WhatsApp is withdrawing support from a number of phones from today.
As what may come as a bad news for a lot of Windows OS users, the Facebook-owned messaging app will no longer support Windows Phone operating systems after 31 December, 2019, and the app might not be available on the Microsoft Store after July 1, 2019, it said in the FAQ section of the messaging platform.
WhatsApp also stated, “Because we no longer actively develop for these operating systems, some features might stop functioning at any time.”
Interestingly, the withdrawal of the services from Windows phones comes in the same month that Microsoft ends support of its Windows 10 Mobile OS. Earlier this month, under the “Windows 10 Mobile End of Support: FAQ” section of its site, the software giant announced that Windows “users are no longer eligible to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free.” However, Office apps will continue to receive support until 12 January, 2021. In its blog, Microsoft also recommended that users should shift to either Android or iOS devices to use apps on those operating sytems instead.
However, for those windows users who worried about their WhatsApp chat history and don’t want to lose all your chats and information after 31 December, 2019 there is an option to save your chats.
-Open the chat you wish to export, and tap on Group Info.
-Tap ‘Export Chat’. You’ll then be given the option to download the chat with or without media. Choose your option and export all your chats.
Apart from Windows OS, there are several Android and iOS phones that may not be able to run the app as the company will withdraw support for some older mobile platforms from 1 February, 2020.
According to the information on WhatsApp FAQ section, Android phones running on Android 2.3.7 operating system and iPhones running on iOS 8 will not support WhatsApp from next year.
Moreover, the FAQ also emphasised that these older version of Android and iOS operating systems “can no longer create new accounts, nor re-verify existing accounts after February 1, 2020.”
However, the Facebook-owned instant messaging platform will keep the app running for select phones with KaiOS 2.5.1+ OS, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2.
WhatsApp also highlighted that the decision to end WhatsApp support for these Android phones and iPhones will not affect a lot of users.
To recall, the following operating systems will not support WhatsApp from next year:
-Android versions 2.3.7 and older
-iOS 8 and older
-All Windows OS phones from 31 December, 2019
WhatsApp also listed the operating systems that the app supports and recommends users to use the following updated devices:
-Android running OS 4.0.3+
-iPhone running iOS 9+
-Select phones running KaiOS 2.5.1+, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2
Source: Livemint
