WhatsApp has been through quite a few updates recently, adding exciting new features that have improved the app for its billions of users.
You can now edit your messages for the first time – provided you do it within a 15-minute timeframe – while you can now keep your conversations even more secure via the Chat Lock feature, save disappearing messages and even use your WhatsApp on more than one device.
However, the latest incoming update may spell bad use for users of some phones – specifically certain Galaxy Android handsets.
That’s because the app is about to be blocked on those devices – but which ones are affected and can you stop it from happening?
Here’s what you need to know…
Why is WhatsApp being blocked on some phones?
WhatsApp will be blocked on certain phones after the chat app confirmed they will stop supporting devices running operating systems older than Android 5.0.
In other words, if you have an older phone with an older OS, you won’t be able to use WhatsApp any more, or access your private or group chats.
And the change is happening really soon.
‘Starting October 24, 2023, only Android OS version 5.0 and newer will be supported,’ the company said on its support pages.
‘To keep up with the latest advances in technology, we routinely stop supporting older operating systems to point our resources to supporting the latest ones.’
‘If we stop supporting your operating system, you’ll be notified and reminded a few times to upgrade your device to continue using WhatsApp.’
Which phones are affected by the change?
The following phones will be affected by the update:
Both of the above have not had OS updates since Android Lollipop 5.0 – never being upgraded to version 5.1.1 – which means they will be unable to support WhatsApp from this point on.
Other devices such as the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 will not be affected, as they have received the official Android 6 Marshmallow update.
How to make sure your Android phone is up to date
If you want to make sure you have the most up-to-date operating system on your Android device here’s what you do:
- Open up ‘Go settings’
- From there click on ‘About Phone’
- Then click on ‘Check for system updates.
If nothing shows under this option then your system is up to date.
MORE : WhatsApp voice messages could be getting a new feature
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