WhatsApp will stop working on thousands of smartphones this month - these are the devices affected

By Claire Schofield
Published 10th Dec 2019, 11:51 BST
Updated 10th Dec 2019, 11:52 BST
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Thousands of WhatsApp users could lose access to the popular messaging service this month, with the app set to stop working on a number of devices.

WhatsApp is withdrawing its support on Windows Phone operating systems as of 31 December.

No longer in use

The messaging app is currently available on select versions of Windows smartphones, but it will cease to work on handsets that are powered by Microsoft’s software at the end of this month.

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Will your device be affected?Will your device be affected?
Will your device be affected?

The Windows Phone operating system was launched in October 2010, but Microsoft announced in January this year that it would no longer support the software from December 2019, advising shoppers to buy iOS or Android devices instead.

The Windows Phone never achieved the success of its rivals and didn’t encourage the same excitement from app developers.

In a statement, WhatsApp said: “You’ll no longer be able to use all Windows Phone operating systems after December 31, 2019, and WhatsApp might not be available in the Microsoft Store after July 1, 2019.”

Who else will be affected?

WhatsApp is withdrawing its support on Windows Phone operating systems from 31 December 2019WhatsApp is withdrawing its support on Windows Phone operating systems from 31 December 2019
WhatsApp is withdrawing its support on Windows Phone operating systems from 31 December 2019

Windows Phone owners won’t be the only ones that will soon see WhatsApp stop functioning, with several Android smartphones and iPhones also in line to be affected next year.

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As of 1 February 2020, those who have Android versions 2.3.7 or older will not be able to create new WhatsApp accounts or re-verify existing ones.

The same will also apply to users of iPhones running on iOS 8 or older.

WhatsApp has already withdrawn support for Nokia Symbian S60, Nokia Series 40 operating system, BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10, Android 2.1 and 2.2, Windows Phone 7, and iPhone 3GS and iOS 6.

In a blog post earlier this year, WhatsApp wrote: “This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp.

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“Because we will no longer actively develop for these platforms, some features may stop functioning at any time.”

The devices affected

These are all the devices users will soon no longer be able to use WhatsApp on:

All Windows Phone operating systems – after 31 December 2019 Android versions 2.3.7 and older – after 1 February 2020 iPhone iOS 7 and older – after 1 February 2020

Related topics:Microsoft