A new WhatsApp update will prevent the popular messaging app from working on MILLIONS of users with older smartphones on New Year’s Day.
The Facebook-owned messaging platform is stopping support for iOS 9, the operating software released by Apple in 2015.
Non-Apple users with an older device will also be affected if their device still runs Android 4.0.3.
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 the Facebook-owned app.
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.
The iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S were all released before iOS 9, however owners can still update to the operating system if they are yet to do so.
Android phones that will lose WhatsApp support include the Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC Desire and LG Optimus Black.
Phone owners can see what software their device is using by checking the settings section. For iPhone users, this can be found under Settings > General > Software update.
Most of the 2 billion WhatsApp users around the world will not be hit by the change, though the small fraction that are will likely comprise several million people worldwide.
Phones set to lose WhatsApp support on 1 January 2021:
Apple iPhone 1-4
Samsung Galaxy S2
HTC Desire
LG Optimus Black
Motorola Droid Razr
Any Android released before 2010
Phones that will need to update to at least iOS 9 or Android OS 4.0.3:
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
The messaging giant will also be updating its Terms of Service next year, forcing users to agree to new privacy rules in order to keep using the app.
