WhatsApp will soon end support for another round of older versions of iOS and Android. As described in WhatsApp’s Recently Updated system requirements, you must have a device with at least iOS 9 or Android 4.0.3 to use WhatsApp after January 1, 2021.
Notable devices losing WhatsApp support next year include the iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S2, and the Droid Razr.
WhatsApp’s move is not surprising. All technology gets behind at some point and this now seems to be an annual tradition for WhatsApp. Last year, the company even removed older Android devices, iPhones and all Windows phones from its list of supported devices, and we suspect there will be another round of cuts in 12 months.
These changes are likely due to Facebook’s recent integration of WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram direct messages into a single, cross-platform service that doesn’t work well with older operating systems.
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That said, most of the affected devices are around ten years old and are no longer supported with OS updates themselves. So if you’re still holding an old iPhone, it could be another sign that it’s time to upgrade.
If your device is still eligible but the operating system is not, make sure to update your smartphone to meet the new WhatsApp requirements. You can check your Android version and whether any updates are available under Settings> About phone. iPhone users can do the same in Settings> General> Software Update.
If your device’s operating system is too low and no update is available, it might also be worth checking out WhatsApp alternatives if you don’t feel like buying a new phone. We can’t guarantee that other chat apps will support your super old smartphone too, but they’re worth exploring if WhatsApp cuts you off.
This article was originally published in December 2019 and updated on December 30, 2020 with new WhatsApp requirements.
[BGR]