Every year, older versions of Android and iOS lose support for some major apps. With new versions of the two mobile operating systems being rolled out every year, it is challenging for app developers to ensure uniform support for the older versions as well. Messaging apps like WhatsApp also need to stay on top of security at all times. Older operating systems are generally more vulnerable to malicious attacks, making it hard for developers to plug all the holes. As a result, WhatsApp pulls out support for some older Android and iOS versions entirely every year. This year, this action is being meted out to Android 4.0 and iOS 11 (and lower) on October 24.
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In This Article
Eligibility criteria for using WhatsApp on Android and iOS
To use WhatsApp on your smartphone, the device must meet the following criteria.
- Android smartphones must run Android 5.0 OS or higher.
- iPhones must run iOS 12 or higher.
- JioPhones must run KaiOS 2.5.0 or higher.
These phones will stop running WhatsApp from October 24
These are some of the popular Android phones that will not be able to run WhatsApp from October 24.
- Sony Xperia Z
- Sony Xperia S2
- LG Optimus G Pro
- LG Optimus 2X
- Samsung Galaxy S
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus
- HTC One
- HTC Desire HD
- HTC Sensation, and more.
To check the software version your smartphone is running, go to Settings>About device. Apart from the Android phones mentioned above, these iPhones will also lose support for WhatsApp.
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 5C
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4S
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Conclusion
As you can tell from the lists above, most of the phones losing support for WhatsApp are very rarely in use among the general audience. Apart from updating the app for these versions that are used by a handful of people, WhatsApp developers think it is more practical to pull support altogether.
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