Older Android models, including the Galaxy S3, will no longer support WhatsApp services starting from 1st January.
Starting January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer support devices running Android KitKat (released in 2013) or older. This decision is primarily due to the older operating systems' inability to meet current security, performance, and feature requirements, limiting WhatsApp's ability to innovate and secure its platform effectively.
The move allows WhatsApp to implement advanced features that rely on modern OS capabilities, such as enhanced encryption, improved multimedia sharing, and more robust privacy controls. These advanced features may include better security protocols aligned with recent Android permission models and support for richer messaging experiences that older devices cannot handle efficiently.
Some of the Android devices losing WhatsApp support include Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy Ace 3, Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), HTC One X, LG Optimus G, Sony Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia T, Xperia V, and many others. Similarly, certain iPhones will also lose support, with the end date set for May 2025. These include the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c, among others.
To avoid losing media and chat history, users of devices that will continue to support WhatsApp after the respective support ends should back up their WhatsApp data on the new devices before the support ends. If you don't get a new smartphone by January 1, 2025 (for Android devices) or May 2025 (for certain iPhones), you'll have to use SMS instead of WhatsApp.
WhatsApp's decision to discontinue support for certain devices is driven by the need to implement more advanced features and AI functionalities that require modern hardware. This policy reflects a broader trend in mobile app development where support for legacy operating systems is phased out to prioritize security and performance on up-to-date platforms.
[1] WhatsApp Blog Post
[2] The Verge Article
- The end of WhatsApp's support for Android KitKat and older devices will enable the implementation of advanced features like enhanced encryption, improved multimedia sharing, and more robust privacy controls, as stated in the WhatsApp Blog Post (1).
- WhatsApp is transitioning towards supporting devices with modern operating systems in order to implement cutting-edge AI functionalities that necessitate advanced gadgets, smartphones, and technology, as mentioned in The Verge Article (2).
