WhatsApp has announced that it will end support certain smartphone devices from November 1, 2021.
Android devices running OS 4.0.4 and older and iPhones that have iOS 9 or earlier will no longer be supported by WhatsApp.
Even though WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world, it is understandable that they cannot continue support all devices forever.
The move by WhatsApp to end support is being undertaken in order to provide optimal service for users.
Over the last few months, WhatsApp has been rolling out an array of new features, such as Joinable Calls, disappearing messages and stickers.
Also, they have been working on a feature to listen to voice notes before sending them. After recording an audio clip, users will then have the options to either delete, send or listen to the piece recorded.
Devices Affected
Here’s a complete list of devices that will be affected:
Apple: iPhone SE, 6S and 6S Plus
Samsung: Galaxy Trend II, Galaxy SII, Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite, Galaxy S3 mini, Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy Xcover 2, and Galaxy Core
Huawei: Huawei Ascend G740, Ascend D1 Quad XL, Ascend P1 S, Ascend Mate, Ascend D Quad XL, and Ascend D2
LG: LG Lucid 2, Optimus F7, Optimus F5, Optimus L3 II Dual, Optimus F5, Optimus L5, Optimus L5 II, Optimus L5 Dual, Optimus L3 II, Optimus L7, Optimus L7 II Dual, Optimus L7 II, Optimus F6, Enact , Optimus L4 II Dual, Optimus F3, Optimus L4 II, Optimus L2 II, Optimus Nitro HD and 4X HD, and Optimus F3Q
ZTE: ZTE Grand S Flex, ZTE V956, Grand Memo and Grand X Quad V987
Sony: Sony Xperia Neo L, Sony Xperia Miro, and Xperia Arc S
Others: Lenovo A820, HTC Desire 500, Alcatel One Touch Evo 7, Archos 53 Platinum, Faea F1, Caterpillar Cat B15, Wiko Cink Five, Wiko Darknight, UMi X2, and THL W8
If you are one of the select few people that need to upgrade to keep using WhatsApp, the process is relatively easy.
As long as you’re moving from iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android, you can easily transfer your chat history. WhatsApp published an entire page detailing the process on its website.
If you’re moving from iOS to Android, the company just introduced a new tool to make this possible. We wrote about it recently. Checkout the article WhatsApp to allow chat history transfers between iOS and Android.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to move from Android to iOS quite yet, but this feature is in the works as well.