The widely used messaging programme WhatsApp is on the verge of being inoperable on millions of different phones.After the 31st of December, users of earlier versions of the iPhone and Android will be unable to use the app without first upgrading their device.The iPhone 5 and 5c, along with a number of devices produced by Huawei, LG, and Samsung, are among the 49 brands of smartphone that will no longer support WhatsApp's functionality.However, WhatsApp will provide a notification to users of certain phones before it completely stops functioning on those phones.The functionality of WhatsApp for iPhones running iOS 11 and earlier software versions was discontinued in October.
The messaging service explained: "In order to remain current with the most recent developments in technology, we frequently discontinue supporting older operating systems so that we may direct our efforts into maintaining the most recent ones."It introduced a whole new application in November called "Message Yourself," which, as the name indicates, enables you to communicate with yourself in the form of notes, reminders, and updates.Within the WhatsApp app, you are now able to initiate a one-on-one conversation with yourself thanks to a new feature that is compatible with both Android and iPhone.Users are able to send themselves messages, reminders, or shopping lists; keep track of their to-do lists; and keep track of their to-do lists.
WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging applications, having more than two billion users in over 180 countries.
The list of phones to stop working after the 31st of December
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 II
LG Optimus L5 II Dual
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
The decision was explained in a statement released by WhatsApp.
'Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates,' 'These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.'
'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.'
To update your operating system on an iPhone go to the 'general' settings and select 'software update'.
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