WhatsApp will stop working on a number of devices from today with more call makers being targeted later this year as well.
If you have an ageing phone in your pocket and love chatting via WhatsApp it could be time to switch to something new. It’s just been confirmed that any smartphone running an older version of Android will lose support for the popular application from tomorrow, January 1.
The change is being introduced to make sure WhatsApp keeps pace with the latest technology but that does mean a swathe of phones can no longer access it. Before you get too worried, the update should only affect a small number of users as the operating system being targeted by WhatsApp is Android KitKat – that’s an OS Google first launched over 10 years ago.
If you are still concerned that WhatsApp is about to disappear from your device here is a list of some of the most popular call makers being affected by the change – via GSMArena.
• Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy Ace 3, Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
• Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), Motorola Razr HD, Motorola Moto E 2014
• HTC One X, HTC One X+, HTC Desire 500, HTC Desire 601
• LG Nexus 4, LG G2 Mini, L90
• Sony Xperia Z, Sony Xperia T, Sony Xperia V
If you are running the latest versions of Android – such as Android 13, 12, 11 or 10 – you won’t have any issues, and you’ll be able to continue using the service as normal.
News of this block comes as a trio of older Apple smartphones are also about to be blocked from the Meta-owned platform.
The worrying update, which was recently spotted by the ever-reliable team at WAbetaInfo, shows a warning message telling users of older devices that things will stop working early next year.
The change will impact owners of call makers including the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus – these were all released over 10 years ago but there are sure to be plenty of people still using them.
If you are one of the unlucky ones, you now have around six months to switch to something new or lose access to your WhatsApp chats.
