The year 2020 is gradually coming to an end and WhatsApp announced an important update for all smartphone users. The Facebook-owned instant messaging app will be dropping support for some Android and iPhone devices that have not been updated to the most recent operating system.
The update allows WhatsApp to focus on newer OS versions on both platforms and tightens its security. This makes sense since we know that operating systems that are no longer updated are more vulnerable and WhatsApp cares more for its users. The announcement, however, will force some users to update to a more recent device to keep using the platform.
Apple has rolled out its latest iOS 14 to all new iPhones and older device down to the 2015 iPhone 6s. Android, on the other hand, fails at this. Android 11 is rolling out even though Android 10 is yet to reach many devices and many Android users are still stuck with Android 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 and even 4. But, it is still ok for Android users with the mentioned versions as any device running versions lower than that will need to upgrade to a device running a more recent version.
WhatsApp says any Android device not running at least Android 4.0.3 will no longer support WhatsApp. As for the iPhone users, the company says devices not running at least iOS 9 will not longer support the app. This means earlier iPhone models like the iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, 6 and 6s are required to update to a more recent iOS version to continue using WhatsApp on their devices.
WhatsApp Calls On Desktop
WhatsApp is also testing its calling feature on the desktop version to allow users to make calls — voice and video from their PC and Mac computers. The feature is currently in beta state and will roll out in coming weeks once complete.