NEW DELHI :Just a few weeks are left before WhatsApp will stop working on a number of smartphones. As updated on the FAQ section of the instant messaging platform, there are several Android and iOS phones that may not be able to run the app as the company will withdraw support for some older mobile platforms from 1 February, 2020.
According to the information on WhatsApp FAQ section, Android phones running on Android 2.3.7 operating system and iPhones running on iOS 8 will not support WhatsApp from next year.
Moreover, the FAQ also emphasised that these older version of Android and iOS operating systems "can no longer create new accounts, nor re-verify existing accounts after February 1, 2020."
In addition to this, WhatsApp is withdrawing support for all Windows phones from December 31, 2019 — the same month that Microsoft ends support of its Windows 10 Mobile OS. The company also added that the app "might not be available in the Microsoft Store after July 1, 2019."
But, if you have a Windows smartphone, and don’t want to lose all your chats and information on 31 December, 2019 there is an option to save your chats.
Open the chat you wish to export, and tap on Group Info.
Tap ‘Export Chat’. You’ll then be given the option to download the chat with or without media. Choose your option and export all your chats.
Furthermore, the Facebook-owned instant messaging platform will keep the app running for select phones with KaiOS 2.5.1+ OS, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2.
WhatsApp also highlighted that the decision to end WhatsApp support for these Android phones and iPhones will not affect a lot of users.
To recall, the following operating systems will not support WhatsApp from next year:
-Android versions 2.3.7 and older
-iOS 8 and older
-All Windows OS phones from 31 December, 2019
WhatsApp also listed the operating systems that the app supports and recommends users to use the following updated devices:
-Android running OS 4.0.3+
-iPhone running iOS 9+
-Select phones running KaiOS 2.5.1+, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2
In other news, the Facebook-owned company constantly keeps updating its software to include new features in order to provide smooth messaging and call experience to its users. The instant messaging app is currently working on rolling out the much-awaited 'Dark Mode' feature soon.
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