WhatsApp will soon stop working on older phone models made by companies including Apple, Samsung, and Huawei.
On December 31, the most widely used messaging service in the world will stop supporting 49 distinct smartphone models.
According to WhatsApp, "Devices and software change frequently, therefore we continually assess what operating systems we support and make upgrades."
Additionally, "These devices might not have the most recent security upgrades, or might not have the features needed to run WhatsApp."
Every year, like other technology businesses, "we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest amount of people currently using them" to decide what to stop supporting.
Although the business won't provide updates for them, this doesn't mean WhatsApp will completely stop working on these older phones. As a result, defects and other problems could appear over time without a fix.
Likewise, you won't be able to use any newly announced WhatsApp features.
If you can, you might be able to update your older device's operating system and keep using WhatsApp normally.
You will need to purchase a newer phone if your handset cannot be updated to a more recent operating system version.
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
