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Update your old Android, iPhone system before February or lose WhatsApp

Jessica Yun
Updated
London, UK - July 31, 2018: The buttons of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other apps on the screen of an iPhone.
London, UK - July 31, 2018: The buttons of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other apps on the screen of an iPhone.

Many mobile phone users around the world will be waking up in the beginning of February to find that the popular messaging app WhatsApp no longer works on their device.

iPhone devices with operating systems of iOS 8 or below, and Android devices on versions 2.3.7 or older, will stop supporting WhatsApp from 1 February 2020.

Here’s what it means for your phone.

If you’re an iPhone user...

You’ll need to get iOS 9 or later to continue using WhatsApp past February.

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“On iOS 8, you can no longer create new accounts or reverify existing accounts. If WhatsApp is currently active on your iOS 8 device, you'll be able to use it until February 1, 2020,” the messaging platform stated on their FAQ page.

Although this is just a simple system update for some, for older iPhone device users, it’ll mean not being able to use WhatsApp at all.

The latest iOS operating system is only available from iPhone 6S and above – meaning users of older models just won’t be able to use WhatsApp.

WhatsApp recommends updating to the latest version of iOS available for your phone.

If you’re an Android user...

You’ll have to get Android 2.3.3 or later for your phone to run.

Also, your Android device will also have to be able to receive SMS texts or calls for the verification process.

“For Android versions 2.3.7 and older, you can no longer create new accounts, nor reverify existing accounts,” WhatsApp said.

“However, you'll be able to continue using WhatsApp until February 1, 2020.”

Apps often release new updates in order to patch up security flaws that are discovered in older versions.

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