WhatsApp to Stop Supporting Over 20 Android Phones in 2025
WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging app owned by Meta and is used by millions of Android users worldwide. As the app evolves and technology advances, so do the system requirements. Starting January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer work on some older Android phones. Why WhatsApp is Stopping Support for Older Devices? WhatsApp is innovating and introducing new features and older devices running on Android KitKat or earlier can no longer keep up. According to HDblog on December 20, this will affect over 20 Android devices. Meta’s other apps like Facebook and Instagram might also have compatibility issues on these aging phones. Some of the affected devices are from brands like HTC and LG which have already stopped producing phones. WhatsApp is focusing on newer technologies and phasing out support for older devices to enhance user experience. Which Phones Will Lose WhatsApp Access? All devices that will lose WhatsApp support are at least 10 years old. This means most modern devices even 5 or 6 years old will be unaffected. But users of the following phones should prepare for the change: 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, Optimus G, Nexus 4 LG: G2 Mini, L90 Sony: Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V What to Do If Affected? If you have one of the phones above, you need to act now. First backup all your WhatsApp chats to a Google account. This backup will ensure you can restore your conversations seamlessly on a newer device. To backup your chats: 1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings. 2. Go to Chats > Chat Backup. 3. Tap Back Up and make sure it syncs to your Google account. Once you have backed up your data, consider upgrading to a newer phone to continue using WhatsApp and other apps without interruptions. The Bigger Picture This highlights the tech industry’s challenge of balancing innovation and accessibility. Phasing out support for older devices may inconvenience some users but it allows platforms like WhatsApp to optimize their apps for modern devices and have a smoother and more secure experience for the majority. Conclusion As WhatsApp says goodbye to older Android phones, users must adapt to the changing tech landscape. Upgrade to a newer device and backup your data and you can continue to use WhatsApp seamlessly in 2025 and beyond.
WhatsApp Launches New Features: Channels and QR Code Sharing
WhatsApp Expands Channels: A Feature for All WhatsApp launched Channels over a year ago as a one-way, read-only platform intended to update followers with what an individual, celebrity, or brand is up to. Though it was first pitched to bigger influencers and companies, everyone can use the channels nowadays. It’s easy whether you’re an emerging local artist, an owner of a small business, or even just an ordinary user- building a WhatsApp channel is a piece of cake now. Currently, users can share their channels through standard methods like URLs. Advanced sharing tools, however, like QR codes, are glaringly absent. This may change soon as WhatsApp is reportedly testing a QR code feature for Channels. QR Code Sharing in WhatsApp Beta According to WABetaInfo, a new Channels QR code generation is now available for beta testing in the WhatsApp beta for Android v2.24.25.7. It previously appeared in an older beta version, v2.24.22.20, but was not widely implemented. Now, after over a month of development, the feature is slowly coming close to being implemented in the application. Encouragingly, the same evidence has appeared for the iOS version of WhatsApp beta, indicating that the feature for QR code sharing of Channels will be widely available on all platforms. An official date for the release of the stable version, however, remains unknown. Media Sharing Enhancements The inclusion of QR code functionality is part of the continuing effort of WhatsApp to enhance user experience. In recent beta updates, the app has added enhancements to its media-sharing capabilities. For instance, the Gallery shortcut has been added to the text box of the chat, replacing the former Camera shortcut. This move is aimed at streamlining media sharing by making it easier to access photos and videos. In subsequent beta updates, WhatsApp reinstated the Camera shortcut in addition to the Gallery option, thus affording users more flexibility. These updates speak to the fact that WhatsApp is always looking to refine its interface based on what users have to say about it. November 2024: A Month of Important Updates Besides beta updates, the stable version of WhatsApp received major updates in November 2024. Amongst these are the introduction of Lists, a feature that seeks to declutter conversations. Users can organize chats through preset and custom filters so that they can better manage their personal and professional communications. Another major update is the highly anticipated voice transcription feature that allows users to translate voice messages into texts. It is a welcome innovation, especially for users who can’t listen to voice messages either because of their time constraint or environmental factors. This shows that WhatsApp, under the leadership of Meta, has continued to change with time. A Brighter Future for WhatsApp Features WhatsApp is committed to its ease of use and accessibility. Since Channels, through the introduction of QR code sharing, which is now still being developed with more intuitive tools, it is ahead in innovation of messaging apps. And with this feature being gradually rolled out, WhatsApp users will soon experience a much smoother and flexible way of communicating. Although the time when QR code sharing is fully implemented is not known, the regular updates and testing are good omens for the future of WhatsApp users. Source: WABetainfo