BY: Ayomide Arowobusoye
Popular Messaging service, WhatsApp will no longer work on certain smartphones from January 1.
A new update will prevent users around the world with old devices and outdated software from using the service.
This was disclosed on the official website of the instant messaging app.
Users who have not upgraded to iOS 9 or above or Android 4.0.3 or above won’t be able to use WhatsApp on their phones anymore.
“We provide support for and recommend using the following devices: Android running OS 4.0.3 and newer, iPhone running iOS 9 and newer, select phones running KaiOS 2.5.1 newer, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2”
Similar update saw WhatsApp shutting off access to Windows devices.
Phones set to lose support on 1 January 2021:
- Apple iPhone 1-4
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- HTC Desire
- LG Optimus Black
- Motorola Droid Razr
- Any Android released before 2010
Phones that will need to update to at least iOS 9 or Android OS 4.0.3:
- Apple iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6S
- Samsung Galaxy S3 and newer
- Samsung Galaxy Note
- HTC Sensation
- HTC Thunderbolt
- LG Lucid
- Motorola Droid 4
- Sony Xperia Pro and newer
WhatsApp was founded by Jan Koum and Brian Acton who had previously spent 20 years combined at Yahoo.
WhatsApp joined Facebook in 2014, but continues to operate as a separate app with a laser focus on building a messaging service that works fast and reliably anywhere in the world.
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