In a recent blog post, WhatsApp announced that it will end support for BlackBerry 10, Android 2.1, Android 2.2, Nokia S40, Symbian S60 and Windows Phone 7.1.
WhatsApp for BlackBerry 10
WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned cross-platform messaging client, will stop supporting older versions of mobile operating systems by the end of 2016. If you’re using WhatsApp on an older BlackBerry device running BB 10, then you may have to upgrade to a PRIV to get support.
Same is the case with older Android smartphones that are still running Android 2.1 and 2.2, you’re going to have to upgrade to a newer device. Other mobile operating systems such as Nokia’s Symbian S60 and S40 will also not be supported. If you’re also using a Windows Phone device that runs Windows Phone 7.1, once again, you’re going to have to upgrade.
The messaging client turned seven years old recently, and they want to look forwards to the next seven years. The company wants to focus more on the new operating systems that people currently use. When the app was released in 2009, almost 70 percent of phones were running BlackBerry OS or Symbian.
Now, around 99.5 percent of mobile phones run on Android, iOS and Windows Phone. BB OS and Symbian are almost obsolete. It’s probably for the best that WhatsApp decided to end support for older devices and operating systems. WhatsApp states that the older operating systems don’t offer the features that consumers will look forward to.
If you’re still using an older device that runs one of the non-supported operating systems, then WhatsApp recommends you to upgrade. Get a new smartphone that runs the latest Android, iOS or Windows Phone OS to continue using WhatsApp. However, you still have time till the end of this year to upgrade.
WhatsApp will start phasing out support for the operating systems one by one and we’re not sure when they’ll initiate the process. The company recently made WhatsApp free for everyone and removed all subscription fees.