WhatsApp to stop working on millions of phones from 1 January

WHATSAPP will soon stop working on millions of phones from Friday January 1, 2021... Which means lots of people will be entering 2021 without access to the popular app.

People with older smartphones should be warned that the app could stop working for them next year if they don't update their software. 

That means they've only got two days left unless they want to start using the chatting platform on a compatible device.

According to News.18.com, certain older smartphone won't be able to use WhatsApp in 2021.

It said WhatsApp will stop working for people who are using an iPhone that hasn't been updated to iOS 9 software or higher.

Android users who don't have 4.0.3 operating systems or newer will also reportedly be affected.

If you have an iPhone 4 or older you won't be able to update to newer software.

Some Android devices like the Motorola Droid Razr and the Samsung Galaxy S2 also still run on outdated software.

If you have an old phone you may want to try upgrading to the newest software possible so you don't get caught out next year.

Apple users need to go to Settings and then "General" and "About" to see what software version they're using.

On Android you need to go to Settings and then "About Phone".

Alternatively, you may need to upgrade to a slightly newer handset.

Part of the WhatsApp website reveals what operating systems it is compatible with.

Users who need to upgrade will be warned in the app itself.

WhatsApp – a quick history
 
WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum - former employees of Yahoo:::

It's one of the most popular messaging services in the world
Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like "what's up"...

After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users...

It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users...

Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers...

As of 2020, WhatsApp has over 2billion users globally.