Technology
WhatsApp to BLOCK older iPhones with latest update – is yours on the list?
WHATSAPP users on iPhone are in for a bit of a shock when the latest software update rolls around in the coming weeks.
The chat app, which has more than 2billion users, is reportedly planning to block calls and texts on older models of Apple’s popular mobiles.
WhatsApp is reportedly planning to block older models of the iPhone[/caption]
The shock news comes from trusted leaker WABetaInfo, who regularly reveals upcoming WhatsApp changes with pinpoint accuracy.
In a recent Twitter post WABetainfo warned: “WhatsApp Messenger beta 2.21.50 drops the support for iOS 9.”
If true, that will mean that iPhones not running iOS10 – the latest version of Apple’s operating system – will lose access to the app, the Daily Star reports.
For anyone who has recently updated their iPhone, this won’t be a problem, as all of the firm’s most recent mobiles support iOS 10.
iPhones not running the latest version of Apple’s operating system will lose access to the app[/caption]
However, anyone who owns an iPhone 4S or older will find they’re no longer able to use WhatsApp.
That’s because these mobiles don’t support iOS 10, which Apple rolled out in September 2020.
It means the app is potentially shutting down on the following: Original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S.
WABeta info leaks upcoming WhatsApp changes by scouring through early versions of its updates called betas.
The California company could row back on its plans to pull support for iOS 9, so take the news with a pinch of salt for now.
When contacted for comment, WhatsApp said it did not comment on rumour and speculation.
NThe app is potentially shutting down on the following: Original iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S[/caption]
The chat app has dropped support for popular mobiles in the past. The move ensures that new features are compatible with users’ devices.
When WhatsApp ditched support for a swathe of phones back in 2019, the company said: “While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don’t offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app’s features in the future.
“This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp.
“If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone to continue using WhatsApp.”
Even if you survive the latest chop, WhatsApp has said it plans to delete the accounts of users who do not accept its controversial new privacy terms.
WhatsApp – a quick history
Here’s what you need to know…
- WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum – former employees of Yahoo
- It’s one of the most popular messaging services in the world
- Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like “what’s up”
- After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users
- It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users
- Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
- The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers
- As of 2020, WhatsApp has over 2billion users globally
The Facebook-owned chat service has set a deadline of May 15 for the changes, which will be rolled out to users across the globe.
The new terms, which first appeared via an in-app alert in January, sparked mass panic on social media and led to a mass exodus to rival chat apps.
Many users – reportedly numbering in the millions – jumped ship amid fears over their privacy after it was misinterpreted that the agreement permitted the app to share more data with Facebook.
WhatsApp initially handed users a cut off of February 8 to agree to the terms but pushed that back to May following fierce criticism online.
WhatsApp said it will “slowly ask” users to comply with the new terms “in order to have full functionality of WhatsApp” starting May 15.
Those who decline the agreement – distributed via a pop-up – will be blocked from sending messages and could see their accounts shut down.
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In other news, WhatsApp is having another go at getting users to accept its controversial new privacy terms.
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