Everyone’s favourite messaging app regularly decides to disappoint some users equipped with older smartphones. WhatsApp rolls out app updates every now and then, bringing with them increased functionality and useful bits and pieces like cross-platform transfers.
This means some smartphones might not be able to handle the latest version of the app — the same is true for around 43 smartphones come 1 November 2021.
Bad news for those still holding on to their iPhone 6S—WhatsApp will stop working starting November 1.
And it’s not just the 6S. It’s the 6, SE, and all earlier models that have no higher than Apple’s iOS 10, plus a whole host of Android and KaiOS phones.
Anything older than Android OS 4.1 and KaiOS 2.5.1 will no longer be compatible with WhatsApp, and will not receive support from Facebook/WhatsApp in the future.
The good news, however, is that WhatsApp will be getting a new feature—allowing users to migrate their chats when switching from iOS to Samsung Android.
“To start, this feature is available on any Samsung device running Android 10 or higher, and will be available on more Android devices soon,” says WhatsApp.
The catch is it will have to be done when you are first setting up your phone.
“Your new Android device must be factory new or reset to factory settings,” says WhatsApp, or will have to reset to factory settings.
“This is just a start. We look forward to making this option available for more people to switch between platforms of their choice and securely take their chats with them,” promised WhatsApp.
Here’s the full list of phones that will no longer be able to use WhatsApp, via The National:
Apple
The first gen iPhone SE, 6s and 6s Plus.
Samsung
The Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite, Galaxy Trend II, Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3 mini, Galaxy Xcover 2, Galaxy Core and Galaxy Ace 2.
LG
The 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
The ZTE Grand S Flex, ZTE V956, Grand X Quad V987 and Grand Memo.
Huawei
The Huawei Ascend G740, Ascend Mate, Ascend D Quad XL, Ascend D1 Quad XL, Ascend P1 S and Ascend D2.
Sony
The Sony Xperia Miro, Sony Xperia Neo L and Xperia Arc S.
Others
The Alcatel One Touch Evo 7, Archos 53 Platinum, HTC Desire 500, Caterpillar Cat B15, Wiko Cink Five, Wiko Darknight, Lenovo A820, UMi X2, Faea F1 and THL W8.
