WhatsApp, a Meta-owned messaging platform will be discontinued in select devices starting Saturday, Dec. 31.
This means that the app support will no longer work for outdated smartphones including the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c. To view the full list of the affected models, here's what you need to know.
WhatsApp to Ditch Support on iPhone 5 Lineup
According to 9to5Mac's report on Wednesday, Dec. 28, Meta is scheduled to drop support for WhatsApp in 49 devices including Apple's iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c.
This weekend, the changes will take effect and users should take note that once it happens, their outdated devices can no longer download the chatting app.
Back in October, we could remember that WhatsApp announced that it would soon cut support for iOS 10 and iOS 11 devices. If you're a current owner of either iPhone 5 or 5c model, you can no longer access the app in the next few days before the New Year.
In the meantime, those owners with a newer iPhone model shouldn't worry about the update. If you're using iPhone 6 at the moment, you don't have to fret over the discontinued WhatsApp support.
Related Article: WhatsApp to Release an Auto-Mute Feature for Groups With Over 256 Members, Along With Other Updates
Full List of Unsupported Smartphones
Aside from the abovementioned iPhone models, some Android units are also affected by the changes. Some of the models that can no longer receive WhatsApp support include Samsung Galaxy S3 and Lenovo A820.
According to Meta, WhatsApp is expected to drop more improvements next year that's why it's ditching support for outdated devices.
"To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp," WhatsApp wrote on the support page.
To check whether your device will be affected or not by the recent update from WhatsApp, here's a complete list from Gizchina to help you out.
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Grand S Flex ZTE
- Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
- HTC Desire 500
- Huawei Ascend D
- Huawei Ascend D1
- Huawei Ascend D2
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend P1
- Quad XL
- Lenovo A820
- LG Enact
- LG Lucid 2
- LG Optimus 4X HD
- LG Optimus F3
- LG Optimus F3Q
- LG Optimus F5
- LG Optimus F6
- LG Optimus F7
- LG Optimus L2 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual
- LG Optimus L4 II
- LG Optimus L4 II Dual
- LG Optimus L5
- LG Optimus L5 Dual
- LG Optimus L5 II
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L7 II Dual
- LG Optimus Nitro HD
- Memo ZTE V956
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Core
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 mini
- Samsung Galaxy Trend II
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
- Sony Xperia Arc S
- Sony Xperia miro
- Sony Xperia Neo L
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight ZT
If you see your device on the list, this is a sign that you need a newer smartphone that can run WhatsApp.
