WHATSAPP has announced it will stop working on some smartphones in less than a month.
The latest move will leave users unable to send or receive messages from October 24.
And it affects some Android smartphones – so iPhone owners need not worry.
WhatsApp is planning to drop support for handsets running Android 4.1 – aka Android Jelly Bean.
Beyond October 24, you'll need at least Android 5.0.
The move will impact a small number of users with older smartphones.
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This will probably include dated models from the likes of Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG.
"Starting October 24, 2023, only Android OS version 5.0 and newer will be supported," WhatsApp said on its website.
"Your phone must be able to receive SMS or calls during the verification process.
"We donโt support setting up new accounts on WiFi only devices."
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If you're unsure if it affects your mobile there is a way to check.
How do I check which version of Android my phone uses?
- To find out which version of Android your phone is using, start by going to the Settings.
- Go to the very bottom and look for About phone.
- You should find your Android version number here.
Anything 5.0 or above is fine.
Android 4.1 will lose access to WhatsApp from October 24.
Check if you can update to a newer version of Android to keep using WhatsApp.
It's important to note that Android 4.1 – aka Android Jelly Bean – was released almost ten years ago.
Google had already dropped support for the operating system, meaning it's risky to use.
Unsupported software no longer receive critical updates for any security bugs that appear, which hackers may exploit.
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