WhatsApp, a popular instant messaging platform, will stop working on a slew of older iPhones and Android smartphones from January 1, 2021. WhatsApp 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.
Users who want to continue using the app would need to update their devices to the latest versions of their operating system. WhatsApp has mentioned on its official website that “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. Once you have one of these devices, install WhatsApp, and register your phone number. WhatsApp can only be activated with one phone number on one device at a time”.
For iPhone users, all iPhones till the iPhone 4 are not compatible to run WhatsApp. Also, users with iPhone 4 and above would have to update their phones (if not already updated) to iOS 9 to continue using WhatsApp. Similarly, all Android users would need to update their phone to Android 40.3 or above. If you have a phone that’s not compatible to run WhatsApp after January 1, 2021, you’d have to either look for a new smartphone or you can always install other WhatsApp-like apps that don’t require the latest operating system for iOS and Android.
Talking about other WhatsApp related news, WhatsApp is already working on a slew of features to enhance the app. For instance, WhatsApp Payments or WhatsApp Pay recently went live for users across India for up to 20 million users. The feature has been launched with support from banking partners State Bank of India, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank.
If you don’t know which operating system your Android or iOS smartphone is running, you can head to settings and perform these actions:
- Android Users: Settings > About System or About Device
- iPhone users: Go to Settings > General > Information