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FULL LIST: WhatsApp Will Stop Working on These 52 Phones by November
Over 50 Phone models will lose WhatsApp support by November. Find out if your phone is among the affected devices and what you can do to keep using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp has disclosed that it would be removing support for over 50 phone models in the coming month of November.
This came prior to the seven-hour outage of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on Monday; one which prompted a rumour that Facebook would be shutting down for 7 days to get it fixed.
According to a report by TheSun, support for older models need to phase off in order for WhatsApp to be able to help keep the app secure and safe.
The truth, however, is that this change, coming into effect on November 1, 2021, will affect millions of Android and iPhone users globally.
Android Vs. iPhone
List of Phones Blocked by WhatsApp
- Alcatel
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Ascend D Quad XL
- Ascend D1 Quad XL
- Ascend D2
- Ascend G740
- Ascend Mate
- Ascend P1 S
- Best L2 II
- Best L3 II
- Best L4 II
- Best L5 II
- Best L7 II
- Caterpillar Cat B15
- Galaxy Ace 2
- Galaxy Core
- Galaxy S3 mini
- Galaxy SII
- Galaxy Trend II
- Galaxy Trend Lite
- Galaxy Xcover 2
- Grand Memo
- Grand X Quad V987
- HTC Desire 500
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE
- Lenovo A820
- Lucid 2
- Optimus 4X HD
- Optimus F3
- Optimus F3Q
- Optimus F5
- Optimus F5
- Optimus F6, Enact
- Optimus F7
- Optimus L3 II Dual
- Optimus L4 II Dual
- Optimus L5
- Optimus L5 Dual
- Optimus L7
- Optimus L7 II Dual
- Optimus Nitro HD
- Run F1
- THL W8
- UMi X2
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight
- Xperia Arc S
- Xperia Miro
- Xperia Neo L
- ZTE V956
Why Does WhatsApp Stop Support for Old Phones?
Just like every other Tech company, WhatsApp regularly stops supporting older devices because outdated software poses huge security risks. Hackers mostly attempt to detect a vulnerability and try to exploit it. This is why Tech companies/developers regularly release new updates as they notice the threats and fix them.
It will be recalled that RNN reported that Apple told iPhone users to update their IOS due to a vulnerability that was exploited by attackers. Using outdated software places you at a huge security risk.
Sometimes, it’s because it’s simply not cost-efficient to keep apps working on very old versions of iOS or Android.
So, whether or not your phone is on this list, it’s important you update your phone regularly, or upgrade if you can’t. It’s to keep you safe and secure.
How to Keep Using WhatsApp on Old Phones
If you are using any of these affected phones, and you intend to retain your access to WhatsApp; here is what you can do.
1. Update Your OS Version
Some phone models allow you to update your phone software to the latest version that supports WhatsApp. However, for Android 4.0/iPhone 4S and older versions, you’ll lose access as you can’t update your software to the latest version.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to find and update your iOS version.
On Android: Go to Settings > System > System Update to find and update your Android Version.
2. Upgrade Your Phone
If you simply can’t update your phone, you should consider saving up to buy a new phone.