WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. However, recently there has been some confusion over whether WhatsApp will stop working on certain older devices and operating systems.
In this article, we’ll break down what you need to know about WhatsApp compatibility, including:
What devices and operating systems will WhatsApp stop supporting?
WhatsApp has announced that starting in 2023, it will no longer be supported on certain older devices and operating systems. Here are the devices and operating systems that will be affected:
- Android phones running OS 4.0.4 or earlier
- iPhones running iOS 10 or earlier
- Nokia S40 phones
- All Windows Phone operating systems
So if you have an older Android phone that’s not been updated past Android OS 4.0.4, an iPhone with an operating system below iOS 10, a Nokia S40, or any Windows phone, WhatsApp will stop working on your device in 2023.
Why is WhatsApp ending support for these devices?
There are a couple of reasons why WhatsApp is ending support for older devices and operating systems:
- To ensure the security of its users – Older operating systems are often more vulnerable to security risks, so stopping support helps protect users.
- To maintain the quality of the app – Dropping older OS allows WhatsApp to focus resources on improving features and performance for the bulk of its user base with newer devices.
By phasing out backwards compatibility with extremely old systems, WhatsApp likely hopes to provide a faster, more secure, and all-around better experience for most of its 2 billion plus users worldwide.
Does this mean the app will completely stop working on these devices?
The app will not automatically delete or completely stop functioning once support ends in 2023. However, any users still on these older unsupported devices will no longer get access to new updates or features. And there is a higher potential for issues or bugs in the app since updates will no longer be released for that device’s operating system.
There are some other key impacts of losing support to be aware of if you plan to keep using WhatsApp on an unsupported device:
- You may lose certain features – New capabilities or improvements could be unavailable.
- Performance issues – The app could become slower or more prone to crashes/bugs.
- Security risks – Without updates, your device will be more vulnerable to new security threats.
- Eventually the app could stop working – If there are significant OS updates or changes to infrastructure like servers, the unsupported app version could cease functioning.
Will I lose my chat history if I switch devices?
The good news is that your chat history and messages will not be lost if you switch from an unsupported device to a new supported phone. This is because WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption and backs up chats to your iCloud or Google Drive account.
So when you download WhatsApp on your new device and restore chats from your backup, your full message history should reappear. Just be sure to fully back up your WhatsApp chats and data before making the switch.
How do I tell if my device will be compatible?
To check if your Android or iPhone will still be supported, follow these simple steps:
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update to see your current iOS version.
- On an Android phone, go to Settings > About Phone to find your Android OS version.
- Compare your version number to the minimum requirements listed earlier in this article.
As long as your device is running iOS 10 or later, or Android OS 4.1 or later, WhatsApp should continue functioning normally at least through 2023.
How can I update an incompatible device?
If you find your phone or operating system will no longer be supported, you have a few options to maintain WhatsApp:
- Update your operating system – If your device allows for it, download the latest OS update to meet the minimum requirements.
- Get a new phone – Consider upgrading to a newer used or budget smartphone model if yours is too outdated to update.
- Use WhatsApp Web – Access WhatsApp through the web browser version on an incompatible device.
Updating your operating system is the best option to continue using the full-featured app. But if your phone is simply too old to support any later OS versions, purchasing a newer replacement smartphone would be the most seamless transition.
What are some alternative messaging apps?
If you choose not to upgrade your device before WhatsApp support ends, there are plenty of other secure messaging apps to consider as alternatives, including:
| App | Platforms | End-to-end encryption? |
|---|---|---|
| Signal | Android, iOS | Yes |
| Telegram | Android, iOS, PC | Optional (not enabled by default) |
| Facebook Messenger | Android, iOS, PC | Yes (only in Secret Conversations) |
| Viber | Android, iOS, PC | Yes |
Signal and Telegram are two of the most full-featured and secure alternatives. Facebook Messenger also offers encrypted Secret Conversations, but this is not enabled by default like Signal. Viber provides end-to-end encryption as well.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points to summarize WhatsApp’s compatibility changes:
- WhatsApp will stop supporting Android phones on OS 4.0.4 or lower, iPhones with iOS 10 or lower, Windows phones, and Nokia S40 devices starting in 2023.
- This is being done to improve security, quality, and performance for the majority of WhatsApp users.
- Users on unsupported devices can still use the app but may experience issues and vulnerabilities without updates.
- Chat histories will still be restored when upgrading to a supported device.
- Check your phone’s OS version to see if it will be compatible beyond 2023.
- Updating your operating system is the best way to keep using WhatsApp, otherwise switch to a newer phone or alternative messaging app.
The Bottom Line
While dropping support for extremely old operating systems may be inconvenient for a small subset of users, WhatsApp is likely making this move with the benefits of its over 2 billion other monthly users in mind. By phasing out backwards compatibility with outdated platforms, the company can focus on improving performance, adding new features, and enhancing security for the vast majority of people who rely on WhatsApp.
Users with incompatible devices still have options like updating software, switching to a newer phone, or using alternative messaging apps. But most people on modern devices running iOS 10 or Android 4.1+ should not have to make any changes to continue using WhatsApp normally for the foreseeable future.