WhatsApp will stop working on these older phones
WhatsApp will stop working on these older phones
WhatsApp will stop working on old smartphones in two months, leaving millions of people unable to see messages.
The messaging platform will remove support for a range of old smartphone models come November 1 – meaning millions could be left without access to messages, photos, and videos from loved ones.
Some 43 models – both Android and iOS – will be unable to use the encrypted messaging service.
Smartphones models with Android 4.0.4 or earlier will become incompatible, as well as iPhones with iOS 9 or earlier installed.
These phones are:
- Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini, Trend II, Trend Lite, Core, Ace 2
- LG Optimus F7, F5, L3 II Dual, F7 II, F5 II
- Sony Xperia
- Huawei Ascend Mate and Ascend D2
- Apple iPhone SE, 6S, and 6S Plus
It comes as WhatsApp added loads of new features this year, including disappearing messages, joinable group calls, and stickers.
It claims phasing out support for older phones will make the app run more securely.
The messaging service has lost many users over the last year due to ongoing security concerns over its new terms of service.
WhatsApp was traditionally known for it encrypted messaging service but recent changes to the way it handles users’ data has created an uproar.
These measures would hand user data to private companies for marketing purposes.
WhatsApp scrapped the plans following major backlash, which saw competitor Telegram surpass one billion downloads.
It comes as big tech continues to close in on support for old kit.
Google announced it would end sign-in support for older Android devices this month, meaning anyone with a phone older than Android 2.3.7 would no longer be able to access basic Google services that make their phones functional.
It comes as WhatsApp was fined USD$267m – the second-highest fine under new data protection laws – after it was found to have breached EU data regulations.
An investigation by Ireland’s privacy watchdog found that the company broke regulations around the transparency of data shared by its parent firm Facebook, according to Sky News.
The Data Protection Commission said the case against WhatsApp examined whether Facebook followed GDPR rules to be transparent for both users and non-users and ordered it to take “remedial actions” to comply with EU laws.
WhatsApp had vowed to appeal the decision.