These Older Phones Are Losing Support for WhatsApp Soon

Meta announced that WhatsApp will no longer support Android devices running Android Kit Kat (from 2013) or older starting January 1, 2025. This decision affects devices over 10 years old, cutting off access to WhatsApp for users still relying on outdated hardware.

Why Meta is Ending WhatsApp Support

The discontinuation stems from WhatsApp’s increasing focus on advanced features and functionalities. As Meta integrates more demanding technologies like AI capabilities and other resource-intensive updates, the company requires hardware that meets modern performance standards. Consequently, older devices cannot support these features, prompting Meta to discontinue support.

In short, modern-day WhatsApp cannot run as well or support all its features on older devices.

Devices Losing Access

Here is a list of major devices that will no longer be compatible with WhatsApp:

• 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

What Users Need to Do

If you are still using one of these devices either as a daily driver or a burner phone, you should back up your WhatsApp data and migrate it to a newer device. Failure to do so before the deadline will result in losing all media, chats, and history stored on the app.

Similar Changes for iPhones

Meta recently announced a similar policy for iPhones, ending WhatsApp support for devices running iOS versions older than 15.1. However, support for these iPhones will extend until May 2025, giving users more time to transition.

As WhatsApp continues to evolve, Meta’s focus on modernizing the platform means older devices will increasingly be left behind. For users, upgrading to newer hardware is essential to maintain access to WhatsApp’s services.