Meta has decided to end support for WhatsApp on old Android phones, specifically, Mobile devices that are still running on Android KitKat.
This implies, devices that are 10 years old or older, still running on that version of the OS will no longer have access to WhatsApp starting January 1, 2025.
The discontinued support for the older OS version is because of WhatsApp’s evolving features and functionalities.
Meta is looking to implement more demanding features, AI functionalities, etc., that will require more modern hardware.
Here are most of the versions of Android devices that are going off WhatsApp:
Samsung:
- Galaxy S3,
- Galaxy Note 2,
- Galaxy Ace 3,
- Galaxy S4 Mini
Motorola:
- Moto G (1st Gen),
- Razr HD,
- Moto E 2014
HTC:
- One X,
- One X+,
- Desire 500,
- Desire 601
LG:
- Optimus G,
- Nexus 4,
- G2 Mini, L90
Sony:
- Xperia Z,
- Xperia SP,
- Xperia T,
- Xperia V
These devices can continue to function as burner phones.
However, users that have any of these mobile phones as a daily driver are advised to create a backup of all their WhatsApp data on a newer device or save the WhatsApp media files on a storage device.
This is to avoid a permanent loss of all media files and chat history from WhatsApp as they will all be gone after January 1, 2025.
Meta announced something similar for iPhones a few months ago also.
The infotech giant is ending support for iPhones running on iOS older than version 15.1.
These older iPhones however, can hang on until May 2025 before they are no longer Meta supported.