Why WhatsApp Stopped Working on Millions of Phones (and How to Fix It)
WhatsApp just ended support for another round of older versions of iOS and Android. As described in the recently updated WhatsApp system requirements , your device must be running at least iOS 10 or Android 4.1 to access WhatsApp after November 1, 2021.
Perhaps some users can update their phone’s OS to regain access if you’ve missed system updates for a while, but some of the affected devices are 6 to 10 years old and no longer supported by the OS updates themselves, so if you’re still compressing the old one iPhone, this could be another sign that it’s time to upgrade.
Here is a complete list of phones that have lost WhatsApp support as of today:
Apple
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE (2016 release)
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
- Galactic nucleus
- Galaxy SII
- Galaxy S3 mini
- Galaxy Trend II
- Galaxy Xcover 2
Sony
- Xperia Arc S
- Xperia Miro
- Xperia Neo L
ZTE
- Great note
- Grand X Quad V987
- ZTE V956
Other
- Alcatel
- Caterpillar Cat B15
- Lenovo A820
- HTC Desire 500
- Run F1
- THL W8
- UMi X2
- Wiko cink five
- Wiko darknight
The progress of WhatsApp is not surprising. At some point, all technology is left behind, and now it seems to be an annual tradition for WhatsApp. Last year, the company dropped the iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S2, and Droid Razr from its list of supported devices, and in 2019, even older Android and iPhone devices got the ax, just like all Windows phones.
We suspect there will be another round of cuts with WhatsApp inevitably updating its system requirements again in 12 months. To avoid losing access, make sure you download the latest system updates to ensure your device meets the new WhatsApp requirements. You can check your Android version and available updates in 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 be worth exploring the best alternatives to WhatsApp if you don’t feel like buying a new phone. We cannot guarantee that other chat apps will also support your super-old smartphone, but they are worth exploring if WhatsApp disconnects you today.
This article was originally published in December 2019 and was updated on December 30, 2020, followed by new WhatsApp requirements on November 1, 2021.
[ Chronicle Live ]