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.
AppleThe iPhone 5C is one of the models being cut off from WhatsApp[/caption]
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 PlatinumGrand S Flex ZTEGrand X Quad V987 ZTEHTC Desire 500Huawei Ascend DHuawei Ascend D1Huawei Ascend D2Huawei Ascend G740Huawei Ascend MateHuawei Ascend P1Quad XLLenovo A820LG EnactLG Lucid 2LG Optimus 4X HDLG Optimus F3LG Optimus F3QLG Optimus F5LG Optimus F6LG Optimus F7LG Optimus L2 IILG Optimus L3 IILG Optimus L3 II DualLG Optimus L4 IILG Optimus L4 II DualLG Optimus L5LG Optimus L5 IILG Optimus L5 II DualLG Optimus L7LG Optimus L7 IILG Optimus L7 II DualLG Optimus Nitro HDMemo ZTE V956Samsung Galaxy Ace 2Samsung Galaxy CoreSamsung Galaxy S2Samsung Galaxy S3 MiniSamsung Galaxy Trend IISamsung Galaxy Trend LiteSamsung Galaxy Xcover 2Sony Xperia Arc SSony Xperia miroSony Xperia Neo LWiko Cink FiveWiko 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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