WhatsApp will stop working for millions of users this month, here’s what you need to know

The Meta-owned messaging service WhatsApp is to undergo an upgrade that will stop it working on millions of devices this month. The app will cease to work on 49 different phones, including older Android andiPhonedevices as well as several Huawei, LG and Samsung models.

Only devices that are able to install an update will be able to support WhatsApp after 31 December, although users will receive a warning from the company before this happens, as per the Daily Mail.

Security updates

In order for devices to support the messaging app, you will need to be running the latest operating system. If you want to check on your iPhone, go to ‘general’ settings and select ‘software update’. If it still doesn’t work then you will need a newer model that supports the app.

Commenting on the change, a WhatsApp spokesperson said, as per the Daily Mail:

Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.

To keep up with the latest advances in tech, we routinely stop supporting older operating systems to point our resources to supporting the latest ones

Which phones?

A list of the 49 phones that will stop supporting WhatsApp next month is as follows, according to India Today:

Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 5c

Archos 53 Platinum

Grand S Flex ZTE

Grand X Quad V987 ZTE

HTC Desire 500

Huawei Ascend D

Huawei Ascend D1

Huawei Ascend D2

Huawei Ascend G740

Huawei Ascend Mate

Huawei Ascend P1

Quad XL

Lenovo A820

LG Enact

LG Lucid 2

LG Optimus 4X HD

LG Optimus F3

LG Optimus F3Q

LG Optimus F5

LG Optimus F6

LG Optimus F7

LG Optimus L2 II

LG Optimus L3 II

LG Optimus L3 II Dual

LG Optimus L4 II

LG Optimus L4 II Dual

LG Optimus L5

LG Optimus L5 Dual

LG Optimus L5 II

LG Optimus L7

LG Optimus L7 II

LG Optimus L7 II Dual

LG Optimus Nitro HD

Memo ZTE V956

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2

Samsung Galaxy Core

Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung Galaxy S3 mini

Samsung Galaxy Trend II

Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite

Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2

Sony Xperia Arc S

Sony Xperia miro

Sony Xperia Neo L

Wiko Cink Five

Wiko Darknight ZT

Sources used:

- DailyMail 'WhatsApp set to stop working on 49 smartphones for millions of users this month during major upgrade'

- India Today'WhatsApp will stop working on 49 phones from December 31, check the full list'