WhatsApp announces list of phones no longer able to use the app in 2025
Older smartphones will now no longer be able to load the app
WhatsApp has announced which phones will no longer be compatible with the messaging app in 2025.
With 2025 just around the corner, it's out with the old, and in with the new, and as technology constantly evolves, it's becoming increasingly harder to cling onto our old devices.
WhatsApp are the first of many to release a list of the phones that will no longer be compatible with their app as we go on into 2025.
So if you're still using that iPhone 4 from way back when, then it might be time to let go.
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Meta, which owns WhatsApp, says the changes are part of regular updates they do, to ensure the app stays secure and functional while working with newer phones, Metro reports.
The first compatibility update will commence on January 1, but there's more to come later on in the year too.
The good news is that it shouldn't affect a large number of people, however.
Android users will be the most impacted, as the list includes:
- Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Ace 3, Galaxy S4 Mini
- Motorola: Moto G (1st Gen), Razr HD, Moto E 2014
- HTC: One X, One X+, Desire 500, Desire 601
- LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4, G2 Mini, L90
- Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V
iPhone users are currently safe - for now, at least. From May 5, the app will also stop working on iOS versions earlier than 15.1.
The iPhones that won’t be able to use the app from May 5 are the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and while it's easy enough for some to do a simple update, some of these models can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.
This update will also impact WhatsApp business as well as the usual system, since they run off the same settings.
But this isn't the only bombshell news that WhatsApp have dropped in recent weeks.
The messaging service also announced that a new feature that will allow users to chat with its AI assistant, ChatGPT, via the app.
In a statement, OpenAI's Antonia Woodford said (via The Independent): "We're really excited that we're bringing ChatGPT to you through two familiar channels: calling and WhatsApp.
"We care a lot about continuing to reduce barriers for more people to try out AI and see what it can do for them."
An OpenAi account is not required, but it only supports texts conversations and has a knowledge cutoff point from September 2021, The Independent says.
However, ChatGPT cannot be added to WhatsApp, with any inappropriate use of the service resulting in users being blocked.
Mia Williams