WhatsApp will no longer be available on these phones in 2020
Millions of older phone models will not be able to access WhatsApp in 2020 according to reports that the app service will withdraw support.
Logo of WhatsApp, the popular messaging service bought by Facebook for USD $19 billion, seen on a smartphone February 20, 2014 in New York. Facebook’s deal for the red-hot mobile messaging service WhatsApp is a savvy strategic move for the world’s biggest social network, even if the price tag is staggeringly high, analysts say. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA
Millions of older phone models will not be able to access WhatsApp in 2020 according to reports that the app service will withdraw support.
WhatsApp’s new system requirements will only allow devices capable of running at least iOS 9 or Android 3.0 to access WhatsApp. Additionally, all Windows phones are losing support from December 31 2019.
Facebook said: “WhatsApp will stop working on millions of phones in the next couple of months as the company withdraws support for some older mobile platforms.
“From February 1, 2020, any iPhone running iOS 8 or older will no longer be supported, along with any Android device running version 2.3.7 or older.”
Devices that will be affected include iPhones older than the iPhone 5, all Microsoft Lumia devices, HP Elite smartphones, and virtually all Android smartphones that launched around 2010 or earlier—such as the Google Nexus One, Samsung Epic 4G, and Motorola Droid X.
“Users of these operating systems are already unable to create new WhatsApp accounts or re-verify existing accounts. Furthermore, WhatsApp is withdrawing support for all Windows phones from December 31, 2019 — the same month that Microsoft ends support of its Windows 10 Mobile OS,” said Facebook.
This move follows a very popular trend of disinviting old devices from new operating systems. Facebook’s vision has been to integrate Messenger with Instagram messages.
Facebook bought WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. This has seen many changes to the apps as part of a larger integration plan.
You can easily update WhatsApp from your phone’s application store. Please note if you received a message that isn’t supported by your version of WhatsApp, you’ll need to update WhatsApp.
To update WhatsApp:
- Android: Go to Play Store, then tap Menu > My apps & games. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
- Alternatively, go to Play Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap UPDATE under WhatsApp Messenger.
- iPhone: Go to App Store, then tap Updates. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
- Alternatively, go to App Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
- Windows Phone 8.1: Go to Store, then tap Menu > my apps > WhatsApp > Update.
- Alternatively, go to Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap WhatsApp > Update.
- Windows Phone 10: Go to Microsoft Store, then tap Menu > My Library. Tap Update next to WhatsApp.
- Alternatively, go to Microsoft Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap WhatsApp > Update.
- KaiOS: Press JioStore or Store on the apps menu. Scroll to the side to select Social, then select WhatsApp. Press OK or SELECT > UPDATE.
“We encourage you to always use the latest version of WhatsApp. Latest versions contain the newest features and bug fixes,” said Facebook.
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