Starbucks said its app suffered a partial outage and mistakenly blasted ‘order ready’ notifications to customers

• A Starbucks app glitch sent an “order ready” notification to customers’ phones.
• Starbucks said the messages were sent in error, and that its app was suffering a partial outage.
• It’s not the first time the app has malfunctioned. 

If you got an app notification Wednesday that a Starbucks order you didn’t place was ready for pick up, you weren’t alone. Starbucks’ app malfunctioned and sent the notifications by mistake, the company told Insider. The app also suffered a partial outage.

“Earlier today, a push notification from the Starbucks app was sent as an error, customers were not charged for an order if one was not placed,” a Starbucks representative said in a statement. “We are also currently experiencing a temporary outage of the order ahead and pay feature in our app. We apologize for the inconvenience and continue to welcome and serve customers in our drive-thrus and stores. If a customer needs additional support, we encourage them to contact the Starbucks customer care team.”

Confused Starbucks users took to Twitter to show their angst about the app. Some said their order histories were wiped out, while others thought they were being hacked. A few also reported issues with their passwords.

Dozens of Starbucks customers also reported glitches to DownDetector, a website that tracks app outages.  

Some users, including Insider staff, are reporting error messages on the app, including a cheeky one that reads: “We’re cleaning up a big spill. While we tidy up, an expert barista can take your order in the store. Thanks for your patience.”

This isn’t the first issue Starbucks has had with its app. 

Last summer, the company faced days of technical issues, including widespread issues with mobile ordering, the Wall Street Journal reported.

In March, the app sent out a test notification to its users, setting off concern about a data breach. The company said there was no breach of customer information.

Starbucks’ Rewards program is popular, boasting more than 30 million members. Mobile orders make up about 27% of Starbucks transactions in the US.

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