WhatsApp has become a fundamental piece for communicating, both in personal and professional circles. However, app compatibility It's not eternal on all devices, and from time to time there's a cleanup that leaves out some older models. Therefore, it's important to stay on top of the new features that affect the technical requirements platform.
If your phone is already a few years old or has not received major updates for a while, it's important to know if you'll be able to continue using WhatsApp normally in the coming months. The company's decisions to update the requirements often catch people by surprise who don't know how to check if their phone meets the requirements.
Why is WhatsApp no longer compatible with some phones?
The main reason why WhatsApp stops working on older phones is directly related to the advances in the operating system and the implementation of new security measures. When a terminal gets stuck on outdated versions of Android o iOS, cannot keep up with WhatsApp updates, causing performance issues or lack of protection against potential threats.
The company, owned by Meta, regularly reviews its list of supported devices to focus on providing the best possible experience to users. This includes the latest features, patches to prevent the risk of to maximise security and your enjoyment. and app optimizations only reach mobile phones that meet a minimum base of updated software. Check if your phone is on the incompatible list.
Models that will lose access to WhatsApp
Starting in August, the app It will only work on devices with Android 5.0 or higher and on iPhones with iOS 12 or later.. This means that mobile phones that do not meet these minimum requirements will no longer be able to access the service, send messages, or receive security and feature updates..
Affected models include:
- Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy G4, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy J1
- Huawei: Honor 2, Ascend G615, P1 LTE
- Lenovo: A660, Golden Warrior Note 8
- Alcatel: One Touch Pop 2
- Sony: Xperia E4g
- Zopo: ZP720 Focus
- Motorola: Moto G 2014
- Apple: All iPhones that do not have iOS 12
In some cases, these phones have been in circulation for several years and have stopped receiving official support from their manufacturers. If you own one of these devices, you'll likely encounter notifications in the app itself informing you of the imminent end of support.
How to check if your phone is compatible with WhatsApp
The easiest way to know if your phone will continue to run WhatsApp is check the operating system version that you have installed. The process is very easy on both Android and iPhone:
- En Android: go into Settings > About phone > Android versionIf you see a number equal to or greater than 5.0, you can rest easy.
- En iPhone: and a Settings > General > Information > Version. You need to have iOS 12 or higher.
It is usual that WhatsApp sends notifications before removing support, but it never hurts to do this check manually to avoid surprises.
If your phone allows you to update to a newer version, update as soon as possible from the system updates section. If not, it may be time to consider upgrading your device.
What to do if your phone is no longer compatible?
If your device is on the unsupported list and an operating system update isn't possible, you should look for alternatives. Here are some helpful recommendations:
- Make a backup of your chats. Go into WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > BackupThis way, you can maintain your conversations if you switch from mobile.
- Consider changing terminalsCurrently, there are affordable models with years of guaranteed support and modern versions of Android or iOS.
- If you can't change your mobile phone at the moment, other apps like Telegram or Discord They continue to work on many older devices even though WhatsApp stops doing so.
Remember that leaving your phone without support means greater exposure to problems to maximise security and your enjoyment. and less compatibility with other applications.
Keeping the WhatsApp application operational increasingly depends on having a updated deviceTo avoid being unexpectedly disconnected, regularly check your phone's operating system version and stay tuned for app notifications. Planning ahead will help you continue using WhatsApp without interruptions and migrate all your important information seamlessly.
