14 DAY TRIAL // Just like any other piece of software out there, WhatsApp is trying to improve the experience it offers to users with new capabilities.
And every once in a while, going for new-generation features means the parent company also needs to update the system requirements, as only newer operating systems and technology can run the technology that it develops.
As a result, some devices occasionally lose support for WhatsApp, and this is precisely what’s happening on December 31.
The company is warning that WhatsApp will stop working on no more, no less than 50 devices, including big names like the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5c.
For owners of these iPhone models, this isn’t by any means a surprise, as WhatsApp no longer received updates anyway. However, given they are powered by old versions of iOS, the whole thing makes a lot of sense.
For example, the iPhone 5 was announced by Apple in 2012, and the latest update that it received was iOS 10.3.4 in 2019. Launched with iOS 6 pre-installed, the iPhone 5 is therefore an outdated device that shouldn’t be around anymore, unless you use it without an Internet connection and only for phone calls.
The same thing for iPhone 5c. Launched in 2013 with iOS 7, it was also updated until iOS 10.3.4 came out in 2019.
WhatsApp says only devices running Android 4.1 and newer and iPhones powered by iOS 12 and newer can run its messaging app.
“Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates. 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,” the company says.
Here's the full list of devices losing WhatsApp support on December 31 (as per GizChina):
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Grand S Flex ZTE
- Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
- HTC Desire 500
- Huawei Ascend D
- Huawei Ascend D1
- Huawei Ascend D2
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend P1
- Quad XL
- Lenovo A820
- LG Enact
- LG Lucid 2
- LG Optimus 4X HD
- LG Optimus F3
- LG Optimus F3Q
- LG Optimus F5
- LG Optimus F6
- LG Optimus F7
- LG Optimus L2 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual
- LG Optimus L4 II
- LG Optimus L4 II Dual
- LG Optimus L5
- LG Optimus L5 Dual
- LG Optimus L5 II
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L7 II Dual
- LG Optimus Nitro HD
- Memo ZTE V956
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Core
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 mini
- Samsung Galaxy Trend II
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
- Sony Xperia Arc S
- Sony Xperia miro
- Sony Xperia Neo L
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight ZT
While the change could take many by surprise, WhatsApp explains that it will still provide several warnings in advance to users, just to make sure everybody is aware that the messaging app would stop working on their devices unless they update.
“Before we stop supporting your operating system, you'll be notified directly in WhatsApp ahead of time and reminded a few times to upgrade,” the company explains.
As you can see, the list mostly includes older devices, both on iOS and Android, so there's a chance that not too many users are affected by WhatsApp's migration to newer generation technology.