WhatsApp Will Not Work On These iOS, Android, Windows Phone Devices From 2020

WhatsApp has been hitting the headlines quite often for the new features that it has been rolling out for users across platforms. Now, the instant messaging app has once again hit the headlines as it has updated its support page quietly.

The WABetaInfo Twitter handle has shared a screenshot of the updated and old support page and this hints that the instant messaging app will stop working on millions of devices in the coming weeks. The footnote mentions that the platform no longer actively develops new features and improvements for the outdated versions of the mentioned operating systems. And, some features might stop working at any time.

WhatsApp Will Stop Working On These Platforms

Going by the updated blog post, WhatsApp will stop working on devices running outdated operating systems such iOS 8 and older, and Windows Phone from February 1, 2020. Users of these devices who uninstall the app from their device will not be able to reinstall the same, notes the leak.

Well, this leak comes soon after WhatsApp discontinued support for devices running Android 2.3.7 and older after the same date as specified above. Generally, iOS gets timely updates and almost all the devices will be compatible with the latest iteration of the OS. However, the iOS was rolled out back in 2014 and is a dated platform with just a handful of features.

Talking about the Windows Phone devices, WhatsApp will end support to these devices on December 31, 2019. Notably, this is the same month when Microsoft will end support for the Windows 10 Mobile OS. Eventually, the app will not be able on the Microsoft Store post this date.

Those users who have any of the devices mentioned above and want to export their chats can do so by following the steps given here.

Why This Move?

As the latest iterations of Android and iOS have started making the way into the market, the percentage of users who use devices running these platforms is meager. Eventually, WhatsApp is discontinuing support to these devices and this move will not impact a lot of users too.

Notably, the Facebook-owned instant messaging platform still supports select devices running KaiOS 2.5.1 and above such as JioPhone and JioPhone 2.