WhatsApp will stop supporting millions of older model smartphones later this month. Hence, users whose phone models are on this list released by WhatsApp, they need to either upgrade their device or simply move to another chat app.
Early this year, WhatsApp announced that it will not support phones such as the iPhone 3GS and Android handsets from the end of 2016. As a result, people owning these devices will not be able to send or receive messages on the chat app any longer, The Independent reported.
In a blog post published on its website in Feb. 26, 2016, WhatsApp, the company owned by Facebook, recommended that people owing older phone should purchase a new handset before the December 2016 end. "If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using WhatsApp," the blog said.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, WhatsApp further said that the company was initiating the change to ensure that the platform is more secure. At the same time, it said that the move will help the company to focus on new features.
The blog, which was posted on the seventh anniversary of the company, said that when WhatsApp was introduced in 2009, the Apple Store, which was just few months old. At that time, almost 70 percent of devices marketed during that time ran on operating systems offered by Nokia and BlackBerry. About 99.5 percent of smartphones sold today run on operating systems offered by Google, Apple and Microsoft, the company stated.
The company updated its post later to confirming that it will extend support for all BlackBerry phones until June 2017 end. Apparently the decision was taken in response to user pressure. However, all BlackBerry phones, including relatively newer devices like the BlackBerry 10, will be deprived of WhatsApp from July 1, 2017.
Aside from BlackBerry devices, WhatsApp will also end support for the iPhone 3GS, handsets running on Windows Phone 7 as well as those using Android 2.1 or Android 2.2. The chat service will also stop supporting first, second, third or fourth generation iPad, which have not been updated to iOS 9.3.
WhatsApp to end support to Nokia devices on Dec. 31, 2016: