Meta has decided to stop the WhatsApp application from working on some older Android and iPhone phones, starting next week.
According to the platform, the application wants to focus on developing new features for users on the latest versions of the operating system, in addition to taking advantage of the latest security features and technological advancement.
According to WhatsApp’s official memo, “To choose what to stop supporting, we, like other technology companies, look each year at the oldest devices and software that have the fewest people still using them. These devices may also not have the latest security updates, or “It may lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”
The list includes old smartphones such as “Nexus 7”, “iPhone 5”, “iPhone 5C”, “Arqus 53 Platinum”, “Grand S Flex ZTE”, “Grand C-Desire 500, Huawei Ascend, Huawei Ascend D1, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, LG Optimus G Pro, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Droid Razr, Sony Xperia S2, Motorola Showroom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Asus Eee, Acer Iconia Tab A5003, HTC Desire HD, LG Optimus 2X, Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc 3”.
WhatsApp surveys customers about versions that should be stopped updating, so every year, like other technology companies, it looks at older devices and software that the number of people using is still smaller.
WhatsApp drops support for old smartphone systems, in order to maintain the security of applications, which requires continuous work and updates from developers.
Meta’s products and services include Facebook, Messenger, Facebook Watch, and Facebook Portal.
In October 2021, Facebook’s parent company changed its name from Facebook Inc. to “Meta” in order to “reflect its focus on building the metaverse.” According to Meta, “metaverse” refers to the integrated environment that connects all of a company’s products and services.
