Recently, WhatsApp has undergone a number of changes, introducing intriguing new features that have enhanced the software for its billions of users.
While you can now make your discussions even more safe with the Chat Lock feature, store vanishing messages, and even use your WhatsApp on several devices, you may also modify your messages for the first time, providing you do it within a 15-minute interval.
However, the most recent upgrade can be terrible news for owners of some phones, particularly those who use Galaxy Android devices.
That’s because those devices are about to block the app, but can you find out which ones are impacted and prevent it from happening?
Why is WhatsApp being blocked on some phones?
Following the chat app’s announcement that it would discontinue supporting devices with Android operating systems older than 5.0, WhatsApp will be prohibited on some phones.
In other words, you won’t be able to use WhatsApp any longer or access your private or group messages if you have an older phone with an older OS.
And the transformation will take place very soon.
According to the company’s support website, only Android OS versions 5.0 and later will be supported beginning on October 24, 2023.
We frequently discontinue supporting older operating systems to focus our resources on maintaining the most recent ones in order to stay up with the most recent technological advancements.
“If we stop supporting your operating system, you’ll get a notice and a few reminders to upgrade your device to keep using WhatsApp,” the statement reads.
What mobile devices are impacted by the change?
The update will have an impact on the following mobile devices:
Galaxy S4 and Note 3
Since neither of the aforementioned devices has had an OS update since Android Lollipop 5.0 and has never been updated to version 5.1.1, they will no longer be able to support WhatsApp.
As they already have the official Android 6 Marshmallow upgrade, other smartphones like the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 won’t be impacted.
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.
