Popular chat app will stop working on certain Android, iOS phones
HIGHLIGHTS
- WhatsApp will also not work on a number of Android and iOS phones from 1 February, 2020
- On 31 December 2019, WhatsApp withdrew support for Windows Phones
Come 1 February, WhatsApp will stop working on a number of Android and iOS smartphones.
As updated on the FAQ section of the Facebook-owned messaging app, there are several smartphones that may not be able to run the app as the company will withdraw support for older versions of OS.
According to the information on WhatsApp FAQ section, Android phones running on Android 2.3.7 operating system and lower as well as iPhones running on iOS 8 and lower will not be compatible with the chat app in another couple of weeks from now.
However, the instant messaging platform will keep the app running for select phones with KaiOS 2.5.1+ OS, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2.
WhatsApp also stressed on the fact that these older versions of Android and iOS operating systems “can no longer create new accounts, nor re-verify existing accounts after February 1, 2020.”
If you are still using these lower version OS on your phones for using WhatsApp, and don’t want to lose all your chats and information after 1 February, 2020, there is an option to save your chats:
-Open the chat you wish to export, and tap on Chats.
-Tap ‘Export Chat’. You’ll then be given the option to download the chat with or without media. Choose your option and export all your chats.
WhatsApp also highlighted that the decision to end WhatsApp support for these Android phones and iPhones will not affect a lot of users.
Here is the list of all the operating systems that will not support WhatsApp from next year:
-Android versions 2.3.7 and older
-iOS 8 and older
-All Windows OS phones from 31 December, 2019
WhatsApp also listed the operating systems that the app supports and recommends users to use the following updated devices:
-Android running OS 4.0.3+
-iPhone running iOS 9+
-Select phones running KaiOS 2.5.1+, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2
Earlier, on 31 December, 2019, WhatsApp withdrew support for Windows Phone operating systems stating that the app, “no longer actively develop for these operating systems, and thus, some features might stop functioning at any time.”
