WHATSAPP will stop working on millions of iPhone handsets after tomorrow.
The app routinely cuts off older models – and dozens of different handsets will soon be shut off.
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The bulk of the list of affected smartphones are Android models.
But two popular iPhone models – the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C – will lose support from December 31, 2022.
WhatsApp will issue an alert to affected models before the app stops working properly.
“Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates,” WhatsApp explained.
“To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them.
“These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp recommends (and supports) iPhone models running iOS 12 or later.
But the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C are unable to upgrade to iOS 12.
The oldest supported model is the iPhone 5S, which came out a year later.
Thankfully most iPhone owners with recent models will be able to upgrade to the latest iOS 16 update.
But millions of iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C were sold, and will now lose access to WhatsApp.
“Before we stop supporting your operating system, you’ll be notified directly in WhatsApp ahead of time and reminded a few times to upgrade,” WhatsApp warned.
“We’ll update this page regularly to ensure that the latest operating systems that we support are listed.”
Android, ouch!
WhatsApp is also cutting off a host of smartphones that don’t have Android 4.1 or newer.
Here’s the list of culled Android phones:
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Grand S Flex ZTE
- Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
- HTC Desire 500
- Huawei Ascend D
- Huawei Ascend D1
- Huawei Ascend D2
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend P1
- Quad XL
- Lenovo A820
- LG Enact
- LG Lucid 2
- LG Optimus 4X HD
- LG Optimus F3
- LG Optimus F3Q
- LG Optimus F5
- LG Optimus F6
- LG Optimus F7
- LG Optimus L2 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual
- LG Optimus L4 II
- LG Optimus L4 II Dual
- LG Optimus L5
- LG Optimus L5 II
- LG Optimus L5 II Dual
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L7 II Dual
- LG Optimus Nitro HD
- Memo ZTE V956
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Core
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
- Samsung Galaxy Trend II
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
- Sony Xperia Arc S
- Sony Xperia miro
- Sony Xperia Neo L
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight ZT
If you want to keep using WhatsApp after the great shutdown, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer model.
This is a good idea anyway, as you’ll be missing out on important security patches by using such an old smartphone.
That means you’re a prime target for hackers who can exploit well-known holes to access your private information.
So always make sure that you’re using a smartphone that can still receive the latest updates for your operating system (iOS or Android) and apps.
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