Millions of WhatsApp users now have only a few weeks left of being able to use the app on their smartphone.
The popular messaging platforms will officially stop working on a range of older smartphone models running on Apple iOS or Android towards the end of this year.
From November 1, 2021 WhatsApp will remove support for a number of Samsung, LG, Huawei and Apple handsets which could potentially stop millions of users accessing messages, photos, and videos from friends, family and work colleagues.
Some 43 models - both Android and iOS - will be unable to use the encrypted messaging service from November 1.
Smartphone models with Android 4.0.4 or earlier installed will become incompatible with WhatsApp, as well as iPhones with iOS 9 or earlier installed, reports the Daily Star.
Mobile phone models affected
The following phone models will lose access to the app:
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite, Galaxy Trend II, Galaxy SII, Galaxy S3 mini, Galaxy Xcover 2, Galaxy Core and Galaxy Ace 2.
- LGLucid 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: Grand S Flex, ZTE V956, Grand X Quad V987 and Grand Memo.
- Sony Xperia Miro, Sony Xperia Neo L, Xperia Arc S
Archos 53 Platinum, HTC Desire 500, Caterpillar Cat B15, Wiko Cink Five, Wiko Darknight, Lenovo A820, UMi X2, Faea F1 and THL W8.
- Huawei Ascend Mate and Ascend D2Alcatel: One Touch Evo 7
- Apple iPhone SE, 6S, and 6S Plus
The messaging app has lost a lot of users over the last year due to ongoing privacy concerns around its new terms of service.
It claims it is phasing out support for these older phones to ensure the app still runs securely.
