Windows 10 mobile phone users will now be unable to use WhatsApp, to be exact, from the beginning of 2020. It’s no surprise news for the Windows mobile phone users though because Facebook-owned WhatsApp already announced the news in the month of May 2019. The fact not only means no more updates but also means that you’ll not be able to use WhatsApp on a Windows mobile any further.
But that shouldn’t be much of a problem. Because Windows phones are long gone from the market. The last release was in 2015 and even Microsoft’s Surface Duo which is set to release in 2020 will run Android applications and not Windows. Users of Windows phones can still, however, access the WhatsApp website and chat from there using their mobile phone’s browser.
WhatsApp Keeps Out Older Android and iOS
In the case of Android-powered devices, there are few mobile phones and tablets that are still running in Android 2.3.7. Referring to these types of devices, its users will eventually be unable to use the WhatsApp messenger two months from now. Because WhatsApp announced that along with Windows it will end support for Android devices running on versions below 2.3.7 and iOS versions below iOS 8 from February 1st.
Devices and OS Now to Use
Facebook-owned WhatsApp has confirmed that it will support only a few devices. The list of OS versions on which WhatsApp will be available and recommended using are:
- Android Operating System running on 4.0.3 (KitKat) and above.
- Apple iPhones running on iOS 9 or above.
- KaiOS version 2.5.1 and above including Jio phone and Jio phone 2.
Rise of Certain Problems
A large number of people, though not a large percentage, will be much affected by the decision made by WhatsApp.
Google has confirmed that 0.3 % of the users are still using the old version of Android OS. Similarly, Apple has also released its statistics. Only 5% of iOS users are still using iOS version 10 or earlier.
However, there are many senior members in our family who use mobile phones running these older OS. They use these mobiles for basic communication.
This decision made by WhatsApp encourages users to pick up new mobiles, which unfortunately to the seniors, are more complex to operate. So, people, mostly seniors, not familiar with the latest gadgets and the flexibility of new Operating Systems will face difficulties after this decision. And, it is also possible that they will be in a way forced to cut off communication with friends and family.
Add Comment