WhatsApp will End Support for Select Android Phones After October

WhatsApp will stop working on certain older Android phones and iPhones from October 24, 2023. According to the platform, it wants to focus on developing new features for the users on more recent versions of the operating system, as well as taking advantage of the latest security features and technological advances. So in order to focus on new, it is ending support for some of the old smartphone models running on Android OS version 4.1 and older.

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“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,” reads the official note on WhatsApp faq.

List of devices which will not support WhatsApp

Some of the outdated smartphones include older Android smartphones:

1. Samsung Galaxy S2
2. Nexus 7
3. iPhone 5
4. iPhone 5c
5. Archos 53 Platinum
6. Grand S Flex ZTE
7. Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
8. HTC Desire 500
9. Huawei Ascend D
10. Huawei Ascend D1
11. HTC One
12. Sony Xperia Z
13. LG Optimus G Pro
14. Samsung Galaxy Nexus
15. HTC Sensation
16. Motorola Droid Razr
17. Sony Xperia S2
18. Motorola Xoom
19. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
20. Asus Eee Pad Transformer
21. Acer Iconia Tab A5003
22. Samsung Galaxy S
23. HTC Desire HD
24. LG Optimus 2X
25. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc3

However, before ending support, WhatsApp is notifying users and reminding them to upgrade their device to continue using WhatsApp. But after October 24, WhatsApp developers will stop providing technical support and updates. This means that the device’s OS will no longer receive automatic updates, patches, security fixes, bug fixes, or new features. If updates are not received, the OS will still work, but it will become an easier target for hackers and malware.

Notably, most of the phones that will no longer be supported by WhatsApp are old models that are not widely used today. However, if you still own one of these phones, you should upgrade to a newer device. This is because many apps, including WhatsApp, stop supporting outdated operating systems.

How to check device OS

Meanwhile, if you want to check the Android OS version your smartphone is running, specifically for devices using Android OS version 4.1 or older, you can check this information within the device’s settings menu. To do so, navigate to Settings > About phone > Software information. You will find your Android version listed under the “Version” category.