Anyone who owns one of these smartphones will no longer be able to use WhatsApp from January 1, 2025.
Anyone who owns one of these phones will soon no longer be able to use WhatsApp. The app will end its support on New Year’s Eve, and will no longer work on January 1st.
These are smartphones with Android KitKat.
Using an old smartphone is not recommended, both because you risk having unprotected software and because over the years some apps stop being supported. This is exactly what is about to happen to WhatsApp. Phones with Android 4.4 (KitKat) or earlier will no longer be able to use the messaging app from January 1, 2025.
Rest assured, many of the smartphones that still run KitKat are more than 10 years old, such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 from 2012, the Motorola Moto G, and the Sony Xperia Z from 2013. Anyone who has purchased a new phone in recent years has nothing to fear and will be able to continue using WhatsApp without any worries.
The decision by Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, to discontinue support for this operating system is set to affect millions of people. It is one of the stages of the technological evolution path that is transforming even the simplest devices, pushing them towards advanced functions, better performance, and greater connectivity.
WhatsApp will no longer work on these phones starting January 1, 2025
Devices affected by the decision include models from popular brands such as Samsung, Apple, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC, and Nokia. Here is a list of some of the devices that will no longer be supported as of January 1, 2025:
- Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Ace 3, Galaxy S4 Mini
- iPhone: iPhone 5, iPhone 5c
- Huawei: Ascend P6, Ascend Y300
- HTC: Uno X, Uno X+, Desiderio 500, Desiderio 601
- LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4, G2 Mini, L90
- Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V
- Motorola: Moto G (1st generation), Droid Razr HD, Moto E (1st generation)
- Nokia: Lumia 920, Lumia 1020
- ZTE: ZMAX, Grande X
Some of these models, such as the famous Nokia 8110 4G nicknamed “Banana-Phone” for its curved design and iconic yellow color, are still used by many users for their simplicity and functionality. However, without WhatsApp, these phones would still lose one of the most popular communication apps, making their daily use less convenient.
WhatsApp is a fundamental resource for millions of users, especially in emerging markets or in contexts where advanced smartphones are less accessible. Meta explained that the lack of support is due to the inability of these devices to accommodate new updates and benefit from the latest features, due to obsolete hardware and operating systems.
What will happen in 2025 on WhatsApp
The change is happening in two main phases. Starting on June 2024, users of affected phones have been unable to create new WhatsApp accounts, limiting their options for use. The crucial date, however, will be the first day of January 2025, when support will be permanently discontinued, making WhatsApp unusable on these devices.
The WhatsApp Help Center has spoken out on the matter. In fact, it has already provided some guidelines for those who want to avoid service interruptions: devices must support at least Android OS 5.0 or later and iOS 12 or later. This leaves users with a wide range of options to update their phones and avoid being locked out of the platform.
This is yet another sign that times are changing for the world of mobile technology. Progress, pushing towards ever more advanced devices, is gradually leaving behind the simpler (but, for some, also more accessible) options. With millions of users involved, perhaps among emerging market populations or people less inclined to use smartphones, the loss of WhatsApp will likely be a significant obstacle.
Could it be a stimulus to evolution and the discovery of new alternatives? It will depend on the ability of the industry to respond with solutions that balance modernity and accessibility, but one thing is certain: we are facing a major turning point in the progress of telephony. The future is now, and unfortunately it cannot be stopped: technology waits for no one, not even those who prefer a phone that "just does the phone". Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-12-27 15:33:30. Original title: WhatsApp non funzionerà più su questi telefoni nel 2025
