WhatsApp is about to cease functioning on older phone models from the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Huawei.
The world’s most popular messaging service will end support for 49 different models of smartphones on December 31.
‘Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates,’ WhatsApp said.
‘These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.’
‘To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them.’
This doesn’t mean WhatsApp will stop working entirely on these older phones – it just means the company won’t support them with updates. So bugs and other issues may crop up over time without any fix available.
Similarly, you won’t get access to any new WhatsApp features that get released.
If you can, it may be possible to update the operating system on your older device and continue using WhatsApp as normal.
If your device can’t be updated to a recent operating system version, you will need to buy a newer phone. (WhatsApp to stop working on old iPhone and Android phones next week)
WhatsApp to stop working on old iPhone and Android phones next week
Here’s the full list of phones that won’t be able to run WhatsApp properly after next week:
- iPhone 5
- Phone 5c
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Grand S Flex ZTE
- Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
- HTC Desire 500
- Huawei Ascend D
- Huawei Ascend D1
- Huawei Ascend D2
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend P1
- Quad XL
- Lenovo A820
- LG Enact
- LG Lucid 2
- LG Optimus 4X HD
- LG Optimus F3
- LG Optimus F3Q
- LG Optimus F5
- LG Optimus F6
- LG Optimus F7
- LG Optimus L2 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual
- LG Optimus L4 II
- LG Optimus L4 II Dual
- LG Optimus L5
- LG Optimus L5 Dual
- LG Optimus L5 II
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L7 II Dual
- LG Optimus Nitro HD
- Memo ZTE V956
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Core
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 mini
- Samsung Galaxy Trend II
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
- Sony Xperia Arc S
- Sony Xperia miro
- Sony Xperia Neo L
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight ZT
WhatsApp recommends Apple’s iOS 9 and above, and Android v4.3 and above, to continue to receive support.
Any phone running Android 4.3 or below, and iOS 9 or below, won’t run WhatsApp reliably after 31st December 31, 2022.
The platform already ended support for smartphones running Android 2.3.7 and iOS 8 in February of this year.
#WhatsApp to stop working on old iPhone and Android phones next week
