September 17, 2024
Global

WhatsApp to Stop Working on Millions of Phones this Year

WhatsApp, the leading messaging application worldwide, has announced it will no longer support 35 mobile devices that operate on older versions of Google and Apple operating systems. This decision aims to ensure compatibility across a wide range of smartphones, including those running Android, iOS, and other alternative operating systems.

Affected Devices
The list of devices losing WhatsApp support includes models from prominent manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, Sony, LG, and Apple. While some of these devices are quite dated, others have respectable hardware but cannot upgrade to newer operating systems. This decision has surprised some users who still rely on these older devices for accessing WhatsApp.

Complete List of Affected Devices
Samsung

  • Galaxy Ace Plus
  • Galaxy Core
  • Galaxy Express 2
  • Galaxy Grand
  • Galaxy Note 3 N9005 LTE
  • Galaxy Note 3 Neo LTE+
  • Galaxy S 19500
  • Galaxy S3 Mini VE
  • Galaxy S4 Active
  • Galaxy S4 Mini I9190
  • Galaxy S4 Mini I9192 Duos
  • Galaxy S4 Mini I9195 LTE
  • Galaxy S4 Zoom

Motorola

  • Moto G
  • Moto X

Apple

  • iPhone 5
  • iPhone 5C
  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6S Plus
  • iPhone 6S
  • iPhone SE


Huawei

  • Ascend P6 S
  • Ascend G525
  • Huawei C199
  • Huawei GX1s
  • Huawei Y625


Lenovo

  • Lenovo 46600
  • Lenovo A858T
  • Lenovo P70
  • Lenovo S890


Sony

  • Xperia Z1
  • Xperia E3


LG

  • Optimus 4X HD P880
  • Optimus G
  • Optimus G Pro
  • Optimus L7


Other Devices

  • Sony Xperia M
  • Lenovo A820
  • Faea F1
  • THL W8
  • Archos 53 Platinum
  • Wiko Cink Five
  • Wiko Darknight
  • ZTE V956
  • ZTE UMi X2
  • ZTE Grand S Flex
  • ZTE Grand Memo


Recommendations for Users
To continue using WhatsApp seamlessly, the company recommends users have a device running at least Android 5.0 or an iPhone with iOS 12 or later. Devices with older operating systems will no longer receive updates, posing security risks.

This announcement has garnered significant attention, especially from long-time users of older devices. The move to discontinue support is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience and maintain app security and functionality.

By keeping up with the latest operating systems, WhatsApp ensures users benefit from the latest features and security improvements, making communication safer and more efficient.

This decision underscores the importance of software updates and reflects a broader industry trend of phasing out support for older technologies in favor of newer, more secure options.