WhatsApp just dropped support for another round of older versions of iOS and Android. As described in WhatsApp’s recently updated system requirements, your device must run at least iOS 10 or Android 4.1 to access WhatsApp after Nov. 1, 2021.
It’s possible some users can upgrade their phone’s OS to regain access if you’ve been skipping out on system upgrades for a while, but some of the affected devices are around 6 to 10 years old and are no longer supported with OS updates themselves—so if you’re still clutching an ancient iPhone, this might be yet another sign that it’s time to upgrade.
Here’s the full list of phones losing WhatsApp support starting today:
Apple
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE (2016 edition)
Huawei
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Ascend D Quad XL
- Ascend D1 Quad XL
- Ascend D2
- Ascend G740
- Ascend Mate
- Ascend P1 S
LG
- Best L2 II
- Best L3 II
- Best L4 II
- Best L5 II
- Best L7 II
- Lucid 2
- Optimus F3
- Optimus F3Q
- Optimus F5
- Optimus F6, Enact
- Optimus F7
- Optimus L3 II Dual
- Optimus L4 II Dual
- Optimus L5
- Optimus L5 Dual
- Optimus L7
- Optimus L7 II Dual
- Optimus Nitro HD
- Optimus 4X HD
Samsung
- Galaxy Ace 2
- Galaxy Core
- Galaxy SII
- Galaxy S3 mini
- Galaxy Trend II
- Galaxy Xcover 2
Sony
- Xperia Arc S
- Xperia Miro
- Xperia Neo L
ZTE
- Grand Memo
- Grand X Quad V987
- ZTE V956
Others
- Alcatel
- Caterpillar Cat B15
- Lenovo A820
- HTC Desire 500
- Run F1
- THL W8
- UMi X2
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight
WhatsApp’s move is hardly surprising. All technology gets left behind at some point, and this now seems to be an annual tradition for WhatsApp. Last year, the company cut the iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S2, and the Droid Razr from its list of supported devices, and in 2019 even older Android devices and iPhones got the ax, as did all Windows phones.
We suspect there will be another round of cuts when WhatsApp inevitably updates its system requirements once again in 12 months. To keep yourself from losing access, make sure you download the latest system updates so your device meets the new WhatsApp requirements. You can check your Android version and if there are any updates available under Settings > About Phone. iPhone users can do the same in Settings > General > Software Update.
If your device’s operating system is too low and no update is available, it might also be worth looking into the best WhatsApp alternatives if you don’t feel like buying a new phone. We can’t guarantee that other chat apps will also support your super-old smartphone, but they’re worth exploring if WhatsApp cut you off today.
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This article was originally published in December 2019, and updated on December 30, 2020, and again on November 1, 2021 with new WhatsApp requirements.
[Chronicle Live]