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[CIPHERTEXT] Message Displayed in WaaPY

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Overview

This document describes the causes, behavior, and resolution steps when messages appear as [CIPHERTEXT] Message is encrypted in WaaPY.

The goal is to standardize troubleshooting and recovery steps across all WaaPY instances.

This document acts as a reference guide for support, operations, and technical teams.

Problem Statement

Issue: Messages in WaaPY appear as "[CIPHERTEXT] Message is encrypted" instead of the actual message content.

Why This Happens

Ciphertext issues can occur for several reasons:

  • Recent WhatsApp updates that change message encryption behavior
  • End-to-end encrypted messages, which prevent WaaPY from capturing message content directly

On WhatsApp Web, these messages usually appear in a similar encrypted or restricted format.

Resolution Strategy

The resolution follows a structured flow to ensure consistency and completeness.

1. Version Verification (Mandatory)

Ensure the client’s WaaPY instance is running the minimum required versions:

  • Interface Version: 1.7.0 or later
  • Engine Version: 1.9.0 or later

Steps:

  • Go to Settings in WaaPY
  • Verify the current versions
  • If the instance is not on the latest version, inform the internal team to perform an update

Updates must be completed before proceeding with any other steps.

2. Connection Reset (Post-Update)

Once the instance is updated:

  1. Navigate to Connections
  2. Disconnect the connection experiencing the ciphertext issue
  3. Go to Session Management
  4. Clean up all inactive sessions
  5. Reconnect the connection
3. WhatsApp Device Sync Requirement

While WaaPY is generating a new QR code:

  • Ensure the WhatsApp mobile app is turned on and active
  • This is required for message re-synchronization and encryption key exchange
4. WhatsApp Web Verification
  • Check WhatsApp Web to identify the specific message causing the ciphertext issue
  • Messages that appear different from known ciphertext may still be able to sync into WaaPY

This step helps determine whether the issue is message-specific or session-related.
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Message Resync Guidelines

Personal Chats

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  • Click the three-dot menu in the chat
  • Select Resync Messages
  • You can resync messages from up to 7 days back

Group Chats

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  • Go to Connections
  • Click on Groups
  • Select a resync range of up to 31 days
Key Notes
  • Ciphertext issues are not always system bugs; many are caused by WhatsApp-side encryption changes
  • Updating and reconnecting the session resolves most cases
  • Always verify behavior on WhatsApp Web as part of diagnosis
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