Available on all Androids starting October 24th
American instant messaging service WhatsApp (owned by the Meta organization (recognized as extremist and banned in Russia)) will start supporting only Android-based devices with operating system (OS) 5.0 (released in 2014) and above from October 24, warned in the press service of the service.
On Android-based devices with an outdated operating system, the messenger will stop working. The company noted that users will be warned about the end of support for the old OS version and the need to install an update by sending a message to the messenger itself. Additionally, the warning will be sent several times if necessary. Users whose gadgets do not meet the requirements must either update the operating system on their smartphone or purchase a new gadget.
Additionally, as the company states, in order for the messenger to work on the phone, it must receive an SMS message or call while confirming the number. “We do not support the creation of new accounts on devices that only use Wi-Fi connection,” the service’s press service said.
Keep up with the times
Access to the application will be disabled for several generations of Android, including versions 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4. The number of users with these operating system versions exceeds 1 million. The working conditions of the messenger for iPhone owners will also change; such devices need to be updated to at least iOS 12.
Sourced from 91mobiles.com listed Smartphones where WhatsApp will stop working: Samsung Galaxy Note2, Samsung Galaxy S2,
amsung Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, HTC One, HTC Desire HD, HTC Sensation, LG Optimus 2X, Nexus 7, LG Optimus G Pro, HTC One,
Sony Xperia Z, Sony Xperia S2, Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc3, Motorola Xoom, Motorola Droid Razr.
Such innovations are not the first. Every year, Messenger management determines “which devices and software with the fewest users can be considered obsolete.” The service explains this by the need to maintain security and the desire to “keep up with the times.”
Among other innovations, WhatsApp developers on Tuesday presented a new beta version of the messaging application for Android, in which some interface elements have changed. The new beta version is currently only available for download from Google Play to a limited number of users.
As the WBI portal writes, in the updated version 2.23.20.10 new shades of green appeared, which will be the dominant colors. New icons added. For example, the design of the new chat start button has been redesigned. The new design of Messenger will be available to all users with the release of one of the upcoming WhatsApp updates.
Alternative methods
Information security expert Alexey Kurochkin he told RT, how to use WhatsApp on old smartphones? According to him, alternative WhatsApp clients from third-party developers will allow smartphone users with older Android versions to access the messaging app.
“I’m telling you that there is a 99% chance that there are alternative ways to use WhatsApp in older versions. There are third-party applications that you can use with your WhatsApp account,” says Kurochkin.
He explained WhatsApp’s refusal to support older versions of Android by the difficulty of maintaining the same functionality in applications for different OS generations. “You can’t support something old forever,” the expert concluded.
Source: Gazeta
Jackson Ruhl is a tech and sci-fi expert, who writes for “Social Bites”. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of technology and science fiction.