The WhatsApp application will stop working on some older Android and iPhone phones as of next Tuesday. According to the platform, the application wants to focus on developing new features for users on the latest versions of the operating system, in addition to taking advantage of the latest security features and technological progress.
According to WhatsApp’s official memo, “To choose what to stop supporting, we, like other tech companies, look every year at the hardware and software that is the oldest and has the fewest people still using it. These devices may also not contain the latest security updates, or may lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.
Some older smartphones include older Android smartphones: such as the Nexus 7, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, Archos 53 Platinum, Grand S Flex ZTE, and Grand X Quad V987 Z. TE, HTC Desire 500, Huawei Ascendant, Huawei Ascendant D1, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, LG Optimus G Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus. “Motorola Droid Razr,” “Sony Xperia S2,” “Motorola Show,” “Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1,” “Asus Eee,” “Acer Iconia Tab A5003,” “HTC Desire HD,” and “LG Optimus.” 2X” and “Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc3”.
WhatsApp informs users and reminds them to upgrade their devices to continue using the application before support ends. But after October 24, WhatsApp developers will stop providing technical support and updates, which means that the device’s operating system will no longer receive automatic updates, patches, security fixes, bug fixes, or new features. If updates are not received, the operating system will still work, but it will become an easier target for hackers and malware. Most phones that WhatsApp will not support are older models.
