WhatsApp has set a deadline to stop working on some mobile phones that use older versions of Android. iOS users, you’re safe (for now). Meta has confirmed that the app will no longer be available on devices running an operating system older than Android 5, and the goal is none other than to improve the app’s overall performance and to be able to add new functions, as well as improve and strengthen the app’s security.
This hasn’t been a desperate decision, but it will affect thousands of users who still use old phones, and those phones will lose access. Here’s everything that’s going to happen and what you need to do if you’re one of the affected users.
Why is WhatsApp stopping on some phones?
Like everything else, it evolves, and the main idea is to make sure the app continues progressing. WhatsApp’s current functions already require greater processing capacity and older phones can no longer deliver that performance, which makes the app work incorrectly. And if we’re aware that Meta keeps looking to the future, we have to understand they can’t keep supporting such old versions because the new versions will probably need a lot more processing power and much more in terms of security, which these phones can no longer provide either.
WhatsApp needs to evolve
New features on WhatsApp never stop appearing, and even though sometimes it seems like updates are handled by a cheating couple (view-once photos, view-once audios, hidden chats…), video calls are constantly being improved and now AI has also been added to the search box inside the app. And all these changes demand a system that can pull the weight, and phones that use Android 4.4 or lower can’t guarantee that.
Which phones will lose WhatsApp?
The affected models are no longer on the market, but some devices that are still in use are the following:
- Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy Note 2
- Motorola: Moto G (1st gen), Moto E 2014
- LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4, G2 Mini
These phones will no longer be able to install or update the app, and the app that is already installed won’t work either. WhatsApp will stop existing on these phones.
What happens if you don’t update your phone?
The main problem is that you’ll be left without WhatsApp, which can mean a big change in your personal and work life, but you could also lose all your chats, photos and documents if you haven’t backed up in time, because we all know that WhatsApp isn’t just for talking, it stores thousands of images and conversations that are irreplaceable in many cases. So, you’re still in time to save all that information by backing it up to Google Drive or your phone’s internal memory.
How do I know if my phone will be affected?
It’s really easy to check. You just need to go to settings, phone information, and check which version of Android you have installed. If it’s lower than 5.0, you’re at risk of losing WhatsApp starting this April.
What if my phone is on the list?
Many devices will be left out. The fastest option we recommend is buying a new phone, but we know not all households can afford to replace their phones. Still, it’s the only option if you want to keep using WhatsApp.
If you do get a new phone, remember to restore your backup so everything is just as you left it. That way, you can keep using WhatsApp and other apps as usual, you’ll just be using another phone, newer.
These kinds of updates aren’t rare, but maybe they do support a bit of ageism. We need to understand that technology evolves so quickly we barely notice, and that if apps evolve, devices need to evolve too. Don’t forget to back up your important files, audios, and memories before WhatsApp stops working.