Facebook announced a series of requirements that cell phones will need to be able to use the messaging app in its 2021 update. Otherwise, WhatsApp will stop working. Thus, there are several devices with Android and iOS operating systems that will no longer be able to use the application.
To work on Android phones, they must have version 4.0.3 or later. iPhone must have iOS 9 or later. Also, phone models with KaiOS operating system will have to have 2.5.1 or later, including JioPhone and JioPhone 2 devices. This will undoubtedly put a large part of smartphones out of circulation.
This means that phones like the iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S2, LG Optimus Black and HTC Desire, which at the time were top of the range, will now be out of all support and updates. This also involves modern mid-range and low-end phones, such as the Lenovo K8, from 2017, or the Samsung Grand Neo, which was very popular at the time, and similar models.
If you have a phone with Android 4 or an iPhone 4, the express recommendation is to update as soon as possible. These devices will not only stop receiving support from Facebook and its apps, but they are also already far removed from the capabilities and needs of current apps and platforms.
WhatsApp is the most used instant messaging app in the world and with its constant update it always brings good news, but also bad news for various sectors of the population since some smartphones will stop receiving support in 2021.