London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

WhatsApp will stop working on thousands of phones next week

WhatsApp will stop working on thousands of phones next week

WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in the world, is about to stop working on thousands of phones.

The Facebook-owned app is set to stop support for older phones around the world on November 1, 2021.

It will cease to function on up to 43 different smartphone models as it shifts the requirements for the Android and iOS operating systems.

In the FAQ section on its website, WhatsApp says people should use phones running Android version OS 4.1 or iPhones running iOS 10 and newer.

If you haven’t updated your system software recently, then you may well escape having to upgrade. But a few select devices – of which there could be thousands still being used – will lose security and feature updates.

And, in the very unlikely case you’re running WhatsApp on a Linux-based phone, you’ll need to update to KaiOS 2.5.1.

Which phones will lose access to WhatsApp?
Many older phones can still be updated to newer versions of the operating system


Here’s a list of smartphone models that WhatsApp will stop supporting from next week.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the app will cease to function – but it does mean you’ll no longer be able to download patches and updates, which could leave it open to crashes or bugs or – in some cases – security exploits.

Apple


The iPhone SE (2016), 6S and 6S Plus. These models launched with iOS 9 but can be updated through to iOS 15 to continue to support WhatsApp.

Older iPhones that cannot be updated past iOS 10 will lose access. At present, that now includes the iPhone 4S from 2011.

Samsung


The Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite, Galaxy Trend II, Galaxy SII, Galaxy S3 mini, Galaxy Xcover 2, Galaxy Core and Galaxy Ace 2.

LG


The LG Lucid 2, Optimus F7, Optimus F5, Optimus L3 II Dual, Optimus F5, Optimus L5, Optimus L5 II, Optimus L5 Dual, Optimus L3 II, Optimus L7, Optimus L7 II Dual, Optimus L7 II, Optimus F6, Enact , Optimus L4 II Dual, Optimus F3, Optimus L4 II, Optimus L2 II, Optimus Nitro HD and 4X HD, and Optimus F3Q.

ZTE


The ZTE Grand S Flex, ZTE V956, Grand X Quad V987 and Grand Memo.

Huawei


The Huawei Ascend G740, Ascend Mate, Ascend D Quad XL, Ascend D1 Quad XL, Ascend P1 S, and Ascend D2.

Sony


The Sony Xperia Miro, Sony Xperia Neo L, Xperia Arc S.

Others


The Alcatel One Touch Evo 7, Archos 53 Platinum, HTC Desire 500, Caterpillar Cat B15, Wiko Cink Five, Wiko Darknight, Lenovo A820, UMi X2, Faea F1 and THL W8.

What to do if your phone is too old
It may be time for an upgrade


The most obvious answer is, unfortunately, you’ll need to think about paying to upgrade your phone.

However, there is a way you can save your chat history if you don’t want to see it gone when you move on to a different handset.

You can back up your message history to Google Drive or iCloud depending on which platform you use (iOS or Android). Alternatively, you can export your chat history as an email attachment.

WhatsApp regularly updates its list of supported handsets which get access to the app’s latest features – such as disappearing messages.

These were introduced in November and let you send vanishing messages in individual conversations and group chats. The most recent feature included the option to quickly join an ongoing group audio or video call.

Comments

Sid 4 year ago
Or you can just join Telegram or Signal like many others

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×