WhatsApp Shocking Update: To Stop Running On Millions Of Smartphones By The End Of 2016

By Mar V - 03 Dec '16 10:10AM

The team of "WhatsApp" has bad news for its users who are not using an updated smartphone these days since they will be deleting the app already before the year ends. As to why they decided to do that, read further for more details.

WhatsApp To Be Deleting Their Apps In Un-Updated Devices By The End Of 2016

It has recently been confirmed and announced that WhatsApp will be deleting their apps in older models of phones by the end of 2016. It has been considered as the world's most popular messaging app, having billions of users worldwide. If the app is shut down from the phones, it will definitely affect a great number of people and its daily means of communication. There are some countries that have more expensive cost for texting and calling, thus prefer the use of WhatsApp, especially that it is encrypted. However, their spokesperson has clarified that they also needed to catch up with today's technology, thus having the need to delete their apps from smartphones that are not updated.

What Devices For iPhone and iOS Devices Users Are Applicable And Are Not For The Deletion?

For iPhone users, WhatsApp will no longer function for iPhone 3GS and any devices with an iOS update below iOS 6: practically any iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, or iPhone 5 that was not updated to its latest software, iOS 10. For those users who are not familiar of the concept of software update, it can be checked in Settings-General-Software Update. The avid WhatsApp users need to check their devices to ensure that they will not be affected with the deletion of apps before the end of the year.

What Devices Android Devices Users Are Applicable And Are Not For The Deletion?

For Android users, any smartphones or tablets that are currently running with the Android 2.1 or Android 2.2 software will no longer be supported by WhatsApp by the start of 2017. The latest software update of Android is 7.0, otherwise known as Nougat. It is not available for all Android devices yet but it will be very soon, thus advising all Android users to update their software, or their devices.

Different And Special Case For Blackberry And Nokia Users; Extended Until June 2017

For Blackberry and Nokia users, WhatsApp is already planning to drop its support from all Blackberry devices, even the new ones. However, they have extended their time until June 2017 for Blackberry users only, due to constant customer demand. It can't be denied that their products are not highly as purchased compared to Android or iOS devices, thus needing more time to adjust to the technology change. The same concept goes for Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60.