on one tick?
To avoid your important messages getting stuck under one tick, follow these tips:
- Always check if your messages have two ticks for confirmation, especially for time-sensitive communication.
- Enable WhatsApp chat backup so your messages have an extra layer of redundancy.
- Get in the habit of confirming important messages over a phone call as well.
- If messages to a particular contact get stuck often, check with them if everything is configured properly on their end.
- Avoid sending messages to inactive accounts or contacts you have blocked.
Conclusion
A single grey tick on WhatsApp indicates your message has been sent by your device but not yet delivered to the recipient. This happens due to issues like no internet connectivity, switched off device, banned account or storage constraints on the recipient’s end. If it’s an important message, try contacting the recipient through another means or troubleshoot for potential app or device problems. Proper confirmation of important messages can save you from a lot of confusion or missed communication.