WhatsApp Will Not Work on These Smartphones from 1 January 2021: What do You Do?
While many across the globe will be glad to see the back of what has been described as a terrible 2020, a new WhatsApp update will prevent the popular messaging app from working on millions of phones from 1 January 2021.
Older Android and iPhone smartphones will no longer support the latest version of the Facebook owned app, forcing users to either update their mobile operating system or buy a new smartphone.
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 WhatsApp.
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.
Similarly, if someone is using a Samsung Galaxy S2, will not be able to use WhatsApp.
Phones that will lose WhatsApp support from 1 January 2021 include:
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Apple iPhone 1-4
- HTC Desire
- LG Optimus Black
- Motorola Droid Razr
- Android devices released before 2010
Devices that will need to update to iOS 9 or higher or Android OS 4.0.3 include:
- 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
To find out what software you are using and whether you need to update before the new year:
Apple iOS: To check your devices software:
Go to: “General” and “About”.
To update to the latest Apple iOS software:
Go to: Settings > General > Software update
Android: To check your devices software:
Go to: Settings > About phone
To update to the latest Android software:
Go to: Settings > Software update
Smartphone users are also urged to back up their chats before 1 January if they want to retain them by going to:
WhatsApp >Settings > About phone
Chats > ‘Chat backup’.
WhatsApp has more than two billion users across the globe.
