It’s time to say goodbye
On October 24, 2023, Meta Corporation (recognized as extremist and banned in Russia) will stop supporting older versions of Android for the popular WhatsApp messenger. Android versions such as 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 have been officially declared obsolete. Google itself stopped Android 4.4, which supports versions 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 in 2021, was announced as “obsolete” announced In July 2023, ten years after its launch.
Google explained its decision to stop supporting all versions of fourth-generation Android by saying that they are relevant only to a small group of people, less than 1% of the entire Android audience. Similar claim in his statement brought and Meta.
Analytical services confirm that fourth-generation Android accounts for a small share of users. Yes, according to data Android 4.4 of the AppBrain platform accounts for a top 0.4% of the entire Google OS audience.
Although this number seems small, it actually covers a large number of devices.
So, according to official figures, if we take into account Android gadgets, there are approximately 12 million users. dataIt is used by more than 3 billion people on the planet.
To the list of devices on which WhatsApp will stop working: including Smartphones and tablets from Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, Sony and other brands released between 2011 and 2013.
You can check which Android version is installed on your smartphone or tablet by opening the settings and going to the “About device” section. In the new menu, you need to select “Software Information” and then “Android Version”.
There is an exit
One of the features of Android is that you can install applications on this operating system not from the official Google Play store, but from a third-party source. For this, you need to download the installation file with .apk extension to your smartphone’s memory and activate it on the mobile device. Enthusiasts have long been using this opportunity to create alternative clients for popular services, which often differ from original applications in a modified interface and expanded functionality.
WhatsApp is no exception in this regard. There are dozens of alternative clients for Messenger. Here are the names of just a few of them: GBWhatsApp, YOWhatsApp, FMWhatsApp, WhatsApp Aero, Soula WhatsApp, MBWhatsApp, WhatsApp+.
As mentioned above, alternative clients have advanced functionality. For example, in GBWhatsApp, long before this function appeared in the official version of WhatsApp, it was possible to log in from two accounts at the same time, WhatsApp Aero will allow you to use animated backgrounds in chats, and in YOWhatsApp you can hide your online accounts. situation.
In the context of Android obsolescence, alternative WhatsApp clients are also good because they are almost not controlled by Meta. This allows aspiring developers to continue supporting older versions of the operating system. Some have already started releasing versions of Android 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 applications on forums for gadget fans (like 4PDA or XDA).
Advanced level
The situation is similar with Android itself. Some smartphone manufacturers allow you to download alternative versions of the operating system, called firmware, to your devices.
The latter are often created by enthusiasts. Like apps, alternative firmwares feature expanded functionality and a redesigned interface over the original operating system.
However, the main advantage of the firmware is that some of them are much newer versions of Android than those offered by the device manufacturer.
For example, there is no official version of Android newer than 4.4 for the Samsung Galaxy S2, so this smartphone is about to lose the ability to run WhatsApp. However, thanks to alternative software, this device can be updated to Android 9.0.
However, installing firmware on a smartphone is much more complicated than installing an alternative client. The procedure requires certain skills and knowledge from the user, and also carries the risk of complete failure of the gadget.
Possible does not mean necessary
The failure of the gadget is terrible, but it is not the only problem that threatens enthusiasts who want to continue using WhatsApp on an old smartphone. Information security experts, communicating with socialbites.ca, warned that using alternative messaging clients and downloading firmware are extremely dangerous procedures for users’ personal data.
“I strongly recommend that you do not use modified WhatsApp clients. Unofficial application sources do not bear any responsibility towards users regarding the codes of the distributed applications.
And from such a source there is a much higher probability of receiving, in addition to basic functions, a malicious payload embedded in a legitimate application. This applies to all purposes, including instant messengers,” said Pavel Kuznetsov, product manager of the Garda group of companies.
According to him, a similar statement is made by unofficial firmware developers. The expert does not rule out that in both cases, a malicious program could be accidentally downloaded to the smartphone and this program could steal payment information from a banking application.
“Of course, the best thing is to stop using an outdated smartphone altogether. However, if this is not possible, I can make two suggestions. The first is to use so-called overlay protection tools, such as mobile antiviruses. The second is to comply with digital hygiene rules. In the context of operating system aging, this recommendation applies primarily to the use of official applications. Be it WhatsApp or any other online service. Even if a person doesn’t have a new smartphone, they probably have a computer. “It can run a browser version of WhatsApp, which is probably more secure than a client from an unknown source,” he said.