Android users warned tens of thousands of phones will stop working in 2022

OLDER phones might stop working in 2022 as 3G networks will be retired.

Other devices that use 3G, including some medical alert devices, tablets, smartwatches and home security systems might also stop operating.

Older cellphones that still use 3G will have service discontinued making it difficult to make phone calls and send texts

The older phones will likely lose the ability to text, connect to the internet and make phone calls.

AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all announced that they will discontinue 3G service to put all their focus on 4G (LTE) and 5G service next year.

AT&T will be the first to cut the cord, discontinuing service in February, according to the FCC. T-Mobile/Sprint will end service between March and July.

Verizon customers will have until the end of 2022 when their 3G service will be discontinued. 

These devices will also become vulnerable to cyber-attacks once service is discontinued.

ANDROID DEVICES THAT MAY STOP WORKING

Here is the list of older Android devices that may stop operating in 2022 when 3G service is discontinued

Archos 53 Platinum HTC Desire 500Samsung Galaxy Trend LiteSamsung Galaxy Trend IISamsung Galaxy S3 miniCatepillar Cat B15Sony Xperia MWiko Dark KnightSamsung Galaxy Xcover 2Huawei Ascend G740ZTE Grand S FlexLenovo A820Huawei Ascend MateZTE V956UMi X2Huawei Ascend D2Samsung Galaxy CoreRun F1THL W8ZTE Grand X Quad v987ZYE Grand Memo Samsung Galaxy Ace 2LG Lucid 2LG Optimus F6LG Optimus L3 II DualLG Optimus F5LG Optimus L5 IILG Optimus L5 II DualLG Optimus L3 IILG Optimus L7 II DualLG Optimus L7 IILG Optimus f6LG EnactLG Optimus L4 II DualLG Optimus F3LG Optimus L4 IiLG Optimus L2 IILG Optimus F3Q

iPHONE USERS AREN’T SAFE EITHER

iPhone users won’t be safe either as those who have held on to their iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will stop receiving updates at the end of 2022.

Users will not be able to request official repairs for their devices.

Other devices such as iPhone 4 [8GB], iPhone 4S [8GB], iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C will also be discontinued next year.

911-ONLY PHONES MAY NOT WORK

“Most users of these services will be notified directly by the carriers if this discontinuation affects them,” officials say.

However, those who use older phones for 911 purposes only might not be notified they don’t have an active service with the provider.

“It has long been the practice of some organizations for the homeless or domestic violence shelters to provide clients with older phones with no service since those phones could still be used to call 911 in an emergency,”

Officials are calling for users of those 911-only phones to be made aware that their devices might not work once 3G service is discontinued. 

Low-income users worried about their 911-only phones can apply for service through the Universal Administrative Company Lifeline program.

AlamyCustomers with older iPhones won’t be exempt from having their service cut off if they’re still using 3G[/caption]