WhatsApp to stop working on millions of phones from January 1st | SEE TYPE OF PHONES
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Dec 29, 2020
A new WhatsApp update will prevent the popular messaging app from working on millions of phones from January 1st 2021.
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Older Android and iPhone devices will no longer support the latest version of the app, forcing owners to either update their mobile operating system or buy a new smartphone.
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Any iPhone not running iOS 9 or newer, or any phone not running at least Android 4.0.3 - also known as Ice Cream Sandwich - will no longer be able to open or operate the Facebook-owned app.
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This means all iPhone models up to the iPhone 4 will be unable to support WhatsApp, as these phones are not capable of updating to iOS 9.
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The iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S were all released before iOS 9, however owners can still update to the operating system if they are yet to do so.
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Android phones that will lose WhatsApp support include the Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC Desire and LG Optimus Black.
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Phone owners can see what software their device is using by checking the settings section. For iPhone users, this can be found under Settings > General > Software update.
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Most of the 2 billion WhatsApp users around the world will not be hit by the change, though the small fraction that are will likely comprise several million people worldwide.
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A similar update at the start of 2020 saw WhatsApp make the "tough decisionÔÇØ of ending support for even older phones.
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Phones set to lose WhatsApp support on 1 January 2021:
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Apple iPhone 1-4
Samsung Galaxy S2
HTC Desire
LG Optimus Black
Motorola Droid Razr
Any Android released before 2010
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Phones that will need to update to at least iOS 9 or Android OS 4.0.3:
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Apple iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S
Samsung Galaxy S3 and newer
Samsung Galaxy Note
HTC Sensation
HTC Thunderbolt
LG Lucid
Motorola Droid 4
Sony Xperia Pro and newer
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The messaging giant will also be updating its Terms of Service next year, forcing users to agree to new privacy rules in order to keep using the app.
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Earlier this month, WhatsApp confirmed to The Independent that all users "must agreeÔÇØ to the new terms by 8 February 2021 or else lose access to their chats.
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— Thompson Nsisongabasi