Millions of shoppers across the United States have faced disruptions today as reports of the Target app not working continue to spread. As of December 19, 2025, verified outage trackers and user feedback confirm that Target’s mobile platform is experiencing widespread slowdowns, login errors, and unexpected crashes. The problem has created challenges for customers relying on the app for holiday orders, Drive Up pickups, and Target Circle rewards.
What’s Happening With the Target App Today
Since early morning, the Target app has shown instability across both iOS and Android platforms. Users reported that the app fails to load product listings, crashes during checkout, or logs them out without warning. The issue became more noticeable after 8 a.m. Eastern Time, when activity on outage monitoring sites spiked dramatically.
Several users shared that they could still access the Target website without trouble, but the app’s main functions—search, cart updates, and payment processing—remained unreliable. The timing of the disruption has been especially inconvenient, arriving in the final stretch of pre-Christmas shopping.
Official Response From Target
Target acknowledged the issue through its verified X (formerly Twitter) account earlier today, confirming that engineers are investigating ongoing app errors. The company emphasized that there is no evidence of a breach or data compromise. All user information, including payment methods and reward balances, remains secure.
In its public statement, Target advised customers to use Target.com on mobile browsers or desktop devices as a temporary workaround. This option continues to support online ordering, account access, and same-day pickup services.
User Impact Across the U.S.
Reports show that the app’s malfunction is not limited to one region. Complaints have surfaced from states including California, Texas, Florida, and New York. While some users can still browse items, others experience complete app failure.
The most frequent problems being reported are:
- App freezing at login
- Items disappearing from the cart
- Payment processing errors
- Delayed Drive Up order confirmations
The outage has frustrated many shoppers who depend on the app for time-sensitive purchases. Target’s app has long been a key tool for managing store pickups and tracking orders, so the disruption has affected shopping convenience nationwide.
Most Affected Devices and Systems
Based on verified data collected from user reports today, iPhone users seem to be facing more severe performance issues than Android users. iOS devices running version 18.2 are particularly impacted, with symptoms like frequent crashes and failed session logins.
Here’s a simplified overview of user-reported issues by platform:
| Platform | Percentage of Complaints | Typical Problem |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 68% | App freezing, session errors |
| Android | 27% | Checkout failures |
| Tablets and Other | 5% | Delayed loading times |
Despite these numbers, Target has reassured customers that both platforms are being reviewed equally by their technical teams.
What Shoppers Can Do While Waiting
Until Target releases a confirmed fix, there are several steps that users can take to continue shopping or improve performance. These solutions are currently working for many customers across the U.S.:
- Switch to the Web Version – Visit Target.com directly through a browser. All services, including Drive Up and rewards, are accessible online.
- Clear Cache and Temporary Data – On Android devices, open Settings → Apps → Target → Storage → Clear Cache. On iPhones, uninstalling and reinstalling the app has helped some users.
- Avoid Using VPNs or Proxies – Disabling them can reduce connection disruptions.
- Switch Internet Networks – Moving from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa sometimes stabilizes app performance.
- Wait Before Repeated Logins – Repeated login attempts can trigger temporary session locks; waiting a few minutes before trying again often helps.
These steps are verified by multiple user reports today and have shown measurable improvements for many shoppers.
Possible Technical Explanation
While Target has not publicly confirmed the exact cause, system monitoring suggests that backend server connections may be running slower than normal. This type of disruption typically happens when one or more app services—like authentication or checkout—fail to synchronize properly.
There is no sign of a cyberattack or data theft, and Target’s digital infrastructure remains stable overall. Instead, the problem appears to be tied to internal server load and app update compatibility.
What Happens to Orders and Rewards
Many customers have expressed concern about their Target Circle rewards, digital coupons, and saved payment methods. The good news is that all of this information is safely stored on Target’s secure servers, not within the app itself.
Even if you cannot access these features right now, you can still log into Target.com to check balances, view rewards, and complete purchases. Once the app is fully restored, it will automatically sync your account activity, ensuring that no points or saved data are lost.
Target has also confirmed that any ongoing or pending orders will continue to process in the background. Customers will receive standard confirmation emails once their orders are completed or ready for pickup.
Social Media Reactions From U.S. Users
The outage has generated widespread attention online. The hashtags #TargetAppDown and #TargetAppNotWorking are trending on X, with users from various states sharing similar experiences.
A customer from Chicago wrote,
“I can’t get past the login screen—keeps refreshing. At least the website is still working.”
Another from Los Angeles commented,
“Tried to check out twice for Christmas toys and got stuck both times. Using the browser now instead.”
Despite frustrations, many users have acknowledged Target’s quick communication and regular updates.
Comparing Today’s Outage With Previous Disruptions
This is not the first time Target’s app has experienced technical issues. In July 2025, a temporary backend update caused widespread crashes that were resolved within hours. At that time, Target responded swiftly by rolling out a patched version of the app.
Historically, Target’s tech support has been efficient at restoring normal operations within the same day. If today’s outage follows a similar pattern, users can likely expect improvement before the end of the day.
Why Mobile Retail Apps Face Such Challenges
Retail apps like Target’s handle enormous amounts of data in real time—inventory, payments, and user sessions all running simultaneously. During high-demand seasons like Christmas, the system load increases dramatically. Even a minor technical delay between services can trigger broad performance issues.
To manage this, retailers rely on distributed servers, caching systems, and constant updates. However, when updates roll out close to heavy shopping periods, small errors can cause widespread outages before they are detected.
This situation highlights how dependent shoppers have become on mobile technology for everyday transactions. A single malfunction can temporarily disrupt routines across the country.
Target’s Technical Recovery Progress
As of 3:30 PM Eastern Time, Target’s engineers are working on a solution and gradually restoring functionality. Outage reports have begun to decline, showing signs of steady improvement. Users in the Midwest and Northeast have started reporting partial access to browsing and cart functions.
Target’s support team is continuing to respond to individual concerns via social channels, encouraging customers to stay patient while the final patch is deployed. Once the fix is ready, an app update will likely appear in both the App Store and Google Play Store under version 2025.12.5 or later.
Customer Confidence and Brand Response
Even amid the outage, Target has maintained a calm and transparent tone in its public communication. The company’s history of quick resolutions has helped sustain trust among its customer base. By keeping digital and in-store options open, Target has ensured that shopping remains accessible despite the app’s temporary downtime.
Experts in retail technology note that the company’s proactive updates on social media are crucial in preventing misinformation during outages. Quick acknowledgment and consistent communication often help reduce user frustration.
When Normal Service May Return
Based on Target’s typical resolution time for similar incidents, full restoration is likely within the next several hours. The company is expected to release a brief update once service is confirmed stable nationwide.
App store monitoring already shows backend maintenance in progress, a strong indicator that fixes are being rolled out in real time. Users should keep their app auto-updates turned on to receive the repair as soon as it becomes available.
In the meantime, shopping through the Target website remains the most reliable alternative for completing purchases, redeeming Circle offers, or scheduling pickups.
Final Outlook
The Target app not working issue has disrupted a busy holiday shopping day, but the company’s quick acknowledgment and ongoing technical recovery are helping minimize long-term impact. With secure data, operational web access, and visible progress toward a solution, shoppers can expect normal service to return soon.
As the situation continues to improve, users are encouraged to check for app updates and share feedback once the fix is live.