The new requirements for the world’s most popular instant messaging app will only allow devices capable of running at least iOS 9 and Android 3.0 to access WhatsApp. In addition, all Windows phones will also lose support from December 31, 2019.
The WhatsApp team continually integrates new functions that are often ‘stolen’ from sister applications, mainly Instagram, to optimize the user experience, whether it is used to talk with friends and family or to work. That is why it is important to know that from 2020 WhatsApp will no longer support certain devices.
Affected devices
“WhatsApp will stop working on millions of phones in the coming months as the company withdraws support for some older mobile platforms. As of February 1, 2020, any iPhone running iOS 8 or earlier will no longer be supported, along with with any Android device with version 2.3.7 or earlier, “explained Facebook, which bought WhatsApp for $ 19 billion in 2014.
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 were released around 2010 or earlier, such as Google Nexus One, Samsung Epic 4G. and Motorola Droid X and some models with KaiOs 2.5.1 operating system, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2.
“Users of these operating systems will no longer be able 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 for its Windows 10 Mobile operating system, “Facebook said.
This means that, in theory, it will still be possible to continue using the app (if you already have an account) , but on a limited basis, as some functions may stop working at any time. But, as we have seen, for those who use the Windows Phone operating system, they will not receive any WhatsApp support from the same January 1, 2020.
In short, incompatible with WhatsApp in 2020:
- Android Gingerbread 2.3.7 and earlier versions (as of February 1, 2020)
- Iphone 4
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 3G
- original iPhone
They need update in 2020:
- iPhone 5
- Iphone 5c
- Iphone 5s
- Iphone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
WhatsApp will be completely renewed in 2020
The reason why WhatsApp decides not to support some platforms every year is due to the limited number of users who actually use the application and the impossibility from the technical side of implementing new functions. So remember, if you have in your hands a device with Android 4.0.3 and later, iOS 9 and later or KaiOS 2.5.1 and later, you will not have any problem using WhatsApp. If not, you may still want to consider buying a new smartphone.
The company previously commented: “It was a difficult decision for us to make, but it is the right one to give people better ways to stay in touch with friends, family and loved ones using WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp is thus the latest victim of Microsoft’s almost disappeared Windows 10 Mobile operating system.
