WhatsApp has blocked millions of phones from accessing its messaging service with its latest update, in an effort to protect the security and privacy of its users. The app is no longer compatible with phones still running outdated operating systems. Here’s what you need to know.
Why is WhatsApp not working On My iPhone Or Android phone?
WhatsApp announced it would drop support for phones on older operating systems in an update to their website, with changes going into effect on February 1. This means that you won’t be able to run WhatsApp on devices running Android 2.3.7 and iOS 7 or older.
Why has WhatsApp dropped support for my iPhone or Android phone?
The change isn’t new for WhatsApp. It’s been cutting off older devices for years as the technology ages and security requirements become stricter. Older software is more difficult to secure, and would leave users vulnerable to bugs, hacks and other breaches.
In 2016, WhatsApp posted the following reason for this planned obsolescence on their website: “While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don’t offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app’s features in the future.” In the website post, WhatsApp emphasised a continued focus on security for its customers, but noted that because devices running these operating systems would no longer be supported in future updates, features “may stop functioning at any time.”
This means that if you’re holding onto an older iPhone, such as an iPhone 4 running iOS 7, you will no longer be able to access WhatsApp on your phone. If you’re currently using an iPhone 4s or above, a quick update to iOS 9 will give you some more time with the app before the inevitable wave of obsolescence crashes down again in future.
How do I check if WhatsApp still supports my phone?
If you’re having trouble with WhatsApp, you should check which version of Android or iOS your phone is currently running.
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