Quick Answer
Unfortunately, you cannot use WhatsApp on most old Nokia phones. WhatsApp requires a smartphone with an operating system like Android, iOS, or Windows Phone. Old Nokia phones run on the Symbian operating system which is not supported by WhatsApp.
However, there are a few exceptions. Some of the newer Nokia phones with full QWERTY keyboards like the Nokia E72, Nokia E52, Nokia E5, and Nokia N97 can install WhatsApp with some tweaks. This is because these models meet the minimum requirements for WhatsApp which include a minimum of 128MB of RAM and a 600 MHz processor.
So in summary:
- Most old Nokia phones cannot support WhatsApp due to the symbian OS and low specs
- Some newer QWERTY Nokia models like E72, E52, E5, N97 can install WhatsApp with modifications
What are the requirements for WhatsApp?
Here are the minimum system requirements to use WhatsApp as per their website:
- An internet connection – 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi
- A smartphone with an operating system like Android, iOS, Windows Phone, or KaiOS
- RAM of at least 128MB
- ROM of at least 256MB
- A 600 MHz + processor
In addition, WhatsApp requires a phone number to sign up. So your phone needs to have calling and texting capabilities to activate WhatsApp.
Key Reasons Old Nokia Phones Don’t Support WhatsApp
Most old Nokia phones do not meet the minimum system requirements for installing WhatsApp, especially the processor speed and RAM requirements.
Here are some of the key reasons why old Nokia phones can’t run WhatsApp:
- They have an outdated operating system like Symbian S40 or S60 which WhatsApp doesn’t support anymore
- Their hardware specs like RAM, ROM and processor speed are too low
- Lack of a touchscreen on many older models
- No WiFi connectivity
For example, a popular model like the Nokia 1100 has a CPU speed of only 60 MHz, 8 MB RAM, and 4MB storage. This is way below WhatsApp’s minimum requirements. Most old Nokia basic phones and even older smartphone models like the Nokia N95 can’t meet the requirements due to similar constraints.
Can Any Old Nokia Phones Run WhatsApp?
As mentioned earlier, a handful of the newer Nokia smartphone models with full QWERTY keyboards can install WhatsApp. These include:
- Nokia E72
- Nokia E52
- Nokia E5
- Nokia N97
These models were some of the earliest Nokia smartphones running Symbian^1 OS. They have 600 MHz+ processors, 128MB RAM, QWERTY keyboards and met other minimum criteria to install WhatsApp.
However, WhatsApp is not directly available on their app store. You need to sideload WhatsApp and tweak some settings to get it working. The steps involve:
- Enabling WiFi on the phone
- Downloading WhatsApp APK file from a mirror site that supports old Nokia phones
- Transferring the APK file to your Nokia phone via Bluetooth or USB cable
- Installing a special Java app called ProtegeJad on the Nokia phone
- Using ProtegeJad to install the WhatsApp APK
This allows you to sign up for WhatsApp using your phone number and use it on those Nokia models. However, the experience may not be very smooth due to the dated specs on those phones. Video calling will not work properly.
Downsides of Using WhatsApp on Old Nokia Phones
While you can get WhatsApp working on select old Nokia models, there are some downsides to be aware of:
- Typing on the QWERTY keyboard can be cumbersome
- The small 2.4 – 3.5 inch screens make chatting uncomfortable
- Low resolution cameras produce poor quality images
- Slow internet speeds via 2G will cause lags
- No support for voice/video calls over WhatsApp
- Hard to type and view messages on non-QWERTY Nokia phones
- Difficult to install app updates or new versions
Due to these factors, the WhatsApp experience won’t be smooth. You are better off upgrading to a modern budget smartphone if you need WhatsApp on a daily driver phone.
Modern Alternatives to Old Nokia Phones
If you currently use an old Nokia phone but want access to apps like WhatsApp, it may be time to upgrade.
Here are some good modern alternatives with all the features and specs required to run WhatsApp smoothly:
| Phone | Operating System | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Nokia 1.3 | Android 10 Go edition | Dual SIM, 5.7″ Screen, 3000 mAh battery |
| Nokia 3.2 | Android 9 Pie | 6.26″ display, 13MP camera, 4000 mAh battery |
| Nokia 5.3 | Android 10 | 6.55” screen, Quad camera, 4000 mAh battery |
These Nokia smartphones run the latest Android OS versions out of the box and meet all of WhatsApp’s requirements. Other decent options are Samsung M series devices, Xiaomi Redmi phones, Motorola G series etc. Many of them cost between $100 to $200, offering good value for money as well.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, WhatsApp is not supported on most old Nokia phones due to their low specs and Symbian operating system. Only a few specific Nokia QWERTY keyboard models like the Nokia E72 can install WhatsApp with considerable tweaks required.
However, the WhatsApp experience on such old phones is subpar. You are better off upgrading to an inexpensive Android phone if you want to use apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube etc. There are many decent options from Nokia, Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands that offer modern features and specs at budget pricing.